The Denver Broncos have a new defensive coordinator with Ejiro Evero coming over from the Los Angeles Rams. What players could he bring with him?
The Denver Broncos have their new defensive coordinator now that Super Bowl LVI is in the books. Not only do the Denver Broncos have a new defensive coordinator, but they brought in a Super Bowl champion coach to call the defense.
Ejiro Evero comes from the Los Angeles Rams where he’s been an assistant coach coaching the safeties and defensive backs, as well as having the title passing game coordinator.
Because Evero spent a handful of years with the Rams coaching on the defensive side of the ball, it stands to reason he has developed some pretty good relationships with a lot of the players that have been there, including those that are slated for free agency in 2022.
Which Rams free agents could we see join the new Denver Broncos defensive coordinator in the Mile High City? I think three, in particular, are more likely than the rest…
Denver Broncos FA option from Rams No. 1: Darious Williams, CB
Given the fact that Ejiro Evero was coaching the defensive backs in Los Angeles, it makes sense that we could see him bring someone who really developed as a player under his watch.
Darious Williams came to the Rams from the Baltimore Ravens back in 2018, so almost his entire career development has been overseen by Ejiro Evero.
Williams went from being a backup and spot starter in 2019 to being a full-time player in 2020, playing over 80 percent of the Rams’ defensive snaps and breaking up 14 passes, picking off four. In 2021, Williams only played 14 regular season games but set a career-high with 71 tackles, three tackles for loss, and also added nine passes broken up.
The loss of Bryce Callahan in free agency (unless the Broncos re-sign him) opens up a door for someone else to come in and play the nickel, where Williams has done quite well…
Lowest passer rating allowed when targeted in the slot this season
— PFF MIA Dolphins (@PFF_Dolphins) November 18, 2021
1). Darious Williams: 50.4
2). Taron Johnson: 51.1
3). Justin Coleman: 53.7 🐬 pic.twitter.com/Eh0k1ugFRF
Regardless of where he ends up playing (slot or outside), Williams has proven he can excel playing wherever he’s asked and his familiarity with the defensive coordinator in Denver gives him an edge over almost any other free agent cornerback on the market.
Denver Broncos target from Rams No. 2: Sebastian Joseph-Day, DL
One of the more underrated areas I think the Denver Broncos will need some help in the 2022 offseason is along the defensive line.
Mike Purcell was given a contract extension after the great stuff we saw from him in 2019, but arguably his biggest advocates in the building are gone (Vic Fangio, Ed Donatell) and there’s little dead money on his contract compared to the relief the Broncos could get from releasing him.
Combine that with the fact that he missed four games this past season and 10 games the year before, and we might see the Denver Broncos try to upgrade.
Not only did the Denver Broncos bring over Ejiro Evero from the LA Rams to be their defensive coordinator, but they brought in Marcus Dixon to be the team’s defensive line coach.
Dixon was an assistant for the Rams on their staff last season coaching defensive linemen, which makes the acquisition in free agency of Sebastian Joseph-Day a bit of a no-brainer.
With elite athletic traits and encouraging production this past season, the former sixth-round pick out of Rutgers could be a huge boost to the Denver defensive line in 2022.
He’s been a starter for the Rams since 2019, racking up 137 tackles over the last three seasons. Unfortunately, he was limited to just seven games this past season and he was on an outstanding pace before being hurt. He had already matched his previous career-high with five QB hits, as well as exceeding his career-high in sacks with 3.0.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, the 26-year-old Joseph-Day is exactly the type of free agent you should go after. He’s young, athletic, and the upside is there for his best days to be ahead of him.
Denver Broncos target No. 3: Kenny Young, LB
Kenny Young has spent parts of the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, sandwiched by trades with the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos.
Young was not some role player for the Rams’ defense, either. He was a starter for them, and the trade to Denver was shocking at the time though in hindsight, it seemed like a down payment for the Rams to eventually land Von Miller.
In his 13 games last season (7 with the Rams, 6 with the Broncos), Young racked up 75 total tackles, six tackles for loss (all with the Rams), and two sacks (both with the Rams).
Even though he was more productive in Los Angeles than in Denver last season, his energy and athleticism really brought something to the Denver defense coached by Vic Fangio. Now that he’s one of a number of prominent free agent linebackers for the Broncos, could the connections to the coaching staff give him the edge in coming back for 2022?
I think that’s a strong possibility.
What also can’t be discounted here? The fact that Kenny Young played a bit of special teams for the Rams. He has added value there even if he’s not in the starting lineup for the Broncos.
Denver Broncos trade ideas with the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers may be in a transition period, and the Denver Broncos should call them about the availability of some of their players.
How likely are we to see some players follow Ejiro Evero, Marcus Dixon, and Dwayne Stukes from the Rams to the Broncos? I think you should consider it a shock if one of the three players on this list is not in Denver next season.