Linebacker
Alexander Johnson, Keishawn Bierria, Josh Watson, & Jamal Carter
The Broncos are pretty well set at the outside linebacker position with the best edge duo in the NFL in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, backed up by rookies Justin Hollins and Malik Reed.
The Broncos have seen a lot of good and bad from all three of the players mentioned above.
Johnson, of all three, seems to have played the most snaps with the top defense and is still seemingly getting his playing feet underneath him. The Broncos signed Johnson late in camp last year and he spent the year on and off the roster, but ultimately it does feel like the front office has quite a bit of faith in him.
Keishawn Bierria made the best play I’ve seen him make as a member of the team against the Rams with the goal line tackle of the tight end that resulted in a turnover on downs. He was on the active roster all of last season, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where he made the most significant contributions.
Jamal Carter moved to linebacker from the safety position, and he hasn’t been moved back. That has to be at least somewhat of a good sign, right?
The Broncos have some injury issues at linebacker right now and they need bodies. It would shock no one if they made a trade for depth here, and I suggested a bunch of names but most recently, Nathan Gerry of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Undrafted free agent Josh Watson has looked solid in his opportunities, but he hasn’t done anything to make me think the Broncos won’t be able to develop him on the practice squad for a little while longer.
With Todd Davis and Joe Jones questionable for the start of the season, I think we’ll see two of these guys on the initial iteration of the 53-man roster.