Broncos' Top Draft LB Options to Replace Josey Jewell

The Denver Broncos could need a starting linebacker. Is there one in the draft?

The Denver Broncos have had solid but not great linebacker play over the past few years. A big reason for that has been the play of Josey Jewell, who is set to hit the free-agent market. 

The Broncos could look at extending him, but they're in a bad cap situation, so going the rookie route is likely the way they go. While this isn't a great linebacker class, there are still some options to look at to replace Jewell. 

2023 third-rounder Drew Sanders will have a chance of taking over, though his play as a rookie wasn't great. If Sanders wants the starting job, he must show significant improvement during the offseason and training camp. 

However, Sanders shouldn't be handed the starting job, which is why the Broncos should be looking to add help if Jewell wears a new uniform in 2024. There's a lot of time left until the draft, but this is not a great linebacker class. 

Maybe the Broncos can find a sleeper, or someone can emerge because this linebacker class needs help. It will be challenging for the Broncos to replace Jewell through the draft. 

That being said, let's examine a few of the top options in the 2024 NFL draft class. 

Edgerrin Cooper | Texas A&M

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Cooper is my top guy at the position and the ideal linebacker with his size and traits for how the game is played now. He has the length to clog throwing windows, the athleticism to cover, and the physicality to work between the tackles. 

He has many consistency issues in every phase and element of his game. Sometimes, he needs to take on blocks but will work around them instead, leaving a running lane open. While he has strength and power, he's inconsistent with his tackling mechanics and techniques when taking on blocks. 

Jeremiah Trotter | Clemson

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Trotter is a good football player, but a large shadow is cast over him because of his father. One of the biggest knocks against him will be his size and stiffness with his movement. Both are more old-school than modern-day, but you can still make a linebacker with his skills work in the NFL. 

Trotter's ability to read and diagnose plays is up there, and he is a missile when coming downhill as a run defender or a blitzer. There's no question about the power he plays with, and his technique is mostly clean and consistent. He's more of a stack linebacker, taking on blocks and working between the tackles than a guy who offers up a lot in coverage. 

Payton Wilson | North Carolina State

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Wilson is the mold of a modern-day linebacker, but his injury history must be cleared up. What accentuates that concern is he doesn't play in a way that helps protect his body, which can be done with cleaner and consistent technique in certain aspects. 

There is a good range, football IQ, and sense as a coverage linebacker. Wilson uses his hands well when covering or working downhill against the run, but he also gets his hands up to clog throwing lanes. Wilson will play to the whistle and is a leader on the field, but he must be consistent with his technique to help protect his body. 

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Junior Colson | Michigan

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When you look at modern linebackers, you want height and length, both of which Colson brings. He has good twitch and instincts to read and react to plays as they develop. 

There are no concerns about his strength, as Colson does well holding up at the point of attack. His biggest strength is what he brings to coverage with his awareness and athleticism. 

Colson has issues lunging for the ball carrier and coming up short. He also needs to improve his ability to get off blocks, especially at the point of attack. The strength and power are there, but getting the technique down needs to be done.

Marist Liufau | Notre Dame

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Liufau brings versatility to move around the linebacker corps, see the field, and even work at the edge. However, as a result, his versatility has hindered his development. 

There are athletic and strength issues, and Liufau doesn't do well in space. Those are all significantly limiting for an NFL linebacker. 

Now, Liufau is an intelligent linebacker who brings good awareness in zone coverage and trusts his mostly right instincts. He works well coming downhill against the run and brings good value as a blitzer. 

JD Bertrand | Notre Dame

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JD Bertrand is a leader on and off the field. During the week of the Senior Bowl, he was working with other linebackers and helping them figure things out. He is praised for his football IQ and sees the game exceptionally well. 

While Bertrand isn't the best athlete, he can work in certain zone coverages and does well working between the tackles against the run. However, missed tackles, especially in space, are a concern. There is also some concern about his strength overall, especially when dealing with blockers. 

Tommy Eichenberg | Ohio State

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If the Broncos want to replace Jewell, Tommy Eichenberg is probably not the guy they want. The way he plays and the strengths of his game are very similar to that of Alex Singleton. 

Eichenberg has a good football IQ and works exceptionally well working downhill between the tackles against the run. He doesn't have great lateral speed, so outside the tackle box, his run defense does take a hit. There also isn't much in coverage, and his awareness and instincts compound the athletic limitations with his coverage ability. 

Edefuan Ulofoshio | Washington

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Ulofoshio will carry size concerns throughout the draft process as he doesn't have the ideal length and a little underweight that teams want in the NFL. He's a good athlete and has moments where he flashes elite athleticism, but there isn't a consistency to it, and it does get him in trouble at times. 

The closing burst is outstanding and probably the athletic trait that Ulofoshio shows with the most consistency. He's also a smooth and fluid mover who can change directions and go with the flow of the play with relative ease. However, he lacks strength and power when taking on blocks and even with his tackling. 

Cedric Gray | UNC

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Gray is an explosive linebacker with good awareness, instincts, and range for coverage duties in the NFL. He also does quite well when coming downhill, using his explosiveness to engage blockers and hold at the point of attack. 

There is a question about whether there is an elite trait with Gray to work with, but he brings enough to all phases of defense and can contribute to defense. He will need to reign in his aggressiveness in pursuit and coverage to help cut back on some of the big plays he has allowed.

Michael Barrett | Michigan

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Barrett makes a lot of sense with where the Broncos struggled the most from their linebacker play. He's good in coverage and has good awareness. 

Barrett would bring plenty of experience, and there are no questions about his tackling, which was also an issue for the Broncos this past season. Despite his experience, his instincts are not what you would expect. 

Sometimes, Barrett isn't in the best position or doesn't have the best feel for the play. There are also concerns about his length for the NFL in terms of making throwing windows tighter. 

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