Why Malik Jackson Is Denver Broncos' True Wild-Card Pass-Rusher in 2015

The Denver Broncos are going to have a different look on defense this year as Wade Phillips takes over for Jack Del Rio as the defensive coordinator. With Phillips, the Broncos are going to be utilizing a 3-4 defense and should be more aggressive when getting after the passer.

The team will be featuring outside linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware as their primary pass-rushers, but they won’t be the only players tasked with attacking the quarterback.

The Broncos moved up in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft to select linebacker Shane Ray in order to help boost their pass rush. He’ll likely be used as a rotational pass-rusher behind Miller and Ware to help keep those two fresh. Ray is going to be a big asset for the defense, but defensive end Malik Jackson is also a player capable of putting pressure on the quarterback.

Jackson is the true wild-card pass-rusher for the Broncos this season. We examine why Jackson could make such an impact in this article.

Pass-Rushing Combinations

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Phillips is known for being creative when it comes to getting after the passer. Under Del Rio, the Broncos blitzed on about 20 percent of their defensive snaps, per ESPN's employees-only stats database. That ranked 28th-lowest in the league, and the Broncos should be much more aggressive this year.

They’ll be able to get pressure with various players, and there may be times when multiple pass-rushers are on the field at once.

Jackson is excited about the multiple possibilities—including one where Ware, Miller, Ray and himself can be on the field at the same time.

“That would be nice to have one-on-ones. I think we’ve just got to keep practicing our pass-rush moves and just be ready to take advantage of situations when we do get those one-on-ones, whether it be the best guard in the league or the guy who is just in there for an injured guy.” Jackson continued, “We’ve just got to be able to go out there and make the best of our plays and get those sacks presented to us, and leave nothing on the field this year.”

Jackson should benefit from opponents who are focused on stopping guys like Miller, Ware and Ray.

Adapting to Changes

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As a defensive end in a 3-4 defense, Jackson’s responsibilities will be different from what they were under Del Rio’s 4-3. Jackson is going to be asked to set the edge as a run defender while also keeping his eyes in the backfield on the quarterback. He’ll be asked to keep containment on the outside and force the ball-carrier toward his teammates on the inside.

Jackson is confident in his ability to make plays in a 3-4 defense.

“So far it’s working out. [Defensive line] Coach Bill [Kollar] is a great and he is teaching us technique and how to do it," Jackson said. "Coach [defensive coordinator] Wade [Phillips] lets us go out there and play and just get up field and make plays. I’m adapting pretty well.”

The system doesn’t matter to Jackson. He feels like he can fit in any scheme.

“I’m built for whichever scheme they put me in. I don’t want to subject myself just to one scheme. I think it’s just if you can play, you can play no matter what scheme you play in." Jackson continued, "I’m just trying to adapt and forget the things I learned three years in a row and learn the things they want us to do here.”

Jackson is a smart player who is going to make quick decisions on the field. If the play goes away from him, Jackson has the length and burst to chase players from behind.

If he sees a passing play developing, Jackson has a bag of tricks to get around his blocker. This pass-rushing repertoire is going to be tough for opponents to predict which move is up next.

The Kollar Effect

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New defensive line coach Bill Kollar has a reputation as one of the best in the game. A first-round pick in the 1974 NFL draft, Kollar played on the defensive line for eight seasons with both the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With 26 years of coaching experience, 25 of those have come as a defensive line coach.

Kollar has made a tremendous impact on the teams he’s coached, like the Atlanta Falcons (1990-2000), St. Louis Rams (2001-2005), Buffalo Bills (2007-2008) and Houston Texans (2009-2014). The Texans greatly benefited from Kollar’s guidance, and J.J. Watt became a superstar under his watch.

Jackson loves what his new coach brings to the table.

“He’s one of the best and he’s proven. He’s been a coach for a long time. He’s been producing a lot of guys and he’s got a lot of guys under his belt as far as making them into the players that they are today. I think he demands respect and top effort. If you can’t give it to him, he’s going to let you know that he’ll cut you.” Jackson concluded, “I think it’s one of those things where you’ve just got to keep working and get it together.”

Kollar is already taking charge out at Dove Valley. The quiet of the Rocky Mountain air is frequently cut by Kollar’s barks and commands. The defensive linemen seem to respond well to Kollar’s coaching—and coaching style.

Contract Year

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Jackson is entering the final year of his contract in 2015. This season, Jackson is set to make a little over $1.6 million, per Spotrac.com. If he posts strong numbers this season, Jackson could be in for a big pay raise in 2016—whether that’s with Denver or another team.

He says he’s not worried about that at this time.

“I haven’t heard anything about that. I’m just worried about—seriously—just going out there and doing my part, and making them give me as much as I feel like I deserve," Jackson explained. "Right now, it’s not about the money, which would be nice, I’m not going to lie. But right now it’s about going out here and just trying to earn it.”

Jackson emphasized, “I’ve got one more year on my contract, so for me and to sit there and be worried about a contract right now would be silly. I’ve still got to go a year. I’m just going to go out there and play tense games and see what happens.”

He may not be focusing on his contract, but it certainly could be a subconscious motivational factor for the talented defensive end.

Summary

Denver is set to have one of the fiercest pass rushes in the NFL this season. We should see the defense make a real impact this season, and the biggest difference seen on the field in 2015 should be on that side of the ball. In fact, there may be a few contests where the defense has to win the game. The Broncos defense should be strong enough to carry the team when needed.

Jackson believes in the defense’s ability to carry this team if needed.

“I think that’s our goal every year: to go out there and be a defense that goes out there and doesn’t rely on the offense. We want to be because defense wins championships. That’s just what we’re working for and I think we can get that.” Jackson emphasized, “We’ve just got to keep working. I think we can do it.”

The Broncos should use various combinations to create constant pressure. The main rushers should be Miller, Ware and Ray, but Jackson is going to make an impact as well.

Jackson is a ferocious player who plays with a nonstop motor. He’s got an aggressive mindset, and Jackson will play to the echo of the whistle. His hustle, heart and energy will make him difficult to block on the outside.

There’s going to be a lot of attention on the top pass-rushers in Denver—and for good reason. However, Jackson is a player that may surprise the unsuspecting. In a contract year, Jackson could show incredible value under Phillips and Kollar.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.