4 George Paton offseason additions already paying off for Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos offseason pickup no. 1: Randy Gregory, EDGE
As of the end of the 2021 season, there was probably only one position group that was a bigger problem area for the Denver Broncos than EDGE, and it was the quarterback position. Once the Broncos had their QB in place this offseason, the attention and focus shifted to edge, where George Paton and company had a plan that wasn’t exactly in alignment with the wish lists of everyone in Broncos Country.
Broncos Country wanted Von Miller back, and Miller was campaigning to come back at one point. If not Miller, many Broncos fans seemed to be thrilled with the idea that the team could potentially acquire Chandler Jones. The Broncos left both Miller and Jones alone in free agency, not even extending them offers, instead deciding to fix their gaze on Cowboys pass rusher Randy Gregory.
When Broncos fans saw this news, it took people a long time to come around. As of Von Miller’s dominant performance in Week 1 for the Buffalo Bills, a lot of people still hadn’t come around. But as it turns out, Randy Gregory is quickly looking like an excellent pickup.
Despite missing much of the 2022 offseason after a shoulder procedure, Gregory has been one of the team’s best defensive players through two games. He’s got two forced fumbles, a tackle for loss, a sack, a couple of QB hits, and he’s been a consistent force off the edge. He’s showing no ill effects of the shoulder procedure and looks really explosive out there. Not only that, but this guy is just a lot to deal with.
He’s got a unique combination of size, length, quickness, and strength. Although Gregory doesn’t look like Myles Garrett coming off the bus, he’s an imposing figure in his own right. He has helped take the Denver Broncos’ pass rush to the next level in 2022 so far.