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Denver Broncos: Expectations for every rookie in 2020

By Sayre Bedinger

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 25: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 25: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Justin Strnad, Denver Broncos
WINSTON SALEM, NC – AUGUST 31: Linebacker Justin Strnad #23 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons tackles running back Mark Robinson #32 of the Presbyterian Blue Hose during the football game at BB&T Field on August 31, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Justin Strnad, LB

2020 expectation: Special teams heavy, on-call injury replacement at LB

It’s hard not to fall in love with the possibility that Justin Strnad could be the Broncos’ version of Fred Warner at the linebacker position.

Warner has quickly become one of the best linebackers in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, and his ability as a coverage linebacker, blitzer, and all-around menace attacking the football are making him look like the new prototype around the league.

Watching Strnad play at Wake Forest, it’s hard not to see some of the same traits.

As a former defensive back, Strnad has tremendous coverage abilities and did a great job at Wake Forest of blitzing and making himself valuable on third downs.

He also cut his teeth on special teams and proved himself in that way, which is where I think he’s going to be a stud for the Broncos in 2020.

Plenty of players who have eventually earned prominent starting roles with the Broncos got their start on special teams, and I think Strnad will be no different.

He could end up as the LB3 or LB4 after training camp, but right now, he’s firmly behind Todd Davis, Alexander Johnson, and Josey Jewell at the very least. The Broncos are also high on last year’s UDFA pickup Josh Watson.

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