Denver Broncos: 8 free agent linebacker options in 2021
Anthony Walker Jr. (Colts, age 25)
A former fifth-round pick out of Northwestern, Anthony Walker Jr.’s production with the Colts should come as no surprise to anyone who saw him play in college.
Over the last three seasons, Walker has started all but two games for the Colts’ defense, racking up 321 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups, three interceptions, and 3.5 sacks.
Obviously, Darius Leonard has gotten most of the attention for Indianapolis but Walker has been the other half of what some believe to be the best linebacker duo in the NFL. Considering how much cap space the Colts have, it would be surprising if they let Walker go without first offering him a strong chance to stay, but if he hits free agency he’s got to be on the Denver Broncos’ short list.
Jayon Brown (Titans, age 26)
The 2017 NFL Draft class at the linebacker position (specifically in the fifth round) was certainly good for NFL teams who took shots in that round. Jayon Brown is one of three guys on this list taken in the fifth round of that particular draft.
Brown is smaller for a linebacker at 6-feet, 226 pounds, but he flies around the field and has some serious chops in coverage. He has 26 pass breakups over the last four seasons but he has also proven he can get after the quarterback. In 2018, he had 10 QB hits and six sacks.
De’Vondre Campbell (Cardinals, age 27)
Campbell was somewhat maligned when he was with the Atlanta Falcons as a player known for his athleticism and coverage abilities who frankly struggled in that regard.
Still, Campbell has been productive and the Cardinals’ defense as an overall unit was vastly improved in the 2020 season. How much did Campbell have to do with that? That’s for prospective teams to decide. At any rate, he’s an option for Denver.
Nathan Gerry (Eagles, age 26)
Another former fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Nathan Gerry is a former safety from Nebraska who has made his most significant impact in the NFL on special teams.
In 2019, he played over 60 percent of the snaps for the Eagles’ defense and posted some solid numbers with 78 total tackles, five quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, and five passes defended.
The upside is there for Gerry to be a full-time player, but to this point, it hasn’t worked out between him and the Eagles. Perhaps with the Denver Broncos, he could realize his full potential.