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Denver Broncos: 5 draft options to replace Von Miller

By Travis Wakeman

MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 21: Gregory Rousseau #15 of the Miami Hurricanes sacks David Moore #2 of the Central Michigan Chippewas in the first half against the at Hard Rock Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 21: Gregory Rousseau #15 of the Miami Hurricanes sacks David Moore #2 of the Central Michigan Chippewas in the first half against the at Hard Rock Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Von Miller
Denver Broncos OLB Von Miller – Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The fate of Von Miller with the Denver Broncos is very much up in the air.

While it would be tough to move on from the former Super Bowl MVP, there are valid reasons to do so. He missed the entire 2020 season, didn’t have a great 2019 season, and the team could save a ton of money  (nearly $18 million) to let him go.

That money could be used to lure free agents to Denver.

Of course, the decision comes down to much more than that. Miller is the best defensive player in franchise history and one of the great pass-rushers the NFL has ever seen. It is difficult to move on from a player of that caliber.

If the Broncos do opt to take that route, replacing Von will prove to be extremely tough.

Both Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed appear to be important pieces of the future, but game-changing pass-rushers will always have a spot in the league. Here are five guys the Broncos could target in the NFL draft as potential Miller replacements.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 23: Gregory Rousseau #15 of the Miami Hurricanes in action against the FIU Golden Panthers in the first half at Marlins Park on November 23, 2019, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 23: Gregory Rousseau #15 of the Miami Hurricanes in action against the FIU Golden Panthers in the first half at Marlins Park on November 23, 2019, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

The replacement for Miller doesn’t necessarily need to play the same position, they just need to have the same kind of impact. Gregory Rousseau has the ability to play either defensive end or linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

Rousseau has great instincts and a terrific first step. He’s a natural pass-rusher and will likely go in the first round of the draft because of his ability to get to the quarterback alone.

The knock on Rousseau is going to the longevity of his college career.

An ankle injury shut down his freshman season after two games. He exploded with 15.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman in 2019, good for second in the country behind only Chase Young. He then opted out of the 2020 season.

There is plenty of mystery around what you might be getting with this player and whether or not his 2019 season was an aberration. At the same time, the reward could be immense.

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