Denver Broncos: Top 15 moves over the last three offseasons

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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 01: Linebacker Alexander Johnson #45 of the Denver Broncos stands on the field before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

6. Signing Alexander Johnson (2018)

During training camp in 2018, the Denver Broncos made a transaction that popped up seemingly out of nowhere.

The team signed linebacker Alexander Johnson, AKA “AJ” Johnson, a former Tennessee Volunteers star who had been out of football since the end of the 2014 college season.

He was acquitted of rape charges in 2018 and subsequently was pursued by a wide variety of NFL teams including the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins.

The Broncos signed Johnson to a three-year contract and basically gave him a redshirt for the 2018 season.

In 2019, he again made the regular-season roster but didn’t play much in the early stages. That is, until he was inserted into the lineup after four games of the Broncos struggling to find their way defensively.

He instantly became a star for Denver’s defense, racking up 93 total tackles in just 12 starts with five tackles for loss, an interception, two forced fumbles, four quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks.

Johnson has now become a key piece of the Denver defense and one of the team’s most important players for 2020.

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