The Denver Broncos experienced depth at defensive tackle is questionable heading into the 2023 NFL season. On Tuesday, the Broncos added another player to their roster in hopes he’ll provide them with a potential solution surrounding the concern around depth.
Tyler Lancaster joins the Broncos after spending all of 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders. Unfortunately for Lancaster, he didn’t play a single down in Vegas.
He was signed by the Raiders in May of last season but suffered a hand injury that landed him on injured reserve, ending his season. He was released with an injury settlement by Vegas shortly afterward.
After having a full year to recover and rehabilitate, Lancaster will be one of the various players on the Broncos 90-man roster who will compete for a spot on the 53-man roster in the regular season.
Lancaster spent four seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 2018-2021 — appearing in 59 games and starting 21 throughout his tenure in Green Bay.
The most action Lancaster saw as a starter came in 2019 where he appeared in 16 games and started in 10 of them that season. He finished 2019 with 1.5 sacks and 30 tackles.
His NFL journey initially began as an undrafted rookie free agent when Green Bay signed him — after that he fluctuated between the active roster and the practice squad various times throughout his four seasons there.
Heck of a play by Tyler Lancaster. Hold up against the double, shed the block, make the stop. Big time play. pic.twitter.com/58uMlfSzLf
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) November 7, 2020
At 6’3 313lbs, Lancaster can play in a three-technique (outside shoulder of the guard), a two (head up on the guard), 2i (inside shade of the guard), or the one-technique — which is either shoulder of the center.
As it currently stands, the Broncos’ depth at nose tackle or defensive tackle specifically includes veterans Mike Purcell, D.J. Jones, and Jonathan Harris.
D.J. Jones wins his 1-on-1 and “The Dark Side” physically imposes their will against Colts OL on this sack pic.twitter.com/WUjuix3fO8
— DB Film Study (@DBFilmStudy) October 8, 2022
Purcell enters the 2023 season in the final year of his contract with the Broncos, while Jones enters his second season with the team. Harris has maintained a role on the Broncos’ active roster/practice squad for the past couple of seasons.
Behind them waits a variety of young players who are all eager to cut their teeth in the NFL.
Elijah Garcia, Jordan Jackson, Haggai Ndubuisi, Eyioma Uwazurike, and undrafted rookie free agents P.J. Mustipher and now Lancaster will all receive ample opportunity to compete during minicamp, OTAs, and training camp.
With Vance Joseph taking over as the team’s next defensive coordinator, replacing Ejiro Evero from last season — stopping the run and generating pressure from the interior against opposing quarterbacks will be two measures that will be used to evaluate which players are viable for the active roster.
As Sean Payton steps in as the new head coach, the evaluation of every player will change going forward with this upcoming season serving as a new slate — ridding themselves of the disastrous season they suffered last year.
Who will emerge as a solidified depth option at nose tackle for the Denver Broncos? Keep an eye on undrafted rookie free agent PJ Mustipher from Penn State.
Mustipher was at Broncos’ rookie minicamp and his size and first step were easily noticeable at 6’4 318lbs.
A big fan of Penn State's PJ Mustipher as that early-down, two-gapper along the DL at the next level. Former HS wrestler who understands leverage at the POA and has great strength overall. pic.twitter.com/SbZjfEV9cq
— Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) February 20, 2023
During his time at Penn State, Mustipher finished with 145 career tackles, 3 sacks, and 11 tackles for a loss. He joins wide receiver KJ Hamler as one of only two Nittany Lions on the team’s roster.
The Denver Broncos will continue their on-field work in OTAs on Wednesday and Thursday this week at the Centura Health Training Center in Dove Valley.