Tag: Defensive Line

Mike Purcell wants to re-sign with Broncos and wear throwback uniform

“Sign me back so I can rock them!” free agent defensive lineman Mike Purcell said of the Broncos’ new throwback uniforms.

It’s safe to say the Denver Broncos’ new throwback uniforms are a big hit.

Fans love the “Orange Crush” look and players do, too. Even former players.

Broncos free agent defensive lineman Mike Purcell tweeted his excitement about the throwback uniform on Monday. The veteran defender told the team to re-sign him “so I can rock” the new uniform.

Purcell undoubtedly wanted to re-sign with Denver even before the new throwbacks dropped, but this is still a notable sign of a uniform’s success. A player is asking a team to sign him so he can wear the new uniform. Well done, designers.

Purcell, 33, has previously made it clear that he wants to finish his career with the Broncos. Before hitting free agency this spring, Purcell played in Denver from 2019-2023, totaling 166 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one safety in 65 games (37 starts).

If the Broncos do re-sign Purcell, it will likely happen after the draft.

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Broncos host DL Jordan Miller on pre-draft visit

The Broncos brought in SMU defensive lineman Jordan Miller for a pre-draft visit earlier this week.

The Denver Broncos hosted SMU defensive lineman Jordan Miller on a pre-draft visit this week, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Miller (6-3, 307 pounds) spent five years at Miami, recording 60 tackles (11 behind the line), three sacks and two fumble recoveries in 48 games. He then made a graduate transfer to SMU ahead of the 2023 season.

In 14 games with the Mustangs last fall, Miller totaled 26 tackles (four behind the line), one pass breakup and a half sack. He participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl this spring after wrapping up his college career.

Following six years at the college level, Miller will enter the NFL as a 24-year-old rookie.

Miller is projected to go undrafted later this month. The Broncos are likely scouting him as a potential UDFA prospect who could provide depth on the defensive line from the practice squad.

The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27. We are tracking all of Denver’s pre-draft prospect visits on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos host Texas DL T’Vondre Sweat on pre-draft visit

T’Vondre Sweat is considered one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL draft, but it’s unclear how a DWI might impact his stock.

The Denver Broncos have or soon will host Texas defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat on a pre-draft visit this week, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Sweat (6-4, 366 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 5.27 seconds and a 10-yard split in 1.8 seconds at the NFL combine earlier this offseason. He spent five years with the Longhorns, starting the last two seasons.

After earning honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition in 2022, Sweat took home a host of honors in 2023. He won the Outland Trophy, given to college football’s best interior lineman, was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-American and All-Big 12 honors. He is a big, run-stuffing lineman.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Sweat to Vita Vea and Sam Adams, who were first-round picks in 2018 and 1994, respectively.

Sweat was projected to be a second-round pick before he was arrested on a driving while intoxicated charge earlier this month. It’s unclear how much that might impact Sweat’s draft stock. The Broncos do not currently hold a pick in the second round, but they do have picks in the third (No. 76) and fourth (No. 121) rounds.

The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27. We are tracking all of Denver’s pre-draft prospect visits on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos sign defensive lineman Angelo Blackson to 1-year deal

The Broncos have shored up their defensive line depth by signing veteran Angelo Blackson.

The Denver Broncos are signing veteran defensive lineman Angelo Blackson to a one-year contract, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. The team confirmed the signing on Monday afternoon.

Blackson (6-4, 318 pounds) entered the league as a fourth-round pick out of Auburn with the Tennessee Titans in 2015. He’s been a journeyman defensive lineman since then, spending time with seven teams over the last nine seasons.

Blackson, 31, spent one season playing for current Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph when they overlapped with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. Blackson dressed for all 16 games that year, earning nine starts. He totaled 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks that season.

Blackson has appeared in 128 games in his career with 42 starts. He has 179 tackles, 27 quarterback hits, 8.5 sacks, eight pass breakups, four fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks and one interception on his resume.

After signing Blackson, Denver has shored up the defensive line depth chart ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. The Broncos now have a rotation that will include Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Blackson, Matt Henningsen and Elijah Garcia.

We are tracking all of Denver’s free agency moves on Broncos Wire.

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Mike Danna on re-signing with Chiefs: ‘I prioritize winning’

Mike Danna told reporters that the #Chiefs’ winning culture was a key factor in his decision to re-sign with Kansas City.

The offseason has seen plenty of player movement around the NFL. The opportunities to start new with different teams are enticing, but in the case of the Kansas City Chiefs, maintaining personnel with a focus on a three-peat is just as crucial.

A significant part of the Chiefs’ defensive improvement over the last few seasons has been the emergence of Mike Danna. The former Michigan Wolverine re-signed with Kansas City late last week and detailed his reasons for not exploring other teams during a Zoom press conference on Wednesday.

“I prioritize winning, the family I built here, [and] my brotherhood,” Danna explained. “Being here, I look forward to going to work every day, man. So it’s just like when you got that feeling… You don’t really want to let it go. There’s always elsewhere, but I had a lot of stuff invested here, a lot of work, a lot of grind, sweat, and tears.”

Danna was a starter last season for the Chiefs on their productive defensive line, starting all 16 games he played and finishing with 6.5 sacks.

“Why not go for the three-peat? Why not? Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of this journey? I prioritize winning, man,” said Danna. “There’s no organization right now that’s like this. That was my biggest thing. Prioritize winning my brotherhood I built here, and you know, it feels so good to be back.”

Danna’s decision was influenced by several factors, including the team’s dedication to growth and happiness in the culture. The talk of a three-peat immediately after Super Bowl LVIII has this year’s team motivated to make history in 2024.

Broncos met with FSU DL Fabien Lovett at the NFL combine

The Broncos met with FSU defensive lineman Fabien Lovett at the NFL combine. He’s projected to be a late-round pick or UDFA.

The Denver Broncos had a formal interview with FSU’s Fabien Lovett at the NFL combine earlier this offseason, the defensive lineman revealed during his media availability in Indianapolis.

Lovett (6-4, 314 pounds) spent two years at Mississippi State before transferring to Florida State in 2020. He went on to play four years at FSU and Lovett is now set to enter the NFL as a 24-year-old rookie.

Lovett recorded 74 tackles (12 behind the line), five sacks, four pass breakups and one forced fumble in 36 games with the Seminoles. He earned honorable mention All-ACC recognition in 2021 and 2022.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Lovett to Eddie Goldman, who was a second-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Lovett is projected to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent this spring.

The Broncos do not currently hold a seventh-round pick, so unless they are looking to trade back into the final round, they are likely looking at Lovett as an UDFA prospect. The NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

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Broncos spoke with Clemson DL Tyler Davis at the NFL combine

The Broncos had an informal meeting with Clemson defensive lineman Tyler Davis at the NFL combine. He’s projected to be a fourth-round pick.

The Denver Broncos had an informal meeting with Clemson’s Tyler Davis at the NFL combine, the defensive lineman revealed during his media availability in Indianapolis in late February.

Davis (6-2, 301 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 5.02 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 29 times at the combine. He spent five years with the Tigers, totaling 145 tackles (30 behind the line of scrimmage), 16 sacks, three pass breakups and three fumble recoveries in 55 games.

The Broncos signed Malcolm Roach during free agency, but the team lost Jonathan Harris, and Mike Purcell remains a free agent. Denver could certainly use more depth on the defensive line going into 2024.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Davis to Akeem Spence, who was a fourth-round pick out of Illinois in 2013. Davis is also projected to be a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft.

The Broncos currently hold pick No. 121 in the fourth round and Davis could be a target at that spot. The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

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Ex-Broncos DL Haggai Ndubuisi signs with Commanders

Former Broncos DL Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi has joined the Commanders. Denver still has an open spot on the roster for an international player.

The Washington Commanders have signed former Denver Broncos defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.

Ndubuisi (6-7, 323 pounds) is a Nigerian player who participated in Osi Umenyiora’s UpRise Academy program in Africa before being invited to an international NFL combine in London in 2021.

Ndubuisi joined the league’s IPP program in 2022 and he was allocated to the Arizona Cardinals. After spending preseason in Arizona that year, Ndubuisi was later allocated to the Broncos in 2023.

After practicing as an offensive lineman in Arizona, Ndubuisi switched to the defensive line in Denver. He spent all of the 2023 campaign on the Broncos’ practice squad, but Ndubuisi was not signed to a reserve/future contract at the end of the season.

Ndubuisi had a brief stint with the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas in February before joining the Commanders earlier this week. He will continue playing as a defensive lineman.

The NFL has given each team an extra spot on the offseason roster for international players and an extra spot on each practice squad for an international player this season. Denver worked out Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit last month, but he opted to join the Kansas City Chiefs instead.

With Ndubuisi moving on, the Broncos have an open spot for an international player in 2024.

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Mike Purcell wants to re-sign with Broncos

Mike Purcell would like to re-sign with the Broncos, but Denver will probably wait until after the NFL draft.

Veteran defensive lineman Mike Purcell wants to re-sign with the Denver Broncos and finish his career with the team, according to the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson.

Purcell (6-3, 328 pounds) will turn 33 later this month. He’s a run-stuffing nose tackle who has spent the last five seasons with the Broncos. The defensive lineman has totaled 166 tackles (13 behind the line), 14 quarterback hits, four pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one safety in 65 games (37 starts) in Denver.

The Broncos will likely wait until after the NFL draft (April 25-27) to make a decision on re-signing Purcell. He had a salary cap hit of $2.25 million in 2023. Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach are Denver’s top defensive lineman going into the 2024 season. That’s a solid starting trio, but the Broncos could use more depth up front.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Purcell return to the team on a one-year deal in May.

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George Paton hinted toward Broncos’ free agency moves at the combine

George Paton said at the combine the Broncos needed to improve their run defense and the secondary’s depth. Malcolm Roach ✅ Brandon Jones ✅

Speaking at the NFL combine last month, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton was asked about the state of the team’s defense.

Paton identified a few areas where the squad could improve, notably mentioning the need for a run-stuffer and more depth in the secondary.

“We feel like we need to be better in the run, and we need to stop the run better,” Paton said on Feb. 27. “We were inconsistent, a lot of things we did. Week 1 through [Week] 6 or one through the first six games, we were the worst defense in the league and then the final 11 [games] we were in the Top 10, Top 5 in a lot of metrics so really just be more consistent.

“I think we need to get better inside, stopping the run. Just be more disciplined at times and you saw that earlier. I saw that a little late with some of the busted coverages. You can always use help in the secondary, but I feel good about the young core on defense, and we will just continue to add depth.”

Fans who paid attention to Paton’s remarks at the combine were not surprised by the team’s first two signings during NFL free agency.

Denver added safety Brandon Jones — a key addition after losing Justin Simmons — and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach, who had the best run-stop percentage in the NFL last season.

Paton and Co. set out to improve the run defense and the secondary depth, and they did so early in free agency. There are still remaining positions of need for the Broncos, but the team quickly completed the top two items on Paton’s to-do list this offseason.

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