Denver Broncos: Five players flying under the radar

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 31: Defensive back Dymonte Thomas #35 of the Denver Broncos lines up against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 31: Defensive back Dymonte Thomas #35 of the Denver Broncos lines up against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 26: nose tackle Zach Kerr #92 of the Denver Broncos is helped off the field by the training staff in the first quarter during a Preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 26, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 26: nose tackle Zach Kerr #92 of the Denver Broncos is helped off the field by the training staff in the first quarter during a Preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 26, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Zach Kerr, DL

The Broncos’ defensive line depth is so good, pretty much no one is talking about Zach Kerr, who emerged over the course of last season as a very disruptive player against both the run and pass.

The Broncos don’t list Kerr at the nose tackle position despite his size (6-foot-2, 322 pounds) but he is very disruptive on the interior and can play all positions on the Broncos’ defensive front.

Last offseason, the Broncos signed Kerr and Domata Peko on the same day, and those two might end up playing major roles for this team’s run defense yet again this season.

Kerr started the season less than 100 percent due to injury, but as he got healthy, it became clear why the Broncos coveted him as an early free agent signing in 2017.

Kerr has excellent strength and quickness off the ball, and his versatility allows the Broncos to get pressure at any point in the game with any rotation of players up front. Last season, Denver used a combination on the defensive front of Kerr, Deiontrez Mount, DeMarcus Walker, and Shaquil Barrett rushing four on five and got a hit on the quarterback.

This is a player who can and will make a difference if he’s healthy.