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Broncos Change Position of Promising Third-Year Player

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Coby Leibowitz | Last updated Feb 27, 2025 12:00 PM ET

The Denver Broncos run defense struggled a bit at the end of last year, and a large part of that was due to some struggles with the inside linebackers. The Broncos need some upgrades on the inside, and Justin Strnad and Cody Barton are about to hit free agency.

They will surely have to sign or draft a linebacker or two, but the first order of business in their plan to fix their depleted inside linebacker room is to change outside linebacker Drew Sanders to an inside linebacker.

GM George Paton was already seen earlier this week saying that he believes that Sanders is going to be a starting linebacker in the NFL and that there would be open competition for the starting jobs this offseason.

Sanders only played in four games last season due to an Achilles injury that he got surgery for in May. Sanders recorded eight tackles and one sack in his four games. He also recorded a tackle in the Broncos' playoff loss to the Bills.

Sanders is only 23 and has tons of time to adjust to inside linebacker. The former 3rd round pick ended last season playing inside linebacker, and the Broncos intend to keep him there even though it seemed temporary at the time.

The former Razorback is fully healed and ready to have a full offseason to prepare at inside linebacker. He already looked good at inside linebacker, but with a full offseason and training camp, he might become the starter like Paton said.

There could be very big things coming for Drew Sanders and the Broncos this year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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