How Denver Broncos Can Absorb the Loss of Derek Wolfe

By now, you may or may not have heard the news that Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe has been suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season. This was the result of Wolfe violating the league's policy regarding performance enhancing substances, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Broncos are set to open training camp Friday, and the situation facing the team now that Wolfe will miss the first quarter of the season is one of the main topics that could be on the minds of fans attending the practices.

Though the loss of Wolfe won't hurt the Broncos as much as the pending suspension facing the New England Patriots and their quarterback Tom Brady, it will still be tough not having him out there.

Wolfe's play as a run-stopper was always perfect for a 4-3 defensive alignment. With the team switching to a 3-4 with Wade Phillips coming in as defensive coordinator, big things were expected from Wolfe as a defender who could set the edge and take on defenders, opening spots for the guys behind him to make big plays.

Though Wolfe isn't a flashy player and he doesn't put up huge statistics, the little things he does to make the defense flow should not go unnoticed.

Last season, Wolfe ranked No. 2 among all defensive ends in defending the run, according to Pro Football Focus. Right behind him at No. 3 was his teammate, Malik Jackson. Having both of them on the same line in a 3-4 defense would benefit the Broncos in a big way.

But for the first four games, Denver will have to turn elsewhere. So how does the team replace Wolfe's productivity for those first four games? It could take much of training camp to find a solid answer.

Here are the players to keep an eye on during team practices.

Antonio Smith

Wade Payne/Associated Press

According to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com, Antonio Smith will take part in practices once training camp opens despite the legal matters hanging over him.

That is good news for the Broncos, particularly because the team needs as much depth as it can get along the defensive line. But it's great news because Smith is familiar with the defense Phillips likes to run.

From 2011 to 2013, Smith racked up 18.5 sacks in Houston under the guidance of Phillips. But how does he do against the run? During those same years, Pro Football Focus ranked Smith no higher than No. 23 among all 3-4 defensive ends in defending against the run.

Though Smith is probably a better pass-rusher than Wolfe, he is a far inferior run defender. This could relegate Smith to passing downs only, unless the team thinks he can get better in stopping the run.

The Broncos face some of the league's best running backs in the first four games, including Justin Forsett, Jamaal Charles and Adrian Peterson. Finding the best replacement to slow down the running game will be imperative.

Vance Walker

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Vance Walker played several years with the Atlanta Falcons as a part of a 4-3 defense. But when he had his chances last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, he showed his value as a 3-4 defensive lineman.

The main reason the Broncos signed Walker is due to his versatility. He can line up at defensive end or nose tackle and can play a three-technique or five-technique. In other words, he's a player Phillips will love.

"

#Broncos HC Gary Kubiak "disappointed'' with Derek Wolfe for 4-game suspension. First name he mentions as replacement: Vance Walker

— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) July 24, 2015"

Walker has 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in his six-year career. These stats show he can get penetration in the backfield. Whether or not he can occupy defenders and eat double teams will be a key to him earning playing time in Denver.

If he can do that, he could be the guy who gets the shot to replace Wolfe as the starter.

Darius Kilgo

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

In the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft, the Broncos selected Darius Kilgo out of Maryland. Though he may not be an exciting player, the Broncos felt he fit what the team was looking for.

During his four seasons at Maryland, Kilgo notched 19.5 tackles for loss. Though his natural position is likely at nose tackle, Kilgo could get a look at one of the defensive end spots with Wolfe out.

"

Darius Kilgo says he's learning all 3 spots on the DL, not just NT, but the 3- and 5-technique.

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) July 27, 2015"

Kilgo would have needed to have an impressive training camp to make the 53-man roster and avoid a stint on the practice squad, but his odds of making the team, at least for the first part of the year, are pretty good at the moment.

He is a strong, aggressive player who was a three-year starter in college. He is solid against the run, and that is where he can help this team. Kilgo will not get off his blocks and chase a quarterback around the backfield, but he can impede the running game.

Defensive line coach Bill Kollar should be able to help Kilgo fine-tune his skills and turn him into a good rotational player for this defense.

Kenny Anunike

JACK DEMPSEY/Associated Press

Kenny Anunike is the wild card, and with the loss of Wolfe and the lack of serious depth on the defensive line, his chances of making the final roster are looking better by the day. 

But that was the case in 2014, too. Anunike might have earned a spot on the roster as an undrafted rookie out of Duke, but an arm injury in the preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys forced the team to place him on season-ending injured reserve. 

It was an abrupt, unfortunate end to his rookie season, but Anunike could be a player who enters camp hungry to earn what he easily could have last year. With a spot open due to Wolfe's absence, there should be added motivation.

"

Kenny Anunike "was one of the standout players" throughout the offseason, Kubiak said. "The effort's there, the ability's there."

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) July 30, 2015"

Anunike is a strong, athletic player who the Broncos could use as both an edge-rusher on the defensive line or an outside linebacker, depending on the package. As we spoke about when discussing Walker's value to the team, Phillips likes versatility.

He'll have that in Anunike, and with the help of Kollar, they could turn him into a monster who other teams don't find out about until it's too late. Of all the players to keep an eye on at training camp, Anunike is at or near the top of the list.

What is the best plan of attack?

The Broncos have several players who can put the heat on quarterbacks. From Von Miller to DeMarcus Ware to Shane Ray to Jackson, the team will get after the passer.

Evaluating the best way to replace Wolfe for four games, it will be up to Phillips and the rest of the defensive coaching staff to determine the best way to defend the run.

As a result, putting Walker in the starting spot is probably the best move. He complements Jackson and Sylvester Williams best because he played in a 3-4 alignment last season.

Smith has played with Phillips before, but he should be used for what he does best and that is also rushing the passer. Smith, Kilgo and Anunike should be part of a rotation that spells Walker.

Phillips should put together several different packages to get all of these players into the game. Between them, they have a little bit of everything. The challenge will be to insert them into the game at the right moment.

The Broncos shouldn't plan on replacing Wolfe with just one player. Instead, using a platoon of defenders is likely the best route to take.

We also must keep in mind that Wolfe will be eligible to return to the field in Week 5 against the Oakland Raiders. Wolfe will be refreshed and ready to make a statement by that time, letting out the frustration of having to miss games on his opponents.

If you thought Wolfe wasn't an integral part of the Denver defense, you probably wouldn't be the first. But his presence on the field will be missed, and he won't be an easy player to replace, even if just for four games.

Once fans see what the team loses when Wolfe is gone, perhaps they'll realize his importance to the team and welcome him back with open arms when the Broncos battle the Raiders on Oct. 11 in Oakland.