Tag: linebacker

10 takeaways from the Broncos’ 2024 season

The Broncos’ season has come to an end. Here’s what we learned from Denver’s 2024 campaign.

The Denver Broncos crashed out of the NFL playoffs with a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon, ending their postseason run in the first round. With the season now wrapped up, here’s a quick look at ten takeaways from 2024.

1. Javonte Williams is probably done in Denver

(Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

Williams, who will turn 25 in April, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. After rushing 217 times for 774 yards last season, Williams saw his carries drop to 139 in his second year under coach Sean Payton. His 3.7 yards per carry average was only slightly better than last season (3.6), and Payton seemed to prefer Jaleel McLaughlin down the stretch. Williams is a good blocker, but it’s hard to imagine the Broncos re-signing him this offseason. Payton will likely want to add a dynamic running back to the backfield in 2025.

2. Pat Surtain should win Defensive Player of the Year

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Surtain had a brilliant season, allowing a league-low 306 passing yards among qualified cornerbacks. PS2 also grabbed four interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six. After earning first-team All-Pro honors, Surtain seems like a near-lock to win the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award. Pass rusher Nik Bonitto also turned in a brilliant season with 13.5 sacks and a pair of defensive touchdowns.

3. Denver found a perfect role for Marvin Mims

(The Enquirer/Albert Cesare / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Mims made the Pro Bowl as a returner in his rookie season, but he was barely utilized on offense. That changed this year as Payton found creative ways to get Mims involved, including reps at running back. Mims ended the year with 39 receptions for 503 yards and six touchdowns plus 13 carries for 42 yards. He also made the Pro Bowl again after leading the NFL with 15.7 yards per punt return in 2024. Mims is an all-around weapon for Denver.

4. Zach Allen was a huge Pro Bowls snub

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Allen had a career year with with 75 pressures, 61 tackles, 40 quarterback hits, 8.5 sacks, one pass breakup and one safety in 16 games. Allen only being a fourth alternate for the Pro Bowl was an absurd snub, demonstrated by the Associated Press naming him a second-team All-Pro.

5. Courtland Sutton was great, but the Broncos need more at WR

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Sutton posted career highs in receptions (81) and receiving touchdowns (eight) this year, and his 1,081 yards were just 31 shy of his career high. It was a strong year for the team’s No. 1 receiver, but Denver needs to add more playmakers at the position in 2025. Too many receivers (Sutton included) dropped passes this season, and Mims was the only WR on the team who was a big-play threat every time he touched the ball. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft (or both), the Broncos need to upgrade the position.

6. Vance Joseph had a strong season overall

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There were, of course, bumps in the road, and the unit did not end the season on a strong note, but Joseph’s defense had a good year overall. The Broncos’ defense ended up ranked eighth in takeaways (25), seventh in yards allowed per game (317.1), third in points allowed (18.3) and first in sacks (63), posting a new franchise record. Joseph is now a head coach candidate, but it remains to be seen if he’ll land a promotion in 2025. Fans who look at the season-long picture will appreciate the job Joseph did, especially considering…

7. Denver needs to upgrade linebacker and safety

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

P.J. Locke is a quality nickelback and a very good No. 3 safety, but he was often a weak link in coverage as a starter during the 2024 season. The Broncos need to add a starting-caliber safety to play across from Brandon Jones in 2025. Denver also needs to add at least one starting inside linebacker, preferably one that excels in coverage. Cody Barton and Justin Strnad are both scheduled to become free agents and Alex Singleton will be coming off ACL surgery in 2025. Joseph needs better personnel, especially at LB and S.

8. Bo Nix had one of the best rookie seasons ever

(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Nix struggled early in the season before taking huge strides. He ended the year with 29 passing touchdowns, second-most among rookies in NFL history. Nix broke all of Denver’s major rookie passing records and his seven games with multiple touchdowns and no turnovers are an NFL rookie record. Nix is also the first rookie QB to ever post multiple games with 300 passing yards, four touchdowns and a passer rating above 140. Additionally, Nix made plenty of plays on the ground, finishing third on the team with 430 rushing yards while tied for first with four rushing scores (and he caught a TD pass this year, too). Nix had his share of rookie growing pains, but it’s clear that the Broncos have found their guy at quarterback.

9. Sean Payton did more with less

(Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images)

Going into the season, the Broncos had an over/under win total of 5.5, and their roster was ranked dead last in the NFL. Denver was also hindered by a $53 million dead money salary cap hit after releasing QB Russell Wilson. Despite those obstacles, Payton went 10-7 and made the NFL playoffs with a rookie quarterback under center. It certainly wasn’t a perfect season — and Payton wasn’t without blame for some of the losses — but it was a huge step in the right direction. Payton snapped the team’s eight-year losing streak and nine-year playoff drought in Year 2. Now with a full selection of draft picks and a lot more salary cap space, it’s fair to expect the Broncos to take another step forward under Payton in 2025.

10. The Broncos are trending up

(Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

Despite being a young team, Denver produced five All-Pros, three Pro Bowlers and a whopping eight Pro Bowl alternates in 2024. The Broncos gave extensions to guard Quinn Meinerz, cornerback Pat Surtain, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper and left tackle Garett Bolles in 2024, setting Nix up for success going forward. Nix still has three seasons left on his rookie contract, plus a fifth-year option for the 2028 season. With an impressive young core of players and a promising QB on a rookie contract, Denver has a legitimate chance to make noise sooner than later. The future looks bright in Denver.

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5 takeaways from Broncos’ playoff loss to the Bills

The Broncos’ season came to an end with a playoff loss to the Bills on Sunday. Here are five quick takeaways following the loss.

The Buffalo Bills knocked the Denver Broncos out of the NFL playoffs on Sunday with a 31-7 victory at home. Following the game, here are five quick takeaways for the Broncos.

1. Bo Nix needs more weapons: Nix had a promising rookie year, and he didn’t have a bad game on Sunday, but it’s clear that he needs more support. The rookie QB had several passes dropped on Sunday, and he led the team in rushing yards (43), as he has done on more than one occasion this season. Denver needs to add a dynamic receiver, a pass-catching tight end and a productive running back on offense.

2. Denver needs to upgrade two spots on defense: Alex Singleton will be 31 and coming off an ACL injury next season, and Cody Barton and Justin Strnad are both scheduled to become free agents in March. The Broncos need to upgrade the position with a coverage linebacker in 2025. Denver also needs a to add a starting-caliber safety to push P.J. Locke across from Brandon Jones.

3. Sean Payton’s offense came up short: The Broncos’ defense will receive much-deserved criticism for Sunday’s failings, but the offensive struggles should not be overlooked. Denver was just 2-of-9 on third down with only 224 net yards on offense. The team’s running backs combined for a grand total of 35 rushing yards. There’s only so much Payton can do when receivers are dropping passes and running backs aren’t making plays, but only mustering seven points in a playoff game was a big offensive failure.

4. Vance Joseph seems unlikely to leave: Payton, of course, isn’t the only coach who had a bad day at the office. Joseph’s unit allowed 471 net yards of offense, including 210 yards on the ground. After a strong start, the Broncos’ defense allowed 31 points to the Bills, 30 points to the Bengals, 34 points to the Chargers and 32 points to the Browns down the stretch. Joseph is a candidate for at least one head coach job this offseason, but it’s hard to imagine him landing a promotion after the defense finished the year like that.

5. The Broncos’ season overall was a success: Nobody wants to hear it today because the pain of the loss is so fresh, but Denver had a successful season overall. Playing with a rookie quarterback, the Broncos overcame a big salary cap deficit in 2024 and made the playoffs with a 10-7 record. The postseason came to an end with a dud, but the team is still trending in the right direction going into 2025.

Offseason mode begins now for Denver. The Broncos have 19 players scheduled to become free agents in March, and the team holds seven picks to use in the 2025 NFL draft in April.

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Oklahoma Sooners projected to land another Oklahoma State linebacker

The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to add their second Oklahoma State linebacker via the transfer portal.

The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to add their second linebacker from the Oklahoma State Cowboys in as many days. On Monday, the Sooners added former Oklahoma State defender Kendal Daniels. Now, on Tuesday, OU is set to host [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] linebacker Jeff Roberson.

According to Steve Wiltfong of On3, the Sooners are hosting Roberson for a visit on Tuesday. Not long after that report, Wiltfong and Pete Nakos, also of On3, issued predictions favoring the Sooners to land the veteran linebacker.

Roberson was a three-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class and the No. 11 player in the state of Oklahoma. In 2024, he totaled 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

According to Pro Football Focus, Roberson was third on the team with 19 total pressures and second on the team with 30 stops, which accounts for down and distance when a tackle is made.

According to Oklahoma State’s official website, Roberson was a multiple-time Special Teams Player of the Week for the Cowboys.

The Sooners like their young linebacker corps, but the additions of Daniels and Roberson, if they earn his commitment, provide some veteran leadership to the team.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Report: Broncos will sign linebacker to reserve/future deal after season ends

The Broncos plan to sign linebacker K.J. Cloyd to a reserve/future contract after the season ends.

The Denver Broncos plan to sign inside linebacker K.J. Cloyd to a reserve/future contract after their season ends, according to a report from The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Players who are not on an active roster at the end of the season are eligible to sign a reserve/future contract for the following league year. Cloyd (6-2, 228 pounds) is currently on Denver’s practice squad, so he will be eligible to sign a reserve/future deal after the Broncos’ season ends.

Players who sign future contracts are officially added to the team’s 90-man offseason roster when the NFL’s new league year begins in March. Denver will likely sign most of their practice squad players to future deals after the 2024 campaign comes to an end.

Cloyd entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out Miami with the Minnesota Vikings last spring. He later joined the New York Giants but failed to make their 53-man roster following training camp.

Cloyd initially signed with New York’s practice squad but was later waived. He signed with the Broncos’ practice squad in December.

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Chiefs sign ex-Raiders LB, terminate Super Bowl LVIII champion WR

The Kansas City #Chiefs signed former Las Vegas #Raiders LB Blake Lynch, and terminated the practice squad contract of WR Montrell Washington.

After clinching the No. 1 seed for the AFC playoffs with a Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Kansas City Chiefs signed linebacker Blake Lynch to their practice squad.

To make room for Lynch, the team terminated the practice squad contract of veteran wide receiver Montrell Washington, who played a role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII championship last season.

The Chiefs announced their decision to sign Lynch and part with Washington on Monday, December 30.

Lynch, who played collegiately at Baylor University, entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has spent the last four years on practice squads, most recently with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Washington was a fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2022 NFL draft after an outstanding career at Samford University, where he earned FCS All-American honors in 2021.

The addition of Lynch to the practice squad is expected to provide some much-needed depth for Kansas City’s linebacking corps ahead of the Chiefs’ Week 18 matchup against the Broncos on January 5.

Demario Davis shares uplifting message amid Saints’ late-season losing streak

Demario Davis shared an uplifting message to fans and his fellow players after the Saints’ late-season loss to the Raiders:

When the New Orleans Saints lost Drew Brees, they had another leader waiting in the wings. That would be linebacker Demario Davis.

Davis has seen almost everything there is to see in this league and uses his knowledge both on the field and off of it.

As the Saints go through the roughest patch since before Brees, he took to the media after the home loss to the Las Vegas to share what is going through his head.

“When things aren’t going the way that you want the, you cannot panic. You have to know that something greater is going to come,” Davis said. “We will get back to what we all desire to be. We have the right decision makers to do that. If you just look at the team, we draft well, we do great and free agency. And if you look across the game, that is what sustained teams over the long haul.”

If there is someone that know about coming out of the other side of adversity on top, it is Davis. He is from a small town in Mississippi and didn’t play under many spotlights at Arkansas State.

He was a third-round selection in the 2012 NFL draft. The two teams that he played with before coming to New Orleans were the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets. Those are two of the most seemingly cursed franchises in the league.

Of course, the Saints have had almost nothing but heart break since winning the Super Bowl as well.

No matter, Davis has played 13 seasons in the NFL and is one of the best linebackers in recent memory. He is especially one of the best leaders and players in Saints franchise history.

The 35-year-old could be seeing his career come to an end soon, but his mark on both the city and the team is clear.

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2 ex-Broncos players find teams after clearing NFL’s waiver wire

After clearing waivers, Shaq Barrett re-joined the Bucs and Kwon Alexander signed with Detroit’s practice squad.

A pair of former Denver Broncos players have found homes after clearing the NFL’s waiver wire.

Last week, the Miami Dolphins waived pass rusher Shaq Barrett from their reserve/retired list, allowing him to potentially play again in 2024. After Barrett cleared waivers, he became a free agent.

Barrett then signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reuniting with the team that he played with from 2019-2023. Barrett played for the Broncos from 2014-2018, winning Super Bowl 50 with Denver. He later won Super Bowl LV with the Bucs.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions waived linebacker Kwon Alexander from their active roster last week. After clearing waivers, Alexander returned to the Lions on the practice squad.

Alexander joined the Broncos in September after the team lost Alex Singleton to a season-ending knee injury. He was elevated from Denver’s practice squad to the game-day roster three times this fall.

Detroit poached Alexander from the Broncos’ practice squad on Nov. 29. He has now been bumped down to the Lions’ practice squad.

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Oklahoma Sooners former 4-star linebacker entering the transfer portal

Oklahoma Sooners former four-star linebacker entering the transfer portal per report.

The Oklahoma Sooners’ 2024 season came to a close with their Armed Forces Bowl loss to the Navy Midshipmen.

This offseason, a number of Sooners have left the program via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. Arguably, the biggest surprise came on Saturday when it was reported that defensive coordinator Zac Alley was leaving the Sooners for the same job at West Virginia.

In the wake of Alley’s departure, the first defensive domino has fallen: Linebacker [autotag]Lewis Carter[/autotag] is entering the transfer portal, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.

Carter was a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 11 linebacker in the cycle. Out of Tampa Catholic, Carter’s speed and athleticism made him one of the more highly regarded backers in 2023. He had 33 Power Four offers coming out of high school.

This season with the Sooners, Carter had his most significant playing time with 126 snaps. He played 22 snaps against Tennessee and recorded five total tackles and five stops, according to Pro Football Focus. He had his highest snap count on Friday against Navy, logging 31 snaps against the run-heavy Midshipmen. Carter recorded four total tackles, according to PFF.

At this point, the Sooners still have good depth at linebacker with Kobie McKinzie, Kip Lewis, Samuel Omosigho, Jaren Kanak and James Nesta.

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Lions cut ex-Broncos linebacker

The Lions cut LB Kwon Alexander on Thursday. If he clears waivers, Detroit hopes to re-sign Alexander to the practice squad.

The Detroit Lions have cut inside linebacker Kwon Alexander, the team announced Thursday.

Alexander will now hit the NFL’s waiver wire. If he clears waivers, the Lions hope to re-sign Alexander to their practice squad, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Alexander (6-1, 227 pounds) joined the Denver Broncos in September after the team lost Alex Singleton to a season-ending knee injury. He was elevated from the practice squad to Denver’s game-day roster three times before being poached by Detroit.

Alexander, 30, appeared in two games with the Lions, totaling four tackles. Before that, he recorded eight tackles in three games with the Broncos. The linebacker tweeted this message on his Twitter/X page on Thursday:

Elsewhere on the ex-Bronco front, Detroit opened the 21-day window for receiver/returner Kalif Raymond to return from injured reserve, the Minnesota Vikings signed defensive lineman Jonathan Harris to their practice squad and the San Francisco 49ers added offensive lineman Sebastian Gutierrez to their practice squad.

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Former Saints linebacker named ‘best Christmas gift’ for Eagles

An ex-New Orleans Saints linebacker was named a top ‘Christmas gift’ players in NFL after his breakout year with the Philadelphia Eagles:

The New Orleans Saints had a former draft pick leave after a disappointing four seasons with the team and he became a star after joining the Philadelphia Eagles.

In searching for the best surprise players of the 2024 season, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin named linebacker Zack Baun one of the top ‘Christmas gifts’ of the year for the Eagles.

Here is what Benjamin had to say about Baun:

Signed to a one-year deal after four seasons as a reserve with the Saints, his physicality and sideline-to-sideline marks have anchored a tough Philadelphia Eagles defense.

During his time with New Orleans, the team struggled to figure out exactly what they wanted out of him. Of course, the path to playing time at linebacker was tough with Demario Davis and Pete Werner ahead of him, but it wasn’t until his last year with the team that he started to break out.

He had 88 career tackles with two sacks and six tackles for a loss. He was never anything more than a depth piece in the rotation.

In typical Saints fashion, though, Philadelphia has turned the 27-year-old into a star in his first season away from New Orleans. He has 145 total tackles, a league-leading 92 solo tackles, with 3.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss.

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