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Will the Denver Broncos double up at the edge position?

By Chandler Hyler

Denver Broncos offseason; Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller (40) celebrates with the George Halas trophy after the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos offseason; Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller (40) celebrates with the George Halas trophy after the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 09: Danielle Hunter #99 of the Minnesota Vikings stands on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 09: Danielle Hunter #99 of the Minnesota Vikings stands on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

1. Trade for Danielle Hunter, sign Ryan Kerrigan and draft Drake Jackson

This particular route would bring in a familiar face in Danielle Hunter that George Paton knows very well. In fact, Paton was a part of the front office that selected Hunter 88th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Hunter only had 4.5 sacks while attending Louisiana State University, so he was selected with the sole premise of who he could be, not what he was. That selection has paid dividends for the Minnesota Vikings as he has 60.5 sacks since entering the NFL.

Trading Hunter would be costly as he is a premier pass rusher in the NFL, but ask the Los Angeles Rams how much draft picks matter when you are in win-now mode. Bringing Hunter in, who is under contract until 2024, would bring a hefty charge in 2022, but his cap hit would take a steep fall in 2023.

There is always the option of a restructure that could dwindle his cap charge of $26 million, but making this trade would save the Vikings $20 million if it was done with a post-June 1 designation. Having Hunter would give the Denver Broncos a legitimate star at the pass rush position with Bradley Chubb’s future up in the air.

Signing former Washington Commander and Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher, Ryan Kerrigan, would be a low-floor, high-ceiling type of move. He signed for just $2.5 million last year and had his least productive season of his career.

So why sign him?

Well, with having Bradley Chubb or Danielle Hunter as your 1A, Kerrigan could be a nice depth piece to provide them a breather when needed. Kerrigan suffered a broken thumb during camp last year which set his season back, but may be beneficial to a team like the Denver Broncos who are trying to find a bargain deal for the 2022 NFL season.

Kerrigan posted 37 sacks in his final four seasons with Washington, having that veteran presence in the locker room could also help if the Denver Broncos are making a postseason push.

Drake Jackson, formerly with the USC Trojans, is an elastic pass rusher who has an incredible spin move, along with the ceiling to be special in today’s NFL. Jackson has a great “bend” and can win getting around the edge.

If I had to speculate, he may be a late round one prospect or could be in play when the Denver Broncos are picking for the first time on day two. Jackson would be an almost identical build to Hunter, so this would give him someone to learn from and develop his game with.

During his days with the Trojans, there were clips of magnificent athleticism. Some of his bend, some with power rush, and even with him peeling back to fall off on a running back screen and intercepting passes. Jackson also possesses that natural ability to attack the football that some edge rushers have, but some don’t.

Grabbing Jackson with their first selection on day two would be an absolute steal and would set the Denver Broncos up at the edge position for many years.

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