Tag: outside linebacker

Bradley Chubb’s return will give Broncos’ defense a big boost

Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb is expected to be completely healthy well before the start of the 2020 NFL season.

The Denver Broncos have one of the premier edge rushers in the NFL in Von Miller. While Miller isn’t getting any younger, he still demands the attention of opposing offenses.

This offseason, the defense surrounding Miller could be in store for a major overhaul. Chris Harris Jr. is set to become a free agent. Derek Wolfe could be on his way out the door. Justin Simmons could demand a contract too rich for Denver’s pockets.

The question right now in regards to Denver’s defense is, what will Miller’s supporting cast look like?

There is a lot of question marks surrounding the Broncos defense heading into the offseason. One thing that we do know is that Bradley Chubb will be returning from an ACL injury. The former first-round pick is a candidate for a breakout season for the Broncos during the 2020 season.

Chubb’s return will give the Broncos’ defense a much-needed playmaker. This past season, the Broncos finished tied for 17th in sacks. During Chubb’s rookie season they finished eighth in the league in that department.

Chubb’s season-ending injury derailed what looked to be a strong second year in the league for the North Carolina State product. In four games, Chubb recorded 21 tackles, one sack, five tackles for losses and six quarterback hits.

In Chubb’s rookie season, the edge rusher recorded 12 sacks and had 21 quarterback hits, while being strong against the run. It was the type of production that the Broncos were hoping for when they selected him with the fifth overall pick.

A direct beneficiary of Chubb’s stellar rookie season was Miller. That season, Miller recorded 14.5 sacks, the most in season for the veteran edge rusher since 2014, when he recorded 14 sacks. With Chubb out of the lineup last year, Miller recorded just eight sacks, his lowest career output in a season in which he played in more than nine games.

With Chubb back on the field to start the 2020 season, the Broncos will have one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the NFL. If Chubb plays the full season, it’s a safe bet to pencil him in for eight or more sacks, while providing solid run defense on the edge.

Denver enters the offseason with a lot of question marks surrounding what the makeup of their defense will look like when Week 1 rolls around. With Chubb back on the field and teamed with Miller, the Broncos have a good starting point to build a foundation around.

[vertical-gallery id=631819]

Broncos expect Bradley Chubb to be healthy for OTAs

Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (ACL) is expected to be healthy in time for the start of OTAs.

There’s good news on the Broncos’ injury front.

Bradley Chubb, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury last September, has made “really good” progress in his recovery,” general manager John Elway told The Denver Post‘s Ryan O’Halloran at the Senior Bowl this week.

“He looks great,” Elway said. “I [jokingly] asked with about five weeks left in the season if he was ready to go. He should be ready to go for OTAs [in May] or even the offseason program [in April].”

That’s great news for Denver’s defense.

Chubb (6-4, 275 pounds) was selected by the Broncos with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. After a standout career at N.C. State, Chubb transitioned well to Denver’s 3-4 defense, totaling 12 sacks as a rookie.

Chubb earned PWFA All-Rookie honors in 2018 and was named a Pro Bowl second alternate. Last year, his season was cut short just four games into the campaign. He will provide a big boost to the defense in 2020.

[vertical-gallery id=631293]

Broncos spoke with DL Michael Danna at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Broncos spoke with Michigan defensive lineman Michael Danna after an East-West Shrine Bowl practice last week.

The Denver Broncos spoke with Michigan defensive lineman Michael Danna after an East-West Shrine Bowl practice on Jan. 14, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com.

After three standout years at Central Michigan, Danna (6-2, 261 pounds) transferred to Michigan before his senior season in 2019. During his time with the Chippewas, Danna totaled 151 tackles — including 27.5 tackles for losses — and 15 sacks, including a career-high 8.5 sacks in 2018.

As a senior with the Wolverines, Danna recorded 38 tackles and three sacks. He also forced one fumble. Danna was a defensive end in college but he could likely transition to being a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.

Bradley Chubb and Von Miller will both return for the 2020 season but Denver will need more depth behind them. Danna, who is projected to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent prospect, could be among the players the Broncos are considering for more depth at outside linebacker.

The draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 23–25.

[vertical-gallery id=631293]

Von Miller to participate in 2020 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown

Broncos star defender Von Miller is set to compete in the 2020 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown in Orlando.

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is among eight confirmed players who will participate in the 2020 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown next week.

In addition to Miller, Cleveland’s Nick Chubb, Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward, Cleveland’s Jarvis Landry, Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick, New England’s Stephon Gilmore, New Orleans’ Cameron Jordan and Detroit’s Darius Slay have also committed to the event.

More players will be announced in the coming days.

The AFC vs. NFC competition will feature “precision passing,” “best hands,” “dodgeball” and more. Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis will serve as one of the team captains for the AFC squad.

The Skills Showdown will air on ESPN on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. MT.

Miller also participated in the Skills Showdown last year. Judging from his passing performance, it’s safe to say Miller’s not going to take Drew Lock’s job anytime soon. He was born to play defense.

Miller and wide receiver Courtland Sutton are the only two Broncos currently set to play in the All-Star Game. Safety Kareem Jackson and returner Diontae Spencer also have a chance to reach the Pro Bowl as third alternates.

The 2020 Pro Bowl will be played in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 1:00 p.m. MT. The game will be simulcast on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ABC and Disney XD. Tickets to the game start at $45 on Ticketmaster.

[vertical-gallery id=631068]

Von Miller is a linebacker version of Derrick Henry

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller has similar measurables to Titans running back Derrick Henry.

The Titans have advanced to the AFC Championship game after shocking the Ravens in the divisional round of the playoffs on Saturday evening. Tennessee has a not-so-secret weapon in running back Derrick Henry, who has rushed for 377 yards in two postseason games.

The Broncos have a Henry of their own, he’s just not a running back.

Denver outside linebacker Von Miller (6-3, 250 pounds) has nearly identical measurables to Henry (6-3, 247 pounds). The two players posted similar numbers at their respective combines, as this NFL Network graphic shows:

Miller attended the combine in 2011. Henry attended in 2016.

It’s easy to imagine Henry playing outside linebacker and disrupting games as a pass rusher like Miller, who has totaled 106 sacks in his career.

It’s a little harder to imagine Miller playing running back — he’s been a defensive end or outside linebacker dating all the way back to high school.

Who knows, though? Perhaps Miller could have been a star running back.

[vertical-gallery id=630172]

Bradley Chubb thinks Broncos could have one of NFL’s best LB corps in 2020

Broncos edge defender Bradley Chubb believes the team’s linebacker corps could rank among the NFL’s best in 2020.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb had a brilliant season in 2018, earning Pro Bowl alternate honors after totaling 12 sacks as a rookie. His 2019 season was cut short by a torn ACL. The 23-year-old edge defender plans to stay in Denver this offseason while he recovers.

“I’ve already started my rehab here, so I’m going to go ahead and stay here and continue to do it here with the altitude and all that too,” Chubb said on Dec. 30.

After Chubb fully recovers from the injury, he will return in 2020 to join a linebacker corps that has the potential to rank among the league’s best. The Broncos have a Super Bowl MVP in Von Miller, a rising talent in Alexander Johnson, sleepers in Justin Hollins and Malik Reed and — if re-signed — a potential gem in Jeremiah Attaochu.

“It could be for sure one of the best in the league,” Chubb said of the team’s group of linebackers. “You just look at the guys and look at the talent we have and see all those guys put in the work. Knowing what they did to get in this position, it’s cool to see. If we’re all able to stick together and do something big, I feel like it’s going to be special.”

Chubb totaled 21 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in four games last year before suffering his season-ending injury. Playing in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense, Chubb will look to help Denver’s linebackers live up to their high expectations in 2020.

[vertical-gallery id=627411]

Broncos should re-sign pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu this offseason

The Denver Broncos need to find a way to re-sign pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu after he stepped up during the 2019 season.

The Denver Broncos had a disappointing season — at least for those who may have thought the team was going to the playoffs and had a chance to win the Super Bowl — but there were still many small victories this season.

One of those was the signing of Jeremiah Attaochu.

Even the Broncos had to be surprised in what they found in Attaochu, who was only brought in after a season-ending injury to Bradley Chubb. With the season already in great peril at that time, the Broncos had to hit the free agent market and find some sort of pass rusher.

Attaochu, a former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers, was sitting there and likely would have sat out the entire season and maybe sat out for good had Denver not signed him.

Attaochu was with the Kansas City Chiefs in the preseason but did not make the team’s final 53-man roster. There is a good chance that could have been the end of the road in his NFL career, but the Broncos came calling.

In 12 games with the team, he registered 3.5 sacks, five hits on the quarterback and a fumble recovery. He frequently got pressure and pushed the quarterback outside the pocket on his defensive snaps.

Attaochu did everything the Broncos could have asked for and hoped of him, but he is now set to be an unrestricted free agent after just signing on with the Broncos for this season.

Attaochu, who will turn 27 years old this month, could still have plenty of football left in him and with his play this season, it’s possible he caught the eye of other teams around the league.

It’s said that a team can’t have enough pass rushers and a good situational pass rusher can be a defensive coordinator’s best chess piece. Attaochu can be that.

When the Broncos lost Chubb, fans immediately lamented the fact that Shaquil Barrett was no longer with the team. Barrett was busy leading the entire NFL with 19.5 sacks for his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hindsight is always 20/20 and there is no doubt the Broncos would have liked to have found a way to keep Barrett. However, the move to bring in Attaochu following the injury to Chubb was not only a big surprise, but it could also pay off in years to come.

Teammates have taken note of Attaochu’s talent and would undoubtedly like to see him back for the 2020 season.

“Jerry’s a beast,” defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones said on Dec. 22. “I knew it from Day 1. I’ve always heard about his story — being at the Chargers and then injuries occurred. I’ve always known how talented Jerry was. To see him go out there and play and improve himself each week against every team is a credit to him and his work ethic.”

The Broncos have something in Attaochu as he could easily slide into the role that Barrett use to be in for the foreseeable future. The team needs to find a way to re-sign him this offseason.

Don’t sleep on this guy.

[vertical-gallery id=630172]

Broncos OLB Von Miller named to NFL.com’s All-Decade Team

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team this week.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller was named to NFL.com’s 2010s All-Decade Team this week. He is the only Broncos player who made the team.

Miller (6-3, 250 pounds) was selected by the Broncos with the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft after winning the Butkus Award (given to college football’s best linebacker) while at Texas A&M.

Miller is one of two “edge rushers” on the all-decade team, joining Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt. Miller and Watt have combined to total 201 sacks over the last decade.

Here is what NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling had to say about Miller:

Why is Watt only second in sacks over the past 10 years? Because edge-rushing terror Von Miller amassed 105 to go with a league-best 26 forced fumbles over the same span. He was the linchpin and Super Bowl MVP on a swarming defense that a biased John Elway considers the best he’s ever seen.

Miller is the Broncos’ all-time leader in sacks, an eight-time Pro Bowler, a seven-time All-Pro and now a member of an all-decade team.

[vertical-gallery id=629941]

Ex-Broncos OLB Shaq Barrett earns Pro Bowl nod after leading NFL in sacks

In his first season as a full-time starter, former Broncos outside linebacker Shaq Barrett leads the NFL in sacks.

After spending the first five years of his career as a rotational pass rusher behind Broncos stars including Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Bradley Chubb, outside linebacker Shaq Barrett became a free agent in March.

Barrett made it clear that he wanted to go somewhere where he could be a starter and he picked the Buccaneers, betting on himself to win a starting job. Denver couldn’t offer him a starting position over Miller or Chubb.

Barrett’s gamble paid off as he quickly emerged as a starter in Tampa Bay and had a breakout season in 2019, leading the NFL with 16.5 sacks through 14 games. His previous career-high was 5.5 sacks in 2015. Earlier this week, Barrett was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.

Barrett’s success as a starter hasn’t been a surprise to Miller.

“I’m definitely not surprised,” Miller said in October. “All the plays that he’s making, he made them in practice. The spin versus the Rams, he’s done stuff like that. Interceptions, he’s done stuff like that here in practice.”

Barrett is scheduled to become a free agent again in 2020. Bucs coach Bruce Arians said earlier this week that Barrett “ain’t going nowhere.”

[vertical-gallery id=629497]

OLB Jacob Martin says he will excel in whatever the Texans ask him to do

Houston Texans outside linebacker Jacob Martin has flourished as of late, in large part because he will do whatever the team asks of him.

The name Jacob Martin no longer stands as a “throw-in” for the Houston Texans’ trade away of Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks. He is a blossoming pass-rusher for the 8-4 team down in Houston.

In back-to-back prime time games, Martin has shown just that. While defeating both the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, the second-year Temple product has 2.5 sacks and four quarterbacks, leading the Texans through those two weeks.

Martin’s recent boom of production should come as no surprise. He’s worked at it meticulously and, since joining the team on Aug. 31, has volunteered to do whatever he can.

“I would just say, just staying consistent with my craft and my technique. Not changing anything up, not changing my preparation up,” said Martin on his development on Thursday. “And, obviously, just waiting for my number to be called.”

Through 12 active games, Martin has played in 35% of special teams snaps (111) and 22.5% of defensive ones (183). Recently, he’s seen an uptick in defensive snaps, going from 13 to 24 to 45 since Week 10.

“Anything I can do for this team, I will,” continued Martin. “Whatever they ask me to do. If that’s strictly special teams, then that’s special teams. If that’s pass-rushing, that’s pass-rushing. But, whatever they ask me to do, I will excel at.”

Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel sees growth in Martin. In the process, he is experimenting by moving him around and giving him a bigger role in the defense.

“I think he is beginning to experiment with different moves. His straight-line ability really helps because he’s really fast off the edge, but he’s been experimenting with things and we’ve been moving him around a little bit along that front.”

The Texans have struggled to get to the quarterback in 2019. That is only emphasized since J.J. Watt’s pectoral tear in Week 8, which earned him a spot on the injured reserve. Perhaps Martin will provide a boost as Houston gears up for a playoff run.