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Denver Broncos: 6 Biggest surprises so far in 2019

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: A.J. Johnson #45 of the Denver Broncos carries the U.S. flag onto the field next to a service member in recognition of Veteran's Day during player introductions before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: A.J. Johnson #45 of the Denver Broncos carries the U.S. flag onto the field next to a service member in recognition of Veteran's Day during player introductions before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 13: Linebacker A.J. Johnson #45 of the Denver Broncos tackles running back Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on October 13, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Titans 16-0. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 13: Linebacker A.J. Johnson #45 of the Denver Broncos tackles running back Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on October 13, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Titans 16-0. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Surprise 3: The emergence of Alexander “The Dino” Johnson

After slumming through the first part of the season with Josey Jewell and Corey Nelson while Todd Davis was recovering from injury, the Broncos have found the winning combination at inside linebacker in Vic Fangio’s defense with a healthy Davis and Alexander Johnson.

Johnson, a second-year player who was signed by the Broncos late in camp last year, was pretty much an afterthought in Vance Joseph’s defense and was, in fact, cut and put on the practice squad at one point last season.

The Broncos didn’t insert Johnson into the lineup until their fifth game of the season (@Chargers) but Johnson has been one of the best defensive players in the entire league since that point.

Seriously.

https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1190271280173502464

As Chad Jensen notes there, Johnson has the most tackles of any Broncos linebacker in the first five starts of his career.

It’s absolutely astounding what Johnson has been able to do, but he’s not just cleaning up the back end of plays, either. He’s absolutely wrecking plays and doing a fine job in coverage as well.

The Broncos decided not to draft Devin Bush in April in part because they liked some of their young guys at inside linebacker, namely Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson.

Johnson has provided the Broncos with more than a first-round type of player in the past five weeks. Hopefully, it continues through to the end of the 2019 season.

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