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Denver Broncos 2017 rookie class review and predictions for 2018

By Sayre Bedinger

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Offensive tackle Garett Bolles #72 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Offensive tackle Garett Bolles #72 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked by defensive end DeMarcus Walker #57 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 27-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked by defensive end DeMarcus Walker #57 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 27-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

DeMarcus Walker, DL

The Broncos took Walker in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and almost immediately transitioned him to the outside linebacker position.

That was a move I hated from the start.

Walker played his best football in college from the interior defensive line, and until the Broncos realized he wasn’t a strong outside linebacker just based on his overall skills as a football player, he was ineffective as a rookie.

Late in the season, the Broncos moved Walker back to the defensive line for the same reason (allegedly) that they moved him to outside linebacker — injuries.

When he moved back to the defensive line, he showed he could be very productive and played some of his best football down the final stretch of the season.

He capped it off with a four-pressure game against the Chiefs and his first sack of the season.

I think for next season, Walker will bulk up a bit and move to the defensive line permanently, where he belongs. I feel like he can be effective against both the run and the pass, though he won’t be able to play every single down, and the Broncos don’t need him to.

They have a nice group of defensive linemen returning next season, and Walker I think will be a key piece of the rotation.

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