Denver Broncos: Josey Jewell is an instant impact player

Linebacker is a position lacking consistency over the years with the Denver Broncos, but there’s an answer on the roster.

The 2015-16 Super Bowl defense for the Denver Broncos featured two stud young linebackers who worked together for a full season.

Both Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall encountered injuries throughout their careers before that season, preventing them from being on the field together for any significant length of time.

Oftentimes it was one or the other with the defense and rarely both.

In 2015, it all came together. Unfortunately, it was short-lived and Trevathan left in free agency. Thus, there was no continuity at the position for the Broncos.

Under contract now until 2021, Marshall needs a partner in crime again. The Denver Broncos may have answered his prayers with the draft pick of Josey Jewell in the fourth round, from the University of Iowa.

Jewell is not the most athletic linebacker, but his instincts are otherworldly. Lance Zierlein tweeted a clip of Jewell sensing a reverse before the pitch ever occurred:

Furthermore, Jewell’s intuition makes him good in pass coverage as well.

Old school in nature, the Broncos’ new linebacker plays sound football in all phases. Here’s a clip from the Nebraska game this past season.

Jewell recognizes with his eyes the play is a screen shooting through the hole to tackle the running back instantly. The best part of Jewell’s entire game is his sure tackling and nose for the football or ball carrier.

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Whether in pass coverage, run defense, sideline to sideline, or gap technique, Jewell is great at taking coaching and responding. This is a big reason why the Denver Broncos favor Big Ten talent over some of the other conferences. The Big Ten is one of the few conferences that produces regular NFL ready talent and Jewell is no exception.

In fact, the phrase “NFL ready” makes Jewell an interesting player to watch come Training Camp.

Todd Davis re-signed this offseason to a 3-year $15 million dollar contract. It was a nice raise. However, Davis’ future might be in doubt. The Denver Broncos have shown faith in Davis, but that faith has never resulted in anything game-changing.

Jewell can soak up a playbook in about five minutes.

Do not be surprised if Jewell starts at some point this season.

This is a great deal of faith in the scouting department by the Broncos. Josey Jewell was not the best linebacker in the 2018 draft on paper. But, when all is said and done, other teams will wish they drafted Jewell.

As has been noted in my podcast recently, Jewell is a steal in the fourth round. I spent time in my recent podcast breaking down all of Denver’s draft picks.

Jewell, based on his traits, is headed in the right direction to be an instant impact player on the Broncos’ defense year one. The Broncos upgraded at linebacker with “The Outlaw” — Josey Jewell.