Tag: Justin Strnad

Broncos players react to Patrick Mahomes’ big contract

“I’m still broke compared to him,” Broncos cornerback Davontae Harris tweeted.

After the Kansas City Chiefs gave quarterback Patrick Mahomes a 10-year contract extension, several Denver Broncos players reacted to the news on Twitter. Mahomes could earn up to $503 million if he maxes out all the incentives in his new deal.

Broncos defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker said he was happy for his division rival and motivated (presumably to earn a big contract himself).

Denver rookie linebacker Justin Strnad shared a video meme after the news broke:

Broncos cornerback Davontae Harris shared several tweets about Mahomes’ record-breaking contract.

Harris also pointed out that fans shouldn’t think every football player earns anything close to what Mahomes will be paid.

Mahomes will earn an average of $45 million per season, according to Spotrac.com. Harris will earn $750,000 this season and he has earned $1,283,515 through two years in the NFL so far.

Denver is scheduled to host Mahomes in Week 7 this season (Oct. 25) and then travel to play the Chiefs on the road in Week 13 (Dec. 6). The team’s complete regular season schedule can be seen here.

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Justin Strnad’s adaptability will help him earn playing time with Broncos

Justin Strnad will likely see playing time as a rookie in passing situations.

Todd Davis is expected to serve as one of the Broncos’ starting inside linebackers this season but he probably won’t see much playing time in obvious passing downs. Last year, safety Will Parks served as one of Davis’ replacements on defense for passing situations.

This year, rookie linebacker Justin Strnad will be among the players competing for a rotational coverage job on defense.

“With Justin, you’re going to see the speed and explosion to the players that are in the coverage areas whether it be DBs or linebackers,” defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said on June 11. “He brings that coverage element and the adaptability to match up with some great offenses in our division.”

He’s listed as a linebacker on the roster but Strnad might play more like a coverage safety for Denver this season.

“I feel very comfortable in pass-coverage,” Strnad said on April 25. “I played safety in high school, so it’s something I’ve been doing for a long time.”

Strnad, who was selected by the Broncos in the fifth round of this year’s NFL draft, totaled 244 tackles, eight sacks, 10 pass breakups and four interceptions during his time at Wake Forest. He’ll look to make an immediate impact in Denver as a rotational linebacker in 2020.

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Denver Broncos depth chart prediction: Linebacker

Which linebackers will make the Broncos’ 53-man roster?

As we continue our 2020 depth chart prediction series for the Denver Broncos, today we’re going to be looking at the linebacker position.

Previously, we predicted QB, RB, TE, WR, OL, DL and CB depth charts.

OLB ILB ILB OLB
Von Miller Alexander Johnson Todd Davis Bradley Chubb
Malik Reed Justin Strnad Justin Hollins Jeremiah Attaochu
Derrek Tuszka Josey Jewell Joe Jones Malik Carney
Tre’ Crawford Josh Watson

The Broncos’ four starting linebackers are pretty easy to predict. Unless Davis is cut for cap reasons, the top-four LBs on the depth chart will likely be Miller, Johnson, Davis and Chubb this season.

The backup spots are harder to predict.

Reed and Hollins seem like safe bets to make the team and Attaochu was an excellent injury fill-in for Chubb last season. If those three make the team, seven linebackers could be fighting for just one remaining spot.

Jones is an excellent special teams player but Strnad might be able to fill a similar role at a cheaper price. It’s hard to imagine Denver moving on from Jewell this year but he will face tough competition for a roster spot.

Some of the linebackers that don’t make the active roster could end up on the practice squad. Tuszka is a likely practice squad candidate.

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Justin Strnad could be the coverage linebacker Broncos have been looking for

The Broncos need a linebacker who can cover tight ends and running backs. Justin Strnad might be the man for the job.

Todd Davis emerged as a starter for the Broncos in 2016 and he has racked up tackles since then but he hasn’t been good enough in coverage. Last season, Alexander Johnson emerged as a starter next to Davis but he’s not quite good enough in coverage, either.

Johnson looks like a long-term solution at inside linebacker (maybe even as a direct replacement for Davis in the not too distant future) but Denver needs another linebacker to pair with Johnson who excels in coverage.

Justin Strnad, the team’s fifth-round draft pick, might be up for the job.

“I feel very comfortable in pass-coverage,” Strnad said during a conference call with reporters on April 25. “I played safety in high school, so it’s something I’ve been doing for a long time.”

Strnad was a play-making linebacker at Wake Forest, totaling 244 tackles (including 22.5 tackles for losses), eight sacks, four interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Playing in Vic Fangio’s defense, Strnad could develop into the kind of coverage linebacker the team has been missing.

“I think just continuing to work on man-to-man coverage — in college, we didn’t play too much man — so I think just continuing to work on my man-to-man skills and being able to match up on some tight ends and running backs will obviously be able to help,” Strnad said.

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Broncos rookies can increase chances of making roster by playing on special teams

The Broncos’ late-round draft picks will increase their chances of making the roster if they play well on special teams.

Broncos seventh-round draft pick Tyrie Cleveland will be joining an extremely crowded wide receiver room in Denver, so he will have long odds to make the team’s 53-man roster.

To improve his chances of making the team, Cleveland could excel on special teams as a gunner during the preseason.

“I played special teams over at Florida,” Cleveland said during a conference call with reporters on April 25. “I’m just going to come in and just whatever the coach wants me to do, whatever they have me at.

“I’m going to come in and work hard and try to do my best to go out there and just make plays and just continue to fight and continue to get better and continue to work on my craft and [help] bring the Super Bowl back to Denver.”

That kind of willing-to-do-anything mentality will certainly be appreciated by the Broncos’ coaching staff. Fifth-round draft pick Justin Strnad also expressed a willingness to contribute on special teams.

“I played all special teams my first two years of college, so I think I’m going to be able to come in right away and help in any special teams they need me to,” Strand said on April 25.

Later this year, Denver will have to make some tough cuts to trim the roster from 90 players down to 53. Players like Cleveland and Strand will help their chances of making the final roster if they make an impact on special teams.

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Watch the moment Broncos GM John Elway called Justin Strnad

Here’s video of when John Elway called Justin Strnad during the NFL Draft.

The Denver Broncos selected linebacker Justin Strnad in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday. Here’s video of when GM John Elway and coach Vic Fangio told Strnad he was going to be a Bronco:

Strnad will likely compete for rotational playing time on defense. He should be a key special teams player in 2020.

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POLL: What grade should the Broncos get for drafting LB Justin Strnad?

What grade should the Broncos receive for selecting linebacker Justin Strnad in the NFL Draft?

The Denver Broncos selected Wake Forest inside linebacker Justin Strnad in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday.

Strnad (6-3, 238 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds and ran a 20-yard shuttle in 4.49 seconds at the combine earlier this offseason.

A play-making linebacker, Strnad totaled 244 tackles — including 22.5 tackles for losses — and eight sacks at Wake Forest. He also intercepted four passes, broke up 10 passes, recovered one fumble and forced three fumbles.

Strnad will likely serve as a rotational linebacker and key special teams player as a rookie.

We want to know what you think of the pick, Broncos fans! Share your opinion by giving the pick a grade in the poll below:

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Check out these highlights of new Broncos LB Justin Strnad

Here are highlights of new Broncos inside linebacker Justin Strnad!

The Denver Broncos selected Wake Forest inside linebacker Justin Strnad in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday. Here are highlights from Strnad’s time in college:

Denver has two more picks (252 and 254) to use in the seventh round.

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Twitter reacts to Broncos drafting LB Justin Strnad

Here’s how Twitter reacted when the Broncos drafted linebacker Justin Strnad.

The Denver Broncos selected Wake Forest inside linebacker Justin Strnad in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday. Here’s a sampling of how Twitter reacted to the pick:

Denver has two more picks (252 and 254) to use in the seventh round.

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Broncos select LB Justin Strnad in 5th round of NFL Draft

The Broncos selected Justin Strnad in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

With the 178th pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Wake Forest inside linebacker Justin Strnad.

Strnad (6-3, 238 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds and ran a 20-yard shuttle in 4.49 seconds at the combine earlier this offseason. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projected Strnad would be a fourth-round pick so Denver getting him near the end of the fifth round was good value.