Denver Broncos: The 5 most important training camp battles in 2020
5. Backup edge
Bradley Chubb is back after tearing his ACL in the fourth game of the 2019 season, giving the Denver Broncos maybe the most enviable duo of edge players in the entire NFL between he and Von Miller.
Both players have superstar qualities, and because of Chubb’s 2019 injury, the Broncos have plenty of capable and intriguing depth at the position.
The question heading into 2020 training camp is — who makes the team?
The Broncos’ returning leader in snaps (besides Von Miller) is 2019 undrafted free agent star Malik Reed, a player with great versatility and pass rush potential who should not be in danger of losing his roster spot barring a complete collapse or another couple of players looking other-worldly on the practice field.
Behind Reed in snaps last season was Jeremiah Attaochu, a former second-round pick of the San Diego Chargers who was a street free agent pickup after Chubb’s injury. Attaochu finished the season as Denver’s starting edge and earned the trust of head coach Vic Fangio. He was re-signed to a one-year deal this past offseason as a reward for his strong performance in the final quarter or so of the 2019 season.
The Broncos also have 2019 fifth-round pick Justin Hollins, a very talented athlete who cut his teeth on special teams while learning every linebacker position in Fangio’s defense. He didn’t get too many pass-rush opportunities compared to the other guys in 2019, but Hollins has big upside with his athletic makeup.
Behind those guys, you have 2020 seventh-round pick Derrek Tuszka, an FCS All-American for North Dakota State who probably needs to wreak havoc daily in training camp to make his way onto the 53-man roster to open 2020.
The Broncos also have Malik Carney, who spent some time last year on the practice squad, returning to compete for the 2020 season. Carney could be a wild card off the edge for Denver.
If there are only two available spots, who do the Broncos keep here? Tough choices will have to be made.