The Broncos used their fifth-round pick (No. 178) Saturday to select Wake Forest outside linebacker Justin Strnad.
Strnad, 23, is listed at 6-foot-3 and 238 pounds. As a redshirt senior, he was limited to seven games because of a biceps injury. In seven games, he had 69 tackles and five pass break-ups.
“It was honestly a tough time, but the people around me helped me get through that and it brings us to today, which is a great opportunity,” Strnad said.
In 46 career games (20 starts) for Wake Forest, he had 244 tackles (22 1/2 for lost yardage), eight sacks, 14 pass break-ups and four interceptions.
“(I’m comfortable at) either one of the inside backer spots,” Strnad said in a media conference call. “I’m looking forward to helping the Broncos win games and contribute any way I can.”
If the Broncos try Strnad at inside linebacker, he could get a chance to play in sub-package situations if he proves capable in pass coverage.
“I feel very comfortable in pass coverage,” Strnad said. “I played safety in high school so itap something I’ve been doing for a long time. I (have to) just continue to work on man-to-man coverage — we didn’t play too much man in college.”
Strnad ran the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds at the combine.
If he stays at outside linebacker, Strnad will compete with Malik Reed, Jeremiah Attaochu and Justin Hollins for playing time.
In the fifth round, the Broncos originally had No. 156, but that was flipped to San Francisco with receiver Emmanuel Sanders for third- and fourth-round picks. The 49ers traded that pick this morning to Washington in a package for left tackle Trent Williams.
Justin Strnad
Round/pick: Fifth/178th overall
Age: 23
Position: Linebacker
Height/weight: 6-3/238
College: Wake Forest
Hometown: Palm Harbor, Fla.
Notable: A high school safety who was recruited as a linebacker. … Redshirted in 2015 and was a backup in 2016-17 (combined 70 tackles). As a 13-game starter in ’18, led team with 105 tackles. … Had 69 tackles in first seven games of ’19 before sustaining torn biceps tendon that required surgery. … Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds at combine. … Was an inside linebacker for Wake Forestap base nickel package.
