Denver Broncos: Adam Gotsis has been fantastic for second year in a row

Former second-round pick Adam Gotsis has been fantastic for the Denver Broncos two years in a row. He is getting it done in a variety of ways.

If the Denver Broncos had been able to beat the Cleveland Browns (what a sad statement), defensive lineman Adam Gotsis would have been a major reason why.

Gotsis put on a complete display of his arsenal of skills, racking up five tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and a batted pass.

It wasn’t just filling the stat sheet for Gotsis, though. It was the way it happened and the timing of some of his big plays.

Batted pass

Gotsis had a big batted pass on a second down play in the first half of the game with the score tied at 10 apiece.

Baker Mayfield dropped back to pass and Gotsis recognized a quick set by the rookie quarterback. Jarvis Landry was open about four yards from the line of scrimmage with a chance to gain some yards after the catch and help the Browns get some positive momentum offensively after picking off a Case Keenum pass in the end zone.

Gotsis would have none of it.

He used his 34.5-inch arm to get in the way of a Mayfield pass, which he has done incredibly well all season.

Fact: Adam Gotsis and Derek Wolfe have combined for 10 batted passes this season. The Broncos as a team lead the NFL in passes batted at the line of scrimmage.

Strip-sack

This was one of the biggest plays of the game, and it’s a shame it didn’t contribute to a victory.

The Browns got the ball to start the second half, and despite moving mostly east and west, they were controlling the clock and held the ball for more than half of the third quarter. They had barely made it to midfield when they went for it on a 4th-and-3, and the Broncos’ defense still couldn’t get off the field.

The game was in a10-10 tie, and the Broncos’ defense needed to find a way to get off the field, hopefully at this point just giving up three points at the most.

Gotsis decided there would be none of that.

With less than six minutes on the clock in the third quarter (all of this time consumed on one possession for the Browns), Gotsis burst through the line of scrimmage and used his length and quickness to get to Mayfield, knocking the ball loose from his hand before he could get rid of it.

The Browns’ drive ended with no points despite holding the ball for over nine minutes.

Fact: Gotsis has two sacks, two forced fumbles, and six quarterback hits this season. All career highs.

TFL

Perhaps the most impressive and timely play of the game for Gotsis was his tackle for loss late in the fourth quarter.

The Browns appeared to have a first down on a David Njoku reception, but a favorable spot for the Broncos and inconclusive replay determined the ball to be short of the line to gain.

The Browns opted to take a risk and go for it on fourth down (a novel concept) and Gotsis ensured that play’s failure.

He burst through the middle of the line and suffocated rookie running back Nick Chubb, making one of the best tackles for loss we’ve seen from a Broncos defender all season.

Fact: Gotsis has the 8th-highest run stop percentage in the NFL (PFF)

Bottom Line

The bottom line here is, Gotsis has not only been one of the most improved defensive players on the Broncos this season, but he’s also been one of the best consistently over the past two seasons. He’s given the Broncos great reps in the run game, but he’s blossoming as a pass rusher as well.

Pass rush goes beyond sacks and QB hits. Gotsis is getting a good enough rush to have five batted passes this season to go along with his pair of forced fumbles and two sacks. He’s having a phenomenal all-around year and deserves some recognition for it.