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Can Randy Gregory help Broncos salvage the selection of Bradley Chubb?

By Travis Wakeman

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 26: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Football Team is hit after throwing a pass by Randy Gregory #94 of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Football Team 56-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 26: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Football Team is hit after throwing a pass by Randy Gregory #94 of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Football Team 56-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos hope to have Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory together on the field quite a bit in 2022. 

When the Broncos used a first-round pick on Bradley Chubb in the 2018 NFL Draft, it was a pick that earned high grades from draft analysts and fans of the team alike. The main reason for this was that he was potentially the best defensive player in the draft (at least on paper) and was joining the same defense as Von Miller.

Von Miller was undoubtedly hyped up about the pick when it happened.

Sadly, that’s about as exciting as it ever got for the two of them in Denver together. In one of the more depressing statistics you will come across in the last six seasons since the Broncos last played in the playoffs, Chubb and Miller were on the field together for a total of just 21 games.

Of those, 16 were in that 2018 season. Following that year, one or both players were missing time. Chubb missed most of the 2019 season after suffering a partially torn ACL and Miller was shut down with a season-ending injury before the 2020 season even started.

Last season, Chubb played in just one game before Week 11 and by the time he returned to the field, Miller had been traded to the Los Angeles Rams.

Broncos must have Bradley Chubb, Randy Gregory available in same games

That incredible pass-rushing duo was never fully realized by the Broncos but with the free-agent signing of Randy Gregory, the Broncos could get another crack at having that.

The key with both players, as it was when Von was around, will be availability. The Broncos have already said the plan is to wait until the regular season kicks off before Gregory takes the field for his new team but it is possible that Chubb’s success, or lack thereof, in 2022, could be dependent on Gregory being on the field.

Chubb did make the Pro Bowl in 2020 when Miller was out but his best year as a pro came in his rookie season of 2018 when he racked up 12 sacks. That was the year he and Miller played in every game together.

After a wasted year for himself in 2021, Chubb will need to re-establish himself as a defensive force in the league and he may not even get the kind of attention from opponents as he should, leaving himself available to make some plays. This would be reinforced any time Gregory is also on the field at the same time as offenses will have to account for both pass-rushers.

Denver Broncos
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos wears the name “Elijah McClain” on his helmet before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 15, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /

Though the thought of Chubb and Gregory on the same field is nowhere near as daunting as a young, healthy Chubb and Miller in his prime in 2018, the Broncos could finally have the top-level pass-rushing dup they wanted when they selected Chubb fifth overall.

With another season filled with injuries and/or lackluster play, Chubb could easily start to gain the “draft bust” label, particularly when you throw in the fact that he was selected ahead of both Quenton Nelson and Josh Allen.

Next. 5 most difficult roster decisions facing Broncos. dark

Chubb will be under as much pressure as any player on the Broncos roster in 2022. A healthy, effective Gregory could help to turn things in the other direction for him.

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