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Denver Broncos roster overview after the 2018 NFL Draft

By Sayre Bedinger

ENGLEWOOD, CO - APRIL 27: President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway, left, and Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph, right, present their 1st round draft pick Bradley Chubb, center, with a Broncos jersey at Dove Valley April 27, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - APRIL 27: President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway, left, and Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph, right, present their 1st round draft pick Bradley Chubb, center, with a Broncos jersey at Dove Valley April 27, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 19: Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) celebrates a sack during the first half of a game between the Denver Broncos and the visiting Cincinnati Bengals on November 19, 2017 at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO.(Photo by Russell Lansford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 19: Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) celebrates a sack during the first half of a game between the Denver Broncos and the visiting Cincinnati Bengals on November 19, 2017 at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO.(Photo by Russell Lansford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

I love the Broncos’ defensive front.

Derek Wolfe is finally fully healthy again, and he’s excited to get back to work after some grueling years, battling through spine issues and constant pain or numbness.

Wolfe is one of the most underrated players on the Broncos’ defense, and he’s talked this offseason about being the guy who does a lot of the grunt work up front to set up opportunities for the other pass rushers.

His presence at defensive end has helped set the tone for the Broncos’ resurgent run defense.

Last year, the Broncos added another couple of players who upgraded their run defense in a big way, starting with nose tackle Domata Peko. When the Broncos signed Peko, I was somewhat underwhelmed due to his age and decline in production, but getting him in Bill Kollar’s room and putting him in a 3-4 alignment resurrected the dominance we’d once seen from him.

He was a great pickup, and so was Zach Kerr.

The Indianapolis Colts didn’t tender Kerr, a restricted free agent, making him available for no draft compensation. That was a huge mistake on their part, and their mistake was the Broncos’ gain.

Kerr was very good for the Broncos when healthy, and can play inside or outside.

The legal/off-field situation surrounding Adam Gotsis is a huge question mark right now. On the field, Gotsis was one of the team’s most improved players in 2017. He excelled in run defense and seemingly made at least one or two tackles for loss every week.

The Broncos drafted DeMarcus Walker in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida State, and mistakenly moved him to outside linebacker. Walker will move back to the defensive line this season, and I think he will be an absolute terror as an interior rusher.

Speaking of, the Broncos greatest ‘find’ last offseason may have been Shelby Harris, a reserve/futures contract signee who played his butt off and became one of the team’s top interior pass rushers. He also made some huge plays on special teams.

Harris’ emergence was a pleasant surprise, but even with he and Walker on the inside, the Broncos went out and picked up veteran Clinton McDonald in free agency this offseason.

McDonald brings leadership and pass rush ability from the interior defensive line. He’s been productive in that role for a long time in this league, and gives the Broncos another great option on passing downs.

For the second straight year, Kyle Peko was on the Broncos’ active roster and provides a depth option at nose tackle.

Other defensive linemen to watch:

Paul Boyette Jr.: Squatty frame at 6-foot-1, 310 pounds, Boyette is a candidate for backup nose tackle duties as a reserve/future signee.

Jhaustin Thomas: Thomas is a five technique with very intriguing size and athletic measurables. He was signed to the practice squad last year and has upside.

DeShawn Williams: It would not surprise me to see Williams emerge as a playmaker on the defensive line this offseason. He has had a couple of dominant preseasons with the Bengals, but was unable to put it together for a regular season. He’s another pass rushing three technique.

Lowell Lotulelei: Brother of former Panthers first round pick Star Lotulelei who flashed big time potential in his time at Utah, but seemed lazy and uninterested this past season. Hopefully Bill Kollar can extract the best out of him.

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