Denver Broncos: 5 players that need to be re-signed ASAP

Denver Broncos: 5 players that need to be re-signed ASAP

4. Kenny Young, LB

There is a bit of recency bias here, but the impact that Kenny Young has made in Denver in short order is undeniable.

Going from a team that, at the trade deadline had just one loss, to a team that had four losses was not easy.

Young was one of the more productive players on the Rams’ defense, ranking second on the team in tackles and first on the team in tackles for loss. The energy he brings to the linebacker position is a lot of fun to watch, and the Denver Broncos invested some future draft capital in this guy.

He’s about to turn 27 years old, and it’s reasonable to assume that some of his best playing days are yet ahead.

The Broncos acquired Young in a trade he certainly didn’t ask for and maybe didn’t even want, but instead of putting his tail between his legs and wishing he’d not been traded by the Rams, Young has responded by playing very well for the Broncos at a position that is historically quite difficult to learn in Fangio’s defense.

Given his age, athleticism, and history of productivity, the Broncos would be wise to extend Young before he gets a chance to test the free agent market.

How would this impact the team’s decisions with guys like Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell? That’s another interesting rabbit hole to dive down, but Young has proven between his time in Los Angeles, Baltimore, and now Denver that he deserves to be a full-time starter.