Finding Broncos: 3 Versatile OLBs with Starter Potential

The Broncos need pass rusher help, and in this deep class, one of these three could provide that help.

Western Michigan lineman Marshawn Kneeland clashes with Saint Francis offense during the season / Becca Mahon/Battle Creek Enquirer / USA

While the Denver Broncos have some quality edge rushers, they still need that top guy. This is a deep edge class with talent at the top and quality options that can be found on days two and three. The Broncos need to add someone at some point, especially with Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper entering the final year of their contracts. 

One of these three could be an ideal fit in a draft with multiple options. 

Sep 18, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Vincent Davis (22) / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Marshawn Kneeland | Western Michigan

• Height: 6-foot-3
• Weight: 267 pounds
• Arm Length: 34-1/2 inches
• Hands: 9-1/8 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 9.55

Pros

There is surprising agility with Kneeland, and that stems from his time as a tight end. The fluidity with his direction changes opens up new pathways for him to attack whoever has the ball. He brings power with his hands that can help him control the blockers instead of being controlled himself. 

The motor runs non-stop, and there is no questioning his effort. He will get back up and chase down the play if knocked down. When working through a cluttered line of scrimmage, he does well to stay free and find his way to the ball carrier. 

Kneeland has good versatility and can play in multiple schemes and multiple fronts. He has a great frame and build, which helps his versatility, and can provide some interior rusher ability. His run defense is exceptional, and he might be the best run defender of the class. 

Cons

There is good agility, but he doesn’t utilize it much with his pass rush. He could do it by adding more finesse moves to his arsenal and diversifying. Adding more finesse moves could help make his power moves even more effective. 

He needs a consistent plan with his pass rush, adding more counters to his arsenal, and finesse moves. There also needs to be more consistent usage with his hands to stack blockers at the point of attack. 

Fit With Broncos

Kneeland would be an excellent fit with the Broncos and what they need upfront. They have a unit that struggles with their run defense, so adding someone like Kneeland would immediately boost the run defense from the room. 

Big Board Position: No. 45 overall.

What happens next on the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second, sign up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Nov 25, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers offensive lineman Izavion Miller (72) blocks as / Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Braswell | Alabama

• Height: 6-foot-3
• Weight: 251 pounds
• Arm Length: 33-1/4 inches
• Hands: 9-3/8 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 8.70

Pros

The explosion off the snap gets him upfield as a pass rusher almost immediately. The explosiveness and a consistent and diverse plan as a pass rusher are two of the best traits he brings to the NFL. He will throw all sorts of moves at his blocker to get after the quarterback. 

Braswell has a good arsenal as a pass rusher, and they are all well-developed. He also can make certain drops in coverage, meaning there can be some creativity with his usage. There is a good bend to flatten the curve and get after the quarterback. 

There is an immediate path to contribute as a rookie, as a situational pass rusher, and on special teams. His explosiveness can see him shoot by the blockers and put pressure on the punter, leading to a block or disrupted punt. 

Cons

There isn’t much experience with Braswell, and he doesn’t offer up much as a run defender. He doesn’t have the strength or power to hold up at the point of attack and doesn’t engage blockers with force. 

While his arsenal does have some diversity and multiple moves, he needs counters. He needs those counters because he needs to work back inside when he gets upfield too quickly. His explosiveness also leads to giving up gap integrity, creating an avenue for the quarterback to escape. 

Fit With Broncos

Braswell is similar to a couple of the pass rushers the Broncos already have. There are a lot of similarities between Browning and Nik Bonitto, including the issue of being a run defender. The run defense for the Broncos needs to be a priority after how consistently they were gashed last season, and Braswell doesn’t help in that area. 

Big Board Position: No. 74 overall.

Kansas State senior quarterback Will Howard (18) is sacked by Kansas redshirt sophomore defensive / Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA

Austin Booker | Kansas

• Height: 6-foot-4.5
• Weight: 240 pounds
• Arm Length: 33-7/8 inches
• Hands: 9-1/4 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 6.97

Pros

The frame is exceptional and can carry more weight and mass. He has good explosion skills and all the athletic traits teams want to work with at the NFL level. Every box is checked, but he is extremely raw as a football player. Some felt Booker had a chance to be a first-round prospect in 2025 if he returned to school and developed, speaking to how high of a ceiling he possesses with untapped potential. 

There are some good football elements to his game, including turning his explosiveness into power and a spin counter that is well-developed and executed. He is shifty with his upper body and can turn his shoulders to turn good punches into bad punches or take glancing blows from blockers. 

Booker has great length and uses it exceptionally well to keep blockers off his frame. He uses the length well to get after the quarterback and has the potential to develop an elite long-arm move for the NFL. The athletic testing was worse than expected, but the athleticism, speed, and burst are on tape, and he has multiple reps for chasing down the ball carrier. 

Cons

There is a significant lack of experience with Booker, with no starts under his belt and only 505 snaps played on defense. While the production was great for one season, with 482 snaps, it was a lone season, making him a complete projection for the NFL. 

His game needs more strength and power, which creates issues holding up at the point of attack. He doesn’t have the sand in his pants to hold up consistently and set the edge as a run defender. 

Booker needs to learn how to protect his chest from blockers and keep them from his frame. When blockers get into his frame, he can't get them off it, and he ends up being controlled for the rep. 

Fit With Broncos

Booker fits the scheme, but he has those run defense issues that the Broncos can’t afford to take on. That is an area in which they need to find help from the edge room instead of adding to those issues. There is a ton of upside with Booker to take a chance on, but with where he is projected to go, the Broncos may be unable to afford that. 

Big Board Position: No. 76 overall.

Better Fit for Broncos

When you look at what the Broncos need from their edge rushers, there is an evident weakness in run defense. Of these three edge rushers, Braswell and Booker have severe issues in that department. Kneeland would be an immediate boost to the run defense that the Broncos need while boosting their pass rush potential, which needs help to win with four rushers more consistently. 

Follow Mile High Huddle on band Facebook.

Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!