In the latest chapter if the never-ending saga, the Denver Broncos may once again have an issue at inside linebacker.
The emergence of Alexander Johnson last season gave the Broncos something they hadn’t had in awhile, a consistent, athletic inside linebacker. Johnson returns as one of the most exciting players on the roster this year, but depth is always important in the NFL.
Todd Davis has already been banged up in training camp and rookie Justin Strnad was lost for the season with a wrist injury. That means that someone else is going to step up and make some plays this season from a group that includes Josey Jewell, Justin Hollins and Josh Watson.
That is probably not an enticing thought for many fans.
Jewell has not been great since the team drafted him in the fourth round in 2018 and is a fringe roster player at best, but would likely be a starter if Davis missed time. He’s not the most athletic guy and he simply can’t cover tight ends.
Justin Hollins is transitioning to the inside linebacker position after underwhelming as an edge rusher during his rookie campaign a year ago. The fifth-round pick registered just one lone sack in 2019. Without any preseason games to get on the field and go against other opponents, it’s hard to guage just how well Hollins will make the switch.
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Watson was an undrafted player last year but did spend some time on the main roster. He is mostly a special teams guy and unless he has an extremely good camp, he likely wouldn’t get the shot to play in front of Jewell, which is saying something.
The Broncos really need to have Davis healthy as soon as possible. The best contingency plan for that was to move Strnad into that role, but without him, the onus would likely fall on a guy like Jewell.
It’s also likely that one of these three guys— Jewell, Hollins or Watson— won’t even make the team. However, the one who gets their number called must be prepared. How many more times can we watch these inside linebackers give up big play after big play to an opposing tight end?
There is a lot of uncertainty and unrest at this position and proof of that was the team working out veteran safety/linebacker Mark Barron.
Honestly, Barron is a better option than Jewell, Hollins or Watson.