Denver Broncos: Marquiss Spencer is the team’s most overlooked rookie
The Denver Broncos had a big 2021 NFL Draft class led by Pat Surtain II, arguably the best defensive player in the entire 2021 class. It’s understandable that a player like Marquiss Spencer, who received very little pre-draft fanfare, would be flying a bit under the radar after OTAs.
The Broncos’ defense is a veteran-laden group with some big-money veterans and some legitimate questions about how even the team’s first-round pick is going to fit in with all of the studs in the secondary.
If it’s tough to think of ways besides the dime package to get Surtain on the field, how much tougher is it going to be for a guy like Spencer?
That is still to be determined.
Denver Broncos: Marquiss Spencer can carve a role
Spencer tested among the elite of elite defensive linemen prior to the 2021 NFL Draft.
Marquiss Spencer was drafted with pick 253 of round 7 in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 9.07 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 123 out of 1309 DT from 1987 to 2021. https://t.co/cZWylB2NGy #RAS #Broncos pic.twitter.com/zrfsBK4yeT
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) May 1, 2021
This guy is quick, agile, explosive, and all-around an outstanding athlete. That does not necessarily translate to production and there are clearly reasons why Spencer fell to the seventh round of the 2021 Draft.
But what happens if this guy comes out and blows up in the preseason and training camp?
The Denver Broncos defensive line has some underrated pieces, but there are maybe some cracks that Spencer can try to fit through.
Shelby Harris, Dre’Mont Jones, Mike Purcell, Shamar Stephen, and McTelvin Agim should be considered locks to make the roster, leaving at least one spot up for grabs with DeShawn Williams the clear favorite at this point for the sixth and possibly final spot.
When you talk about dart throws in the NFL Draft, Spencer is about as intriguing as they come. The Denver Broncos let DeMarcus Walker out the door in the 2021 offseason (Texans) and he took with him 8.5 sacks over the last two seasons in the Vic Fangio defense.
McTelvin Agim should be considered a favorite to really emerge from this group in 2021, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see Spencer with his NFL-ready frame and athleticism win the sixth spot on the defensive line over DeShawn Williams, who showed some nice things in 2020 but doesn’t have as high of a ceiling.
Over the last two seasons, Spencer had 51 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, and three forced fumbles. He has outstanding length and although his play is a bit streaky, he has some freakish athleticism that translates on tape.
He’s got to find a way to burn hot at all times, and if he can do that, the Denver Broncos should have a steal on their hands and someone who could provide some intriguing depth at a number of positions on the defensive line.