Denver Broncos Recent Struggles Prove Linebackers as Lynchpin of Defense

The Denver Broncos struggled in their Week 16 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Instead of coming out victorious and earning a first-round bye, the Broncos lost in large part because they couldn't slow down the Bengals rushing attack.

The Broncos defensive line features star players like DeMarcus Ware and Terrance Knighton. It's done a good job most weeks in creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and it occupies blockers to free up the linebackers behind it.

The linebacker corps has suffered multiple injuries this year, and the Broncos are now playing extremely young and inexperienced players at the position. Because of this, the Broncos have not looked as sharp defensively.

This team's recent struggles have proved just how important linebackers are to its defense.

2014 Free-Agency Plan

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The Broncos made some tough decisions in free agency earlier this year. They let several starters, like wide receiver Eric Decker, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and left guard Zane Beadles, move on in free agency. They even let a popular—and effective—linebacker move on to another team.

Wesley Woodyard was known as a leader and a versatile player for the Broncos ever since he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the team in 2008. Woodyard originally started his Broncos career as a special teams standout, but he quickly became a trusted weak-side linebacker in Denver.

In 2013, Woodyard was asked to play middle linebacker and moved without complaint. He was doing a decent job at his new position before a neck injury (stinger) in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys slowed him down.

Woodyard was not offered a new contract by the Broncos, and he ended up getting a four-year, $15.75 million deal from the Tennessee Titans. The contract includes $4.75 million in guaranteed money.

With Woodyard moving on, some felt the Broncos would make a move to add a free-agent middle linebacker like Daryl Smith or D'Qwell Jackson. Neither player was snared by the Broncos. Smith decided to stay with the Baltimore Ravens while Jackson moved on from the Cleveland Browns so he could play for the Indianapolis Colts.

Instead of pursuing free agents, the Broncos decided to add linebacker depth via the NFL draft—and that's exactly what they did.

2014 NFL Draft

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Denver added two linebackers in the 2014 NFL draft. At this time, neither player has yet to make a big impact for the Broncos.

In the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft, Denver selected Lamin Barrow out of LSU. He primarily played weak-side linebacker for the Bayou Bengals, and Barrow stood out in college because of his ability in coverage.

Broncos general manager John Elway praised Barrow's versatility after the pick.

"He's a tough guy and a good kid," Elway said. "He can play 'Mike' or 'Will.' He's got good speed, can run and has good instincts. He's going to bring great competition to the linebacker group."

In the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft, Denver selected Corey Nelson out of Oklahoma. Though not the biggest linebacker (6'0", 230 lbs), Nelson was a standout player in college because of his explosiveness and nose for the football.

Nelson also has versatility that the Broncos covet. His ability to play inside or outside is something that Nelson is very proud of.

"I feel like my style of play—I have a knack for finding the ball," he said. "Explosive, fast, can run sideline to sideline, pretty strong. And I would say covering and playing inside the box, I can do both of those well since I played in two separate defenses at Oklahoma. I can do both of those pretty well, I can play in both of those, depending on wherever the coach wants to put me."

The Broncos actually picked up a third rookie linebacker as an undrafted free agent. Shaquil Barrett was a standout player at Colorado State and was known as a disruptive player who could generate sacks and force fumbles. After competing in training camp, Barrett was placed on the team's practice squad.

Injuries

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Arguably their most valuable linebacker, Von Miller began this year coming off an ACL tear he suffered in Week 16 of the 2013 season against the Houston Texans. The Broncos initially eased him back into the lineup, but we've really seen no ill effects from his major injury. Miller has recorded double-digit sacks (13.0) for the third time in his four-year career, and he's more than doubled the five sacks he had in a disappointing 2013 season.

Danny Trevathan initially suffered a leg injury in training camp. He was held out of action until Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. Trevathan was injured against in Week 6 against the New York Jets, and he was not seen until Week 15 against the San Diego Chargers. He was again injured, but this time, his season was over after only three games and 11 tackles total in 2014.

Trevathan wasn't the only Broncos linebacker to find himself on season-ending injured reserve.

Nate Irving began the season as the starting middle linebacker for the Broncos. He played in eight games for the Broncos before suffering a sprained MCL.

With Irving on season-ending injured reserve, the Broncos went to the waiver wire and claimed rookie Todd Davis. An undrafted rookie out of Sacramento State, Davis had bounced between the New Orleans Saints active roster and practice squad in 2014. When waived (again) by the Saints, this time it was the Broncos that would claim him and put Davis on the active roster.

With Trevathan banged up, Brandon Marshall became a featured player. He was a tackling machine for the Broncos, and Marshall currently leads the team with 110 tackles in 2014.

However, Marshall was injured (foot sprain) in Week 15, and he missed the game against the Bengals in Week 16. Marshall may be able to return for the postseason, and the team could get him a week of extra rest if they have a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

Replacement Linebackers Struggle

In the Week 16 game against the Bengals, the Broncos allowed only their second 100-yard rusher of the season. Rookie Jeremy Hill gashed the Broncos defense for 147 yards on Monday Night Football. Hill was the second rusher to accomplish that feat. Earlier this season, fellow rookie Tre Mason (St. Louis Rams) also passed the century mark against the Broncos.

Hill was able to break free for an 85-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. That play was allowed first by a missed tackle from replacement linebacker Davis.

In this picture, we see Hill getting the handoff from quarterback Andy Dalton. Linebackers Steven Johnson and Davis are highlighted as they both react to the ball-carrier.

NFL.com - Game Rewind

This photo shows Davis missing the tackle on Hill behind the line of scrimmage.

NFL.com - Game Rewind

Further down the field, we see Johnson diving at Hill's feet and missing. Hill's big run set the tone for the rest of the game, and the Broncos failed to adequately play run defense on Monday night.

NFL.com - Game Rewind

Broncos head coach John Fox was asked to critique the young linebackers after the Bengals game.

"We've had some good performances out of them," Fox said. "Last night wasn't as good as we've done. There are ways we can help them as coaches. This is about players getting used to coaches and coaches getting used to players in that position.

"We've got some guys rotating through, but we have confidence in them. There are a lot of young linebackers involved in some of those coverage units that we're talking about. So I think when you play young players, that kind of things happens. It's a learning experience every week."

Simply put, losing Marshall for a couple of weeks might have been one linebacker injury too many.

Summary

The Broncos may get a much-needed bye week in the first round of the playoffs. In order to secure the second seed in the AFC, Denver must defeat the Oakland Raiders in Week 17.

Fox is not going Chicken Little on the team after the Bengals game.

"I thought at times, we tackled very well," Fox said. "I think our red-zone defense was outstanding—they helped keep us in the game. Our third-down defense was outstanding. Like I said, we gave up explosives [plays]. We had two takeaways: We had a key fumble recovery, and we had an interception, pick-six. So it wasn't all horrible.

"The sky is not falling. We're all going to get better."

If they get the bye, then it will allow Marshall one more week to heal. Getting him back on the field will be a boost for this Broncos defense in both stuffing the run and covering the pass.

Linebackers have proved vital for the Jack Del Rio defense, and they need to be near full strength if the team is going to slow down opposing offenses in the postseason.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via email from the Denver Broncos unless otherwise noted. Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.