Denver Broncos roster prediction: Who makes it at inside linebacker?

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
2 of 6
Denver Broncos, Josey Jewell
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 11: Linebacker Josey Jewell #47 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive play against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Josey Jewell

As of right now, Josey Jewell is the presumptive top backup at inside linebacker on the Denver Broncos’ depth chart.

Jewell’s first two years in the NFL have not gone the way many (including myself) had hoped, and my hope was that he would be exactly who he was in the pros as he was at Iowa — The Outlaw.

He has 96 tackles in his first two seasons with the Broncos as a 12 game starter (31 games played) and he notched his first 1.5 sacks in 2019.

Jewell was targeted quite a bit in coverage his rookie season and finished with three touchdown catches allowed. In 2019, he was benched for Alexander Johnson, who came in and played at a Pro Bowl level.

Jewell is once again stuck behind two incumbent starters at the linebacker position, and in all likelihood, that’s how it will stay unless someone gets hurt.

He’s played plenty of special teams for the Broncos and should continue to do so if he makes the final roster in 2020.

Schedule