Last season, I’d argue that the Denver Broncos boasted one of the two or three best inside-linebacker combos in the entire NFL, and they did it with former fifth- (Brandon Marshall) and and sixth-round (Danny Trevathan) picks. Oh, and when one of those two couldn’t play, the former undrafted free agent Todd Davis stepped in and did a heck of a job.
The question for me becomes: Were those guys true diamonds in the rough or is the Broncos’ defensive staff so good at developing inside linebackers that nearly anyone would have been able to perform at such an elite level?
If it’s the former, then John Elway better make a point to bring back both Marshall (restricted) and Trevathan (unrestricted) this offseason in free agency. If it’s the latter, then letting Trevathan walk and developing Davis is probably the wisest option.
My guess, though, is that the truth is somewhere in between the two, but it is an interesting question to think about, especially as free agency is just days away.
Here are five free agent inside linebackers who could be starting for the Denver Broncos next season:
5. Keenan Robinson
EXPERIENCE: 3 years DRAFT: 4th round (119th overall) out of Texas
CAREER STARTS: 21 HONORS: None
’15 CAP HIT: $765 K PREDICTED ’16 CAP HIT: $2-3 M
LAST YEAR: 62 total tackles; 1 interception; 1 fumble recovery
BEST YEAR: 1.5 sacks; 104 total tackles; 1 interception; 1 fumble recovery (’14)
WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BE INTERESTED: Keenan Robinson has a good deal of starting experience, but he’s still young and raw. This is the guy the Broncos go pick up on the cheap if they think they can turn him from league-average to elite.
And he has potential. After hardly playing his first year in Washington, Robinson took over as the full-time starter in 2014 and immediately put up 100-plus tackles. His 2015 campaign wasn’t nearly as successful, but I wouldn’t be too worried about that; it’ll just bring the price down.
As a low-ticket item, Robinson may be the best around.
4. Rolando McClain
EXPERIENCE: 5 years DRAFT: 1st round (8th overall) out of Alabama
CAREER STARTS: 61 HONORS: None
’15 CAP HIT: $2.6 M PREDICTED ’16 CAP HIT: $4-5 M
LAST YEAR: 2 sacks; 80 total tackles; 1 interception; 1 touchdown
BEST YEAR: 1 sack; 87 total tackles; 2 interceptions; 1 forced fumble (’14)
WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BE INTERESTED: If the NFL was based entirely on talent, McClain should probably be first on the list. That No. 8 overall selection looks shocking now, but he was worth it at the time.
Unfortunately, character is hard to predict.
Remember, it wasn’t that long ago that McClain retired at the age of 23, only to sign with Dallas after a year out of the league in 2014. For the Broncos, or anyone else bringing McClain in, the hope would be that he’s sorted through his issues, but no one can be sure.
If he were able to keep his head on straight, though, it would be one heck of a pickup. Again, the guy is still just 26 years old.
3. Jerrell Freeman
EXPERIENCE: 4 years DRAFT: Undrafted out of Mary Hardin-Baylor
CAREER STARTS: 57 HONORS: None
’15 CAP HIT: $2.4 M PREDICTED ’16 CAP HIT: $4-5
LAST YEAR: 3 sacks; 112 total tackles; 1 interception; 1 fumble recovery
BEST YEAR: 5.5 sacks; 144 total tackles; 2 interceptions; 6 forced fumbles; 2 fumble recovery (’13)
WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BE INTERESTED: Jerrell Freeman is never going to jump of the screen at you like a Luke Kuechly might, but he’s one heck of a football player. Since coming over from the CFL, Freeman has been a lynchpin of the Colts’ defense, topping 100 total tackles in all four of his seasons in Indianapolis.
He’s a little old for just a fifth-year player (thanks to those three seasons in Canada) at 29, but he could easily slide inside for the Broncos and make an immediate impact.
2. Derrick Johnson
EXPERIENCE: 11 years DRAFT: 1st round (15th overall) out of Texas
CAREER STARTS: 141 HONORS: Pro Bowl (’11, ’12, ’13, ’15); 1st-Team All-Pro (’11); 2nd-Team All-Pro (’15); 2nd-Team All-Pro (’15)
’15 CAP HIT: $5.3 M PREDICTED ’16 CAP HIT: $5.9M
LAST YEAR: 4 sacks; 116 total tackles; 2 interceptions
BEST YEAR: 2 sacks; 131 total tackles; 2 interceptions; 1 fumble recover (’11)
WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BE INTERESTED: The only reason Derrick Johnson isn’t No. 1 is because he’s already 33 years old. But even still, he’s an elite inside linebacker.
Last season, after missing the final 15 games in 2014, Johnson put together one of the best seasons of his career, leading the Chiefs defense to the playoffs and earning his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl. While he’d most likely be no more than a short-term option for the Broncos, he’d be able to come in from day one and play at an All-Pro level.
1. Danny Trevathan
EXPERIENCE: 4 years DRAFT: 6th round (188th overall) out of Kentucky
CAREER STARTS: 32 HONORS: None
’15 CAP HIT: $1.6 M PREDICTED ’16 CAP HIT: $6 M
LAST YEAR: 109 total tackles; 2 interceptions; 1 touchdown
BEST YEAR: 2 sacks; 152 total tackles; 3 interceptions; 3 forced fumbles; 1 fumble recovery (’13)
WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BE INTERESTED: Why is Danny Trevathan No. 1? Is it because he’s the best player on this list? No, that’s clearly Derrick Johnson. It’s, honestly, because he’s a Bronco, and that’s it.
What was so special about last year’s defense wasn’t just that they were good — they were great — but it was that they were a family, as close as any unit I’ve ever seen. I can’t promise that’ll remain the same if new guys get shuffled in and out. All I know is that these guys want and love to play with each other.
Plus, he’s a pretty darn good player in his own right.