Denver Broncos lose Justin Hollins to Los Angeles Rams

The Denver Broncos lost former fifth-round pick Justin Hollins to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Denver Broncos had to make 25 roster moves to get down from 78 players (after cutting Todd Davis and trading Isaac Yiadom) to get to 53 players on Saturday, and all but one of the players they had to let go of made it through waivers unclaimed.

The one player who was claimed was outside linebacker Justin Hollins, and if you’ve spent any time on Predominantly Orange over the past few weeks, this was something we predicted/feared could happen if Hollins didn’t make it.

The Rams were a logical potential trade destination for Hollins, but they were apparently willing to wait out the waiver process and they were right to do so.

The Broncos took Hollins in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft with a strong recommendation to do so from linebackers coach Brandon Staley, who is now the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams are in dire need of help and/or talent at the linebacker position — outside or inside — and have always been a logical landing spot if Hollins didn’t make it with Denver.

In 15 games last year, Hollins racked up 21 total tackles, one sack, and two QB hits as the Broncos tried him at both outside and off-ball linebacker.

With his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame, Hollins has exceptional athleticism and strength, and the idea from Staley was that he could be a pass rusher who could also match up against tight ends or running back.

In theory.

Staley will now be in charge of overseeing Hollins’ development in Los Angeles but the Denver Broncos obviously would have liked to have him back to develop him themselves.

Instead, Malik Reed will be the young edge player getting snaps for the Broncos along with fellow backup Jeremiah Attaochu. Reed was undrafted last year out of Nevada but ended up out-snapping the fifth-round pick Hollins anyway.