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Denver Broncos: What to expect from the rookies in 2018

By Sayre Bedinger

ENGLEWOOD, CO - APRIL 28: Denver Broncos second round draft pick Courtland Sutton during his introductory press conference at Dove Valley April 28, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - APRIL 28: Denver Broncos second round draft pick Courtland Sutton during his introductory press conference at Dove Valley April 28, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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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) /

Defense

Bradley Chubb, DE/OLB

The Broncos were understandably giddy when Chubb fell to them with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

He is a dynamic edge player who will be an outside linebacker in base packages and defensive end in sub packages.

Chubb will likely be the Broncos’ starting outside linebacker and should play a significant number of snaps as a rookie, potentially in the top five for Broncos defenders. He’s an every-down defender and despite the fact that the Broncos have to find ways to get other players involved, Chubb will play a huge role.

Isaac Yiadom, CB

Broncos third-round pick Isaac Yiadom was another gem found at the 2018 Senior Bowl where the team was able to coach him up and see him up-close-and-personal for a full week before the Draft.

Yiadom has great length and press-man ability, and with the number three cornerback spot up for grabs, Yiadom has a chance to either be prominently featured in 2018, or play a primary special teams role while developing behind Tramaine Brock, competing with Brendan Langley and Marcus Rios.

Josey Jewell, LB

Jewell was a fourth-round pick, but he has generated as much or more hype this offseason from fans as any other rookie on the roster.

His instincts at the linebacker position and natural football intelligence will earn him a lot of snaps as a rookie. It’s not impossible to think he will split reps down the middle with starter Todd Davis, or perhaps even out-snap Davis in his rookie season.

Keishawn Bierria, LB

Bierria was a very productive starter for a few years at Washington, where he played on an excellent Huskies defense.

He will be looked to for special teams production in his rookie season primarily, but if injuries pop up at inside linebacker, he may be the first in line behind Josey Jewell.

Jeff Holland, OLB

The Broncos have a gem on their hands in Jeff Holland, a pass rusher from Auburn who impressed coaches in a big way at OTAs.

If he is productive throughout the preseason, there’s no reason to think the Broncos won’t find a spot for him on the 53-man roster and get him involved on special teams.

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