Broncos need more from their pass rush in 2024

The Broncos did not have any players with double-digit sacks in 2024 and the defense ranked 22nd out of 32 teams with 42 total sacks.

The Denver Broncos totaled 42 sacks in 2023, tied for the 11th-lowest total in the NFL, and the worst total in the AFC West. Elsewhere in the division, the Las Vegas Raiders (46 sacks), Los Angeles Chargers (48 sacks) and Kansas City Chiefs (57 sacks) got more production from their pass rushers.

The Broncos will need more from their edge defenders in 2024. Part of the problem in 2023 was leaning on Randy Gregory and Frank Clark early in the year. Both players were off the team by mid-season.

Another hindrance was Baron Browning’s meniscus tear that sidelined him for the first six games of the campaign. After he returned from that injury, Browning had modest production, totaling 4.5 sacks in 10 games.

Jonathon Cooper (8.5 sacks) and Nik Bonitto (8.0 sacks) were the team’s most productive pass rushers in 2023, but both of them might be better suited for a rotational rusher role instead of a regular starting gig.

If Browning is able to reach his potential in 2024, Denver could pair him with a high-profile pass rusher. Cooper and Bonitto would be excellent rotation options in such a scenario. If Browning never turns into the kind of pass rusher the Broncos hope he can be, Denver will eventually need two starting-caliber edge defenders.

The Broncos are set to select 12th overall in the 2024 NFL draft and that might be an ideal place to land a top pass rusher. Recent mock drafts have Denver landing Laiatu Latu, Jared Verse and Chop Robinson at that spot. Whether it’s one of those options or another prospect, the Broncos would be wise to bring in a high-profile pass rusher in 2024.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Broncos sign 12 players to reserve/future contract

The Broncos signed 12 players to reserve/future contracts on Monday. They will officially join the 90-man offseason roster in March.

Following the conclusion of their 2023 season, the Denver Broncos have signed 12 players to reserve/future contracts.

Perhaps the most notable signing is that of quarterback Ben DiNucci, who spent all of the 2023 season on the practice squad and was elevated to Denver’s game-day roster three times.

With Russell Wilson expected to be released in March, DiNucci and Jarrett Stidham will be left as the Broncos’ two quarterbacks going into 2024. Denver will likely add at least one more QB, either through free agency or the draft (or both) this spring.

Players who were not on an active roster at the end of the season are eligible to sign reserve/future contracts (every player on the practice squad is eligible, for example). These players will officially join the 90-man offseason roster when the NFL’s new league year begins on March 13.

Here’s a look at the 12 players the Broncos have signed to future deals.

Broncos buzz: Injuries, fines and elevations before Week 17

The Broncos placed RB Dwayne Washington on the reserve/NFI list and called up WR Michael Bandy, WR Phillip Dorsett and OLB Ronnie Perkins.

The Denver Broncos made several roster moves on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

First, the Broncos placed running back Dwayne Washington (illness) on the reserve/non-football illness list. To fill Washington’s former spot on the 53-man roster, Denver promoted receiver/returner Michael Bandy from the practice squad to the active roster.

With Courtland Sutton (concussion) ruled out and Jerry Jeudy (illness) and Marvin Mims (hamstring) both questionable, Bandy can provide more depth on offense and special teams against the Chargers.

In addition to the Bandy-for-Washington swap, the Broncos also elevated wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 17. Dorsett and Perkins will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

Fine update: Denver guard Quinn Meinerz was fined $7,251 by NFL for unnecessary roughness against the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve. Meinerz was penalized for jumping on Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley in the second quarter.

Broncos made several roster moves ahead of Lions game

The Broncos added Lucas Krull to 53-man roster, moved Ronnie Perkins to the practice squad and elevated Ben DiNucci and Tyler Lancaster.

The Denver Broncos made several roster moves ahead of Saturday’s game against the Detroit Lions.

First, the team waived outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins from the 53-man roster on Thursday. To fill Perkins’ former spot on the active roster, Denver promoted tight end Lucas Krull from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The Broncos re-signed Perkins to the practice squad on Saturday.

Additionally, the team elevated quarterback Ben DiNucci and nose tackle Tyler Lancaster from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday. DiNucci and Lancaster will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

Krull previously used up his three practice squad elevations, so the Broncos had to fully promote him to the active roster so he can play in Detroit. Krull is now set to serve as the team’s third-string tight end behind Adam Trautman and Chris Manhertz.

The Broncos have not yet activated tight end Greg Dulcich, who is eligible to return from injured reserve. Dulcich recovered from his hamstring injury and practiced on Wednesday, only to then suffer a foot injury that ruled him out for Week 15.

Saturday’s game will be nationally televised on NFL Network.

Broncos sign pass rusher Ronnie Perkins off Patriots’ practice squad

After losing Frank Clark to a hip injury, the Broncos signed OLB Ronnie Perkins off the Patriots’ practice squad .

The Denver Broncos have added more depth at outside linebacker following Sunday’s 35-33 loss to the Washington Commanders.

The Broncos signed pass rusher Ronnie Perkins off the New England Patriots’ practice squad, the team announced Monday. He will add depth to the position after the team lost Frank Clark to a hip injury.

Denver had an open spot on the active roster for Perkins after placing tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring) on injured reserve last week. Dulcich will be eligible to return from IR after four games.

Perkins (6-3, 253 pounds) entered the league as a third-round pick out of Oklahoma with the Patriots in 2021. Perkins was inactive for New England’s first 13 games in his rookie season and then went on injured reserve. Perkins then missed the entire 2022 season on IR before beginning the 2023 campaign on the Patriots’ practice squad.

Perkins is yet to make an appearance in a regular-season NFL game. In college, he totaled 98 tackles (32 behind the line), 16.5 sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble in 61 games with the Sooners.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Report: Former Patriots third-round pick LB signs with Broncos

LB Ronnie Perkins was reportedly claimed off the Patriots’ practice squad.

The Denver Broncos claimed former New England Patriots linebacker Ronnie Perkins off the practice squad on Monday, according to multiple media reports.

Perkins never played a snap for New England. He was drafted by the organization in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Injuries plagued him throughout his tenure with the Patriots. He spent most of his rookie season on injured reserve and appeared in a preseason game this year.

Perkins was a miss in a class that included key contributors for New England. Quarterback Mac Jones and running back Rhamondre Stevenson were undoubtedly the crown jewels of the group. Now, Perkins will get a fresh start on a Broncos team that could use the help.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has historically had success in the draft, but the draft misses have been piling up as of late. Perkins’ exit is just another recent example of that fact.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Winners and losers from Patriots’ 23-7 loss at Tennessee

Who are the winners and losers from New England’s final preseason game?

On Friday night, the New England Patriots visited the Music City to take on the Tennessee Titans in their final 2023 preseason game. While the Patriots’ meager 57 team passing yards and 55 team rushing yards drove the way for a less-than-satisfying offensive performance, they still had some standout stars in the 23-7 defeat.

But what Friday’s game did best was give those players on the fringe of making New England’s final 53-man roster one last shot to prove themselves and give the team a reason to keep them around for at least the start of the season.

Here are some winners and losers from the game.

Studs and duds from Patriots’ preseason finale loss to Titans

Who were the studs and duds for the Patriots on Friday night?

The preseason didn’t end the way the New England Patriots hoped in Friday’s road trip meeting with the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. There were issues on offense, defense and special teams that culminated in a 23-7 loss for New England.

The Patriots opted not to play their starters in this game, while the Titans trotted starters on the field for several plays. Even starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill got in on the action briefly.

It wasn’t the most exciting game given the constant struggles along the offensive front. Bailey Zappe, who received the starting nod, looked helpless against the Titans’ defensive front. On defense, the Patriots did show some promise, but they also struggled keeping scrambling Titans quarterback Malik Willis in check.

Let’s take a look at the studs and duds from the game.

51 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 51 for New England

Here’s a list of every Patriots player to wear the No. 51 jersey number

The New England Patriots are officially 51 days away from their regular season opener, which means we’re continuing out countdown series by listing every player that has ever worn the No. 51 throughout franchise history.

Third-year linebacker Ronnie Perkins currently wears the number that has been draped across the jerseys of 24 total Patriots players in the past. Former All-Pro linebacker and current Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo was one of those players.

The former first-round draft pick stepped in as one of the new-age players to take over roles previously held by defensive legends like Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel. He helped kick-start the second half of the Patriots’ three Super Bowl victories in a 17-year span.

Here’s every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 51 (via Pro Football Reference):

5 takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners performance at the NFL Scouting Combine

Five takeaways from Oklahoma Sooners at the 2023 NFL Scouting combine.

One of the biggest weekends for the football world just came to completion. This weekend served as a massive evaluation tool for determining the future of the next stars of the NFL.

Oklahoma has no shortage of stars in the pro ranks at the moment but has the opportunity for a number of players to hear their names called in April.

Seven Sooners made the trek to Indianapolis to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Oklahoma Sooners, as a whole, put on a fine display of athleticism as multiple players put up great testing numbers. Social media was set ablaze watching [autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag], [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag], and [autotag]Jalen Redmond[/autotag] test. With the combine over, these former Sooners will begin preparing for their pro day.

Here are five takeaways about the Oklahoma Sooners from the NFL Scouting Combine.