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Denver Broncos: Who makes the roster at outside linebacker in 2020?

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Linebacker Justin Hollins #52 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a sack against quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Linebacker Justin Hollins #52 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a sack against quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Derrek Tuszka
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 31: Defensive end Derrek Tuszka #91 of the North Dakota State Bison lines up before the snap during his team’s game against the Butler Bulldogs at Target Field on August 31, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Derrek Tuszka

Derrek Tuszka is a super-athletic rookie coming from a program where he played almost exclusively with his hand in the dirt, and he’ll now be tasked with standing up off the edge and playing an outside linebacker role in Vic Fangio’s defense.

As a player who trusts his gut, Tuszka can find himself in trouble at times with over-pursuit, but you can’t help but love the hustle and play speed from the first quarter to the fourth quarter with this guy.

Tuszka’s highest athletic comp was Derek Barnett, a former first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles. A lot of times when guys are coming from the FCS, you see outstanding production but not always great athletic ability.

Tuszka has a combination of both and despite the fact that he mostly has experience with his hand in the dirt, he strikes me as the kind of guy who, like Malik Reed, is going to absolutely show out in preseason play because he’s not going to back down when he’s on the field and he’s going to constantly give linemen fits with his effort.

The Broncos will want to see more discipline in Tuszka’s overall game, but this guy hits hard, he plays fast, and he can make plays in the backfield.

So who’s making the roster?

This is a great question, and it’s a tough one.

As of right now, like I said in the introduction I think all of these guys have a shot to make it, especially if the Broncos classify Justin Hollins as an EDGE/ILB hybrid type of player.

The big question marks here will be Attaochu, Hollins, and Tuszka. If the Broncos only keep one or two of those guys, what will they prioritize? Hollins has the versatility and special teams production. Tuszka is going to give you that added pass rush. Attaochu is the most experienced guy and had the best 2019 tape.

The Broncos may try to stash Tuszka on their practice squad and keep the rest of the guys in 2020, a risky move to be certain, especially if Tuszka shows out in preseason play.

Next. Broncos 53-man roster prediction and depth chart. dark

Hopefully, they don’t lose out on any of these guys for 2020 or beyond. And are able to craft a deep rotation off the edge of young players going forward.

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