Justin Strnad, linebacker
This next player is a wild card.
The Denver Broncos addressed multiple needs on defense in the draft. Whether it was secondary or front seven, Denver made sure they added someone in the draft. This player has a skill set that will become useful in more ways than some of the others.
Justin Strnad is a flexible defender capable of being safety or a linebacker. Fangio and Strnad came out to say the plan is currently to see linebacker. This decision is interesting.
The Denver Broncos have Todd Davis and Alexander Johnson as starters on the front seven. Both are tremendous run stuffers and Johnson is qualified in pass coverage to maintain his area to stay with running backs and sometimes tight ends. However, both are not nearly as athletic as Strnad.
Strnad’s flexibility to stretch the defense out can be a huge success if it pans out. He is qualified to assume coverage of tight ends more athletic than others and running backs that are dynamic pass catchers. He has a lot of Fred Warner in his game where he is a twitchy and good size and speed at linebacker.
Like we mentioned above with Michael Ojemudia, there are offenses that have multiple playmakers. Strnad’s presence on the defense when they play Kansas City twice, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and others will be fruitful for the team.
Like many of the rookies though, they will have to make their presence known first on special teams. Strnad will see action their to start but can move up the depth chart and playtime latter.
The athleticism of Strnad will be interesting because sometimes like speed you can’t keep a player off the field like that for long. At some point, the defense will need his skill set.