Denver Broncos to Watch in Training Camp: DE Malik Jackson

Earlier this month, the Denver Broncos unveiled their schedule for training camp. Things kick off at Dove Valley on July 31st, and fans will get to watch the Broncos at their new facility. Last year, training camp was closed to the public as team headquarters underwent a massive construction project.

The Broncos have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. It will be a difficult process to find the best 53-man roster possible—and it will take most of the month of August to do so.

There will be positional battles at multiple spots as the Broncos establish their depth chart for the 2015 season. This pecking order will largely be determined by a player’s performance in training camp.

In this edition of “Broncos To Watch in Training Camp” we take a look at a player entering the final year of his rookie contract, defensive end Malik Jackson.

Pro Career

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

It seems like Jackson is improving each year in the league.

Year	Games	Tackles	Assists	Sacks
2012	14	3	2	0
2013	16	37	13	6
2014	16	34	12	3

Former defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio liked the idea of using Jackson’s energy in a rotational role. In 2014, guys like Derek Wolfe (679), DeMarcus Ware (707) and Von Miller (874) played a lot more snaps than Jackson did (541). Even though he’s fourth on this list, Jackson finished with the second-most tackles (42) behind only Miller (60) in 2014. Last year, he eventually worked his way into the starting lineup by the end of the season.

Now, Jackson wants to prove that he should stay in the starting lineup.

The switch to a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips can be considered a positive for Jackson. Instead of switching back and forth between tackle and end, he can now focus on one position.

Depending on the down-and-distance situation, Jackson can play either 3- or 5-technique defensive end for the Broncos. With his natural length and strength, he may put up career-best numbers in this new system.

In the final year of his rookie contract, Jackson isn’t concerned with his upcoming payday.

“I haven’t heard anything about that [contract extension]. 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. Right now, it’s not about the money, which would be nice, I’m not going to lie.” Jackson revealed, “But right now it’s about going out here and just trying to earn it.”

Positives

Ferocity may be the first word you think of when considering Jackson’s positive attributes. He plays to the echo of the whistle, and Jackson does not back down from any challenge. He utilizes incredible will to continue playing at a high level—especially when his opponents are gassed.

Jackson is functionally strong, and he certainly understands how to win with leverage at the point of attack. He’s also strong enough to set the edge consistently as a run defender. Jackson’s long arms allow him to grab running backs trying to sneak by him, and his upper-body strength means that snared opponents aren’t going very far when in his grasp.

In addition to strength, Jackson has good length for the position. This length helps him get to the ball-carrier or the quarterback faster. He can bend around the edge and burst to the quarterback.

Negatives

Jackson is certainly one of the most aggressive defenders on the Broncos roster, but that attitude is a bit of a double-edged sword. There are times when he comes close to drawing personal foul penalties because of his aggression, and he's sometimes flagged for an infraction because of his natural violence on the field.

He’s not a speedy player, so chasing plays down the field is not a strength. Jackson gets to the ball-carrier with hustle and the intelligence to diagnose things quickly as they unfold in front of him.

What to Watch For

JACK DEMPSEY/Associated Press

We should see Jackson compete for a starting job in training camp. With Derek Wolfe likely starting at one defensive end spot, the team will have to determine if Jackson or Vance Walker is the better starter.

Walker has bounced around the league since coming into the NFL as a seventh-round pick for the Atlanta Falcons in 2009. The language of the NFL is money, and the Broncos spoke loudly when they brought Walker on board with a to a two-year deal worth $4 million that included a $1.5 million signing bonus and $1.5 million guaranteed.

The competition between Walker and Jackson could be one of the best to watch in training camp.

New defensive line coach Bill Kollar is known as a coach who can get the best out of the defensive linemen working under him. Jackson is going to be no exception. In fact, he could thrive under the guidance of Kollar.

So far, Jackson likes what he’s learned under Kollar’s tutelage.

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

Jackson’s praise of Kollar continued.

“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.” Jackson emphasized, “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. I think it’s one of those things where you’ve just got to keep working and get it together.”

Over the last two years, Jackson has compiled nine sacks and 19 quarterback hits all while in a part-time role. It may be time to see what he can do when unleashed in a larger role. He’s certainly worked hard to earn that opportunity, and he’s one of the players who could help forge this new defensive identity for the Broncos in 2015.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.

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