Outside linebacker Von Miller, left, with former defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
INDIANAPOLIS — Few, if any, opposing coaches or players know the strengths of Von Miller better than Jack Del Rio, the Broncos’ former defensive coordinator.
Now the head coach in Oakland, Del Rio has another young but dominant edge rusher in Khalil Mack, who notoriously ran roughshod over the Broncos’ offensive line for five sacks of Brock Osweiler in a victory at Denver this past season.
But on Wednesday, the first day of the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, Del Rio put Miller in an elite class following his postseason performance and Super Bowl MVP award.
“Everybody got to see Von a few weeks ago when he dominated the Super Bowl and won MVP. He’s a special talent. His ability to bend and his quickness off the edge is probably, maybe only Derrick Thomas had that burst and ‘bendability,'” Del Rio said. “Someone like that is special. Just a great impact player.”
Thomas, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2009. Like Miller, he was also a Butkus Award winner in 1988 and the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year.
In Thomas’ 11 seasons (1989-99) with the Chiefs, he averaged 11.5 sacks and 58 total tackles, while leading the league with 20 sacks in 1990 and notching an NFL record seven in a loss to Seattle that season. Thomas died in 2000 after complications from a car accident.
Through five seasons, Miller is averaging 12 sacks and 52 total tackles. He finished 2015 ranked sixth in league history with the most sacks through his first five seasons, behind Reggie White (81), J.J. Watt (74.5), Thomas, DeMarcus Ware (64.5) and Richard Dent (61.5).
