Denver Broncos: 4 backups that will play huge roles vs. Giants
Denver Broncos backups playing big roles vs. Giants
4. Justin Strnad, LB
In the 2020 season, Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell played the majority of the team’s snaps at linebacker basically out of necessity.
As much time as the Broncos spend in nickel, one of these two guys should have been rotating off the field at times, but that never really happened.
The Broncos will also spend a lot of time in 2021 in their dime defensive package where another defensive back (Pat Surtain II) will likely be floated around as the other “linebacker” but when the team is in its base defense or nickel package, we should see plenty of Justin Strnad in addition to the starters Johnson and Jewell.
Strnad was supposed to take a role in the nickel defense last season before a wrist injury prematurely ended his season before it even got started.
This year, Strnad is healthy and he looked good in preseason play. He may not be the guy that absolutely shuts down tight ends and running backs, but Strnad will probably be an upgrade over Johnson in coverage, and having him on the field in nickel situations could allow the Broncos to use Josey Jewell more as a blitzer on third downs, an area of his game he really excelled in last season.
Strnad has outstanding play speed and range and should be a factor in helping cover a couple of really good receiving backs in Saquon Barkley and Devontae Booker.