Denver Broncos: Second year players with bigger roles in 2021

2. McTelvin Agim, DL

It was common practice for John Elway to use at least one top-100 pick on the defensive front seven throughout his tenure as the Denver Broncos general manager. As it turns out, McTelvin Agim was the last such pick he would make.

George Paton ended that annual tradition, although just barely, with linebacker Baron Browning getting picked at number 105 overall.

Agim was the 95th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and the third of three Denver Broncos third-round picks last year (Michael Ojemudia, Lloyd Cushenberry III).

Appearing in 10 games, Agim racked up eight total tackles and three quarterback hurries, playing 141 snaps total on defense.

Agim posted really solid measurables at the Combine at 6-foot-3, 309 pounds, running a 4.98 in the 40-yard dash and putting up 27 bench press reps at 225 pounds.

There’s no doubt that Agim is a good athlete, but how quickly will that transition to strong play on the defensive line? The time is now for the former Arkansas product.

Whether it was because of injuries, COVID protocols, or just the fact that Vic Fangio wanted to rotate guys, the Denver Broncos used a lot of defensive linemen in 2020. How much will that change in 2021? That remains to be seen, but the team let DeMarcus Walker leave in free agency and he played 384 snaps for Fangio last season.

Could that role go to Agim in 2021, more than tripling his rookie snap count? That’s not impossible, and if it happens, Agim could be a breakthrough rotational piece for the Broncos on the defensive line.