How the Denver Broncos could replace Derek Wolfe

Defensive end Derek Wolfe left the Mile High City to sign with the Baltimore Ravens. How will the Denver Broncos fill this void?

The Denver Broncos will be missing a player in 2020 who had seven sacks during the 2019 regular season.

Defensive end Derek Wolfe agreed to a 1-year contract worth up to $6 million with the Baltimore Ravens, resulting in the Broncos losing a leader and strong player for the team in their first season in Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme.

Wolfe was a strong force on the defensive line, recording 34 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass deflection along with his career-high seven sacks.

A problem he faced during his NFL career with the Broncos is that he just couldn’t stay healthy. In his eight NFL seasons with Denver, Wolfe only played all 16 games in a season three times. But when he was healthy, he was reliable.

So, how do the Denver Broncos fill the void left with Wolfe’s departure?

Listed at the defensive end position for the Broncos are Dre’Mont Jones and DeMarcus Walker. Deyon Sizer could be a player to watch try to earn a spot on the 53-man roster for the 2020 season.

The Broncos are likely to look in the NFL Draft for depth at the position. They currently have 10 picks in this year’s draft.

Sayre Bedinger recently listed several defensive linemen that could help the Broncos in 2020. Check them out here.

Defensive end is not often talked about for the Broncos in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Now that Wolfe is gone, filling this void could and should be a high priority for the team. They could look at Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa, TCU’s Ross Blacklock, or Auburn’s Marlon Davidson, to name a few.

After what appears to be a potentially successful free agency period for the team, picking up a high-profile defensive end does not appear to be on the table.

Whatever they do to find Wolfe’s replacement, it may take a few years for the player(s) to find a groove in a new and successful system like Vic Fangio’s.