Denver Broncos: Sleepers at every position this offseason

Linebacker: Dekoda Watson

Well the Broncos traded a fifth-round pick for Watson, so he’d better be playing a significant role, right?

If Watson ends up making the Broncos’ final roster — and I assume he will — I think the motivations for bringing him in are pretty clear.

When Watson was with the Broncos before, he was lost in the numbers game off the edge as the team just simply had too many good playmakers for him to get significant work as an edge rusher.

I think he can have success again as a backup edge player and special teamer, and the Broncos clearly valued his abilities in both areas because Watson looks like the team’s answer for losing Shaquil Barrett.

Barrett, who was the Broncos’ primary edge reserve the past five years, was also one of the team’s best special teams players.

Watson can help replace him in both spots.