This is the NFL offseason, the time between OTAs and training camp, when players flee to exotic landscapes for one last vacation before the hard work continues, and when fans hope and pray they don’t see their favorite player’s name and “arrested” in the same sentence.
We often say that the NFL season never stops, and that’s mostly true, but if it ever did, it would be during these few weeks in June and July.
Fortunately, that gives us some time to regroup, take stock of the Broncos’ draft and free agent class, and look forward to training camp. In the next few weeks, we’ll be publishing positional previews three times a week in preparation for the franchise’s run towards a fourth championship.
Last season, the Denver Broncos were carried to the Super Bowl on the backs of their pass rush, and it was their outside linebacker duo of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware that did most of the heavy lifting. This year, while the gang is projected to be back together, there are plenty of question marks facing this unit.
The hope is that the largest of those will be answered by July 15.
Projected Depth Chart:
STARTERS:
BACKUP:
FIGHTING FOR A ROSTER SPOT:
Vontarrius Dora
Kyle Kragen
Sadat Sulleyman
Biggest Question: Who will be on the field this year?
When Miller, Ware, Ray and Barrett are all healthy and available for the Broncos, this is one of, if not the best, position groups in the entire NFL. The big caveat, though, is when.
Of course everyone knows about the contract negotiations with Miller. The Broncos and Miller now only have until Friday to reach a contract extension, or else Miller will have to either play under the $14.1 million franchise tag this year or follow through with his threat to sit out the entire 2016 season.
If a long-term deal isn’t reached by Friday and Miller does actually hold out all year, that would be a massive blow to this position, the defense and the entire team. Miller is the best player on the Denver Broncos and not having him would drastically change the outlook of their season.
Thanks to Miller’s contract negotiations, Aqib Talib’s gunshot wound to the leg and the quarterback battle, Ware’s back injury has gone relatively unnoticed. However, Ware’s health is almost as important to this year’s team’s success as Miller’s contract negotiations.
Ware did not participate in any of the OTAs this offseason due to the lingering back problems he dealt with all last season. If his back is flaring up in May, when he’s had months and months off to rest, how can the Broncos count on him to be healthy from September or February?
The Broncos did say that Ware’s role will change from an every-down player to more of a situational pass rusher, and while this will decrease his reps, it’s hard to imagine this will solve his back problems. Last year, Ware started 10 games during the regular season and the Broncos shouldn’t expect much more out of him this coming year.
What the Broncos can expect from Ware is tremendous play from him when he is on the field, even if it’s only on third down and even if it’s only around 10 games of the year.
Considering there are major questions surrounding both starters, it is hard to predict the success of this position, and the team, until these questions are answered.
Most-Important Player: Von Miller
Miller isn’t just the best player on the team, he is one of the leaders and favorites among the locker room, especially after Peyton Manning‘s retirement. If Miller were to sit out the entire season, his loss would be felt just as much in the locker room as it would be on the field.
If Miller is playing with the Broncos at the level he has played at for most of his career, the Broncos will have one of the best pass rushes in the league yet again, even if Ware isn’t healthy. When Miller is on the field, he significantly helps the other outside linebacker who is on the field — whether that be Ware, Ray or Barrett — by forcing the opposing team to use many resources to stop Miller. Miller changes the opposing teams gameplan, and then wreaks havoc.
If Miller holds out this year, though, the entire defense changes. This puts more pressure on the other outside linebackers, as well as the entire secondary. It forces Ray and Barrett to change from young talent to productive playmakers, which could be too much pressure for them to handle. It puts more pressure on the defensive line to create a pass rush in the middle of the line instead of focusing on stuffing the run. Miller’s absence would drastically change the way that this defense plays.
Just having No. 58 on the field gives a major boost to this great defense. Only imagine what it could look like if Miller plays anywhere near how he did during last year’s Super Bowl run.
Surprise Player: Shane Ray
It’s hard to say that a first-round pick could be a surprise player, but with all of the talent at this position Ray will likely go under the radar and could have a breakout season. If Ware and Miller are able to play a significant amount this year, Ray will play a similar relief role that he played last year.
As a rookie, Ray showed flashes of his first-round talent, while also having a few rookie mistakes. After an offseason where Ray focused on getting stronger and treating his body better, he could be ready for a great sophomore campaign.
Last year, Ray played in 31 percent of the defensive snaps. Expect Ray to play at least 40 percent of the snaps this year with a potential for more depending on Miller and Ware. After four sacks last season, don’t be surprised if Ray approaches eight sacks this year.
Grade: A+
This grade assumes that Miller will be on the team and that Ware will be relatively healthy. In that scenario, the outside linebackers are very deserving of an A+.
That said, if there are significant problems with Ware’s back and Miller’s availability, Ray and Barrett would not be able to carry this position on their own. The lack of depth would be a major problem and the entire Broncos defense would significantly change for the worse.
