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4 inside linebackers Broncos could select at No. 64

By Travis Wakeman

Denver Broncos mock draft: Defensive tackle Gavin Meyer #90 and linebacker Chad Muma #48 of the Wyoming Cowboys celebrate after Muma sacked quarterback Max Gilliam #6 of the UNLV Rebels in the first half of their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos mock draft: Defensive tackle Gavin Meyer #90 and linebacker Chad Muma #48 of the Wyoming Cowboys celebrate after Muma sacked quarterback Max Gilliam #6 of the UNLV Rebels in the first half of their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos
Oct 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Smith (12) and safety Jaquan Brisker (1) against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2022 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away. 

For the Denver Broncos, the start of the draft won’t take place until deep into day two of the selection process as their first pick will be the No. 64 overall choice, barring any kind of trade that George Paton may come up with.

But there will still be several talented players on the board with that choice and the team could easily be looking at adding another inside linebacker, a player the Broncos have failed to adequately address for many years.

This offseason, the team chose to re-sign Josey Jewell and bring in Alex Singleton through free agency, but both Alexander Johnson and Kenny Young have yet to be re-signed. Depending on what takes place in the draft, they may not be.

The inside linebacker position is one that the Broncos should absolutely be looking into, especially with the idea of moving second-year linebacker Baron Browning to the outside.

The Broncos probably won’t see all of these players still sitting on the board when they go on the clock toward the end of round two, but at least one of them (and probably more) will be and the Broncos should strongly consider one of these guys if they are there.

Broncos prospect: Leo Chenal, Wisconsin

Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos 2022 NFL Draft; Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal (LB09) goes through drills during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Broncos would have to consider it a bargain if Leo Chenal were still available at No. 64 as he is definitely one of the top 63 players in this class.

Big, strong, and physical, Chenal is one of those guys who brings it on every play. He can tend to be a bit too aggressive and because he is a bit bigger, is not the fastest linebacker on the field. But he is a punishing tackler who plays with a high football IQ.

He can blitz at an effective rate and can also drop back and help out in pass coverage, an absolute must for Denver at this position.

In 25 games for the Badgers, Chenal made 178 tackles (25.5 for a loss) and had 11 sacks.

He was named to the Big 10 All-Conference Team last season and also won the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year Award, an award that Jewell also won in 2017.

He could easily be gone by the time the Broncos come up but if he is there, it would be difficult to choose someone else.

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