Broncos Eye Inside Linebacker Options at NFL Combine
The Broncos are on the hunt for inside linebackers, a position that’s become a pressing need with their starters from the playoffs now entering free agency. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Denver sat down with several promising prospects, including Ohio State’s Sonny Styles and Missouri’s Josiah Trotter, among others. However, this doesn’t mean the Broncos have given up on re-signing their own free agents, Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad.
General Manager George Paton emphasized the importance of retaining Singleton and Strnad, who together bring a decade of experience in Denver. Paton expressed a strong desire to keep them in Broncos uniforms, highlighting their leadership and development within the team. Singleton, a team captain, and Strnad, a standout from the 2020 draft class, embody the kind of sustainable roster-building the Broncos aim for.
Strnad, in particular, might attract starting opportunities elsewhere, which complicates the decision-making process. If he returns, he could start alongside either Singleton or Dre Greenlaw. The financial implications are significant, as cutting or trading Greenlaw could save the Broncos over $6 million, but it would also leave a substantial amount of dead money.
The Broncos face a strategic decision: whether to keep Greenlaw as a reserve, despite his hefty cap figure, or to rely on the draft to strengthen the linebacker position. With this year’s draft class being particularly strong at inside linebacker, the team has options. Yet, Paton acknowledges the time it takes for rookies to adapt to the NFL, making veteran presence valuable.
Balancing the draft with veteran retention is a delicate task. While the Broncos are likely to add a linebacker through the draft, Paton’s commitment to his current players remains steadfast. He understands the importance of blending new talent with experienced leadership to build a cohesive and competitive team.
In the end, it’s about finding the right mix of new and old, ensuring the Broncos are ready to tackle the upcoming season with depth and resilience at the linebacker position.