Draft Preview: Linebackers
Broncos in-house offseason moves: Re-signed ILB Josey Jewell, OLB Malik Reed and ILB Jonas Griffith and signed ILB Alex Singleton (Philadelphia) and OLB Randy Gregory (Dallas).
Under contract: OLB — Gregory (five more years), Reed (one), Bradley Chubb (one), Jonathon Cooper (three), Andre Mintze (two) and Aaron Patrick (two). ILB — Singleton (one), Jewell (two), Griffith (one), Baron Browning (three), Justin Strnad (two) and Barrington Wade (two).
Need scale (1-10): 6. Yes, this position remains a high priority even after signing Gregory and Singleton and retaining Jewell. The key is how they view Browning. If they see him as a starting inside linebacker alongside Jewell, it means edge rusher should be a focus; if they see him as an edge player, it means inside linebacker should be a need.
Top Five
1. OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan: Consensus safe pick to go first overall to Jacksonville and be paired opposite rusher Josh Allen. One-year wonder — 4 1/2 sacks in 2018-20, 14 sacks last year.
2. OLB Travon Walker, Georgia: Draft season riser because of size (6-foot-5, 272 pounds), 40 time (4.51 seconds). Six sacks, 37 tackles last year for Bulldogs.
3. ILB Devin Lloyd, Utah: Ultra-productive college player (255 tackles, 16 1/2 sacks, five interceptions) who can be immediate every-down NFL player.
4. OLB Jermaine Johnson, Florida State: Had to leave Georgia to get playing time and capitalized, leading ACC in sacks (12), tackles for lost yardage (18) in winning league defensive player of the year.
5. OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon: Nineteen sacks in 32 career games, but opinions vary — could go second to Detroit or fall to Giants at No. 7.
Broncos’ Options
The Broncos don’t have a first-round pick, but do have nine selections. A look at five possibilities:
1. ILB Chad Muma, Wyoming: Native of Lone Tree (Legend High) nearly doubled his tackle total from 2020 to ’21 (72/142). Intercepted three passes. An option for Broncos at No. 64?
2. ILB Troy Andersen, Montana State: Played running back/linebacker in 2017 and ’19, quarterback in ’20. As full-time linebacker last year, had 147 tackles, two interceptions.
3. OLB DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky: Played whopping 62 college games with 34 sacks, 60 tackles for lost yardage. Weighed 243 pounds at combine so can he hold up against the run?
4. ILB Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma: A light player (226 pounds), could be a sub-package cover linebacker option for Broncos. Had 178 tackles and 13 tackles for lost yardage in 37 games.
5. OLB Micheal Clemons, Texas A&M: At 263 pounds, has girth to set the edge in Broncos’ 3-4 base front. Eleven sacks in 15 games over last two years for Aggies.
Thursday: Running backs.
