4 Broncos players that could follow Ed Donatell to the Vikings

The Denver Broncos have a new coaching staff in place, and some free agents could follow former coaches to new teams in the 2022 offseason.

The Denver Broncos have a brand-new coaching staff for the 2022 NFL season, and although some coaches have been retained from the previous staff, they have been few and far between.

One coach who has multiple offers elsewhere is former defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, who has been a longtime right-hand man for Vic Fangio. It seems as though Fangio and Donatell are poised to go their separate ways in the 2022 offseason as Donatell initially appeared headed for the Seattle Seahawks.

Now, it seems as though he’s going to become the defensive coordinator of Kevin O’Connell’s Minnesota Vikings.

Which Broncos players might go with Ed Donatell to the Vikings?

Of course, Donatell’s new boss, Rams OC Kevin O’Connell, has to coach in the Super Bowl on Sunday before anything can be finalized. With that said, we all know these things get solidified behind the scenes and there’s no doubt that Donatell will try and recruit some of his former players to the Vikings with him.

When you’re installing a new defensive scheme, it’s always nice to have players that know your terminology and can help translate for the rest of their teammates. Let’s take a look at some players Donatell might try to bring with him to Minnesota.

1. Josey Jewell, LB

One of the easiest ways to install a new defensive scheme? Get a guy who will wear the green dot that speaks the language fluently.

Josey Jewell has been working with Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell the past three seasons, of course, and had emerged as the quarterback of their defense last season prior to a pectoral injury.

Jewell should make a full recovery from that injury and pick up right where he left off. The former fourth-round pick out of Iowa is a rock-solid three-down linebacker who may not be elite in coverage, but he’s unlocked an aspect of his game over the last two seasons that could be heavily utilized at his next stop — blitzing.

With Anthony Barr and Nick Vigil slated for free agency, Jewell could be a candidate to return to the Midwest and be the QB of Donatell’s defense in Minnesota.

Broncos player who could follow Donatell #2: Kareem Jackson, S

While I think Kareem Jackson may be more likely to follow Vic Fangio than Ed Donatell, there’s no doubt that the players loved Donatell.

The Vikings have done some shuffling at the safety position next to Harrison Smith the last couple of seasons and Kareem Jackson could be a fit if they continue to look year-to-year.

Since coming to the Denver Broncos in 2019, Jackson has made a seamless transition to the safety position and has really become one of the league’s best at that position,

In fact, it’s easy to forget that Jackson was a first-round cornerback for the Houston Texans at one point.

Before he came to Denver, Jackson had certainly shown his ability to play a versatile role, but he’s carved out a niche as a full-time safety now and would look great next to Harrison Smith, even if they would have to fight over the number 22.

Jackson racked up 88 tackles for the Broncos last season and has been an enforcer for them in the running game. One of the things he does incredibly well is play downhill and shut down outside running plays or wide receiver screens when there are two or three blockers out in front.

Again, Donatell is going to need guys that can communicate his defense to other players, and Jackson can help do that.

Broncos player that could follow Donatell #3: Bryce Callahan, CB

There is no question about the fact that the Denver Broncos could be saying goodbye to Bryce Callahan in the 2022 offseason.

Although the secondary has become a tight-knit group, Callahan came to Denver for his connection to Fangio and Donatell.

Will he leave Denver for the same reason?

That is very possible.

The Vikings, especially, have struggled to find players that can be consistent for them at the cornerback position in recent years. Just ask Broncos GM George Paton.

The Vikings have thrown draft capital and free agent dollars at the position and haven’t found the formula for consistency.

Of course, now that he’s beyond the age of 30, Callahan may not be exactly what the Vikings are looking for in terms of consistency especially with his injury history, but when he is on the field, he plays a pretty shut-down type of role out of the slot.

Donatell would probably love the chance to coach Callahan, who he has been around since he was an undrafted rookie with the Bears, with the Vikings.

Broncos player that could follow Donatell #4: Nate Hairston, CB

For many of the same reasons it might make sense for Ed Donatell to pursue Bryce Callahan, we could see he and the Vikings try and get Nate Hairston to come over after a strong year in Denver as a backup in 2021.

Not only can Hairston come in and contribute on special teams, but he also showed some nice things out of the nickel this past season and he did some great things when the Broncos and Vikings came together for joint practices last Summer.

Hairston is younger than Bryce Callahan and the Broncos obviously liked him under the previous regime. He signed on with the team late in the 2020 season, played in three games, then wound up playing in 16 out of 17 games this past season, breaking up four passes and showing some nice things in the nickel.

He will be 28 next season, so he can still give you plenty for the next 2-3 seasons and he may just now be hitting his stride as a pro.

Again, the Vikings have struggled to find consistency at the cornerback position in recent years and a player like Hairston may be worth taking a gamble on in free agency.

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He’s not going to break the bank, he can play a valuable role on special teams, and you might get a great value here because you aren’t paying for his name at this point. He’s got plenty to prove and if the Vikings could give him an expanded role, this is a fit that could make sense.