Broncos LB Drew Sanders Details Buzz-Generating Play at Rookie Camp

A bit of a stir was created a week ago at Denver Broncos rookie mini-camp after third-round linebacker Drew Sanders picked off a pass and returned it to the house in practice. Sanders jumped a route and picked off quarterback Ben DiNucci, who was there on a try-out basis. 

Fortunately for DiNucci, his interception, and the public razzing he took from head coach Sean Payton, didn't end his bid to make the roster. The Broncos signed him to the 90-man offseason roster shortly after minicamp. 

After Saturday's practice, head coach Sean Payton seemed pleased by Sanders' big play, saying, "It was good play by Drew, [he had] a good break." 

For Sanders' part, with a sheepish grin on his face (see video above), he did his best to describe how it went down following practice.  

“I just did my job and it ended up working out in my favor," Sanders said. 

A man of few words. But news of Sanders' play ran through Broncos Country like wildfire, stoking the flames fans have for the next Al Wilson to emerge at inside linebacker. While it may be way too early to start comparing Sanders to 'Smoke Dog' Wilson, there's no doubt that Broncos fans have been pining for an All-Pro-caliber alpha-type linebacker ever since an unfortunate neck injury put an early end to his career nearly two decades ago.

Sanders is "having a blast" as a rookie, soaking up the NFL experience that he dreamed of his whole life. In short order, he's created a nice bit of scrutiny and excitement in Denver. 

Coaches, media, and fans buzzing about the rookie linebacker is one thing, but when one of his teammates resorts to using superlatives to describe Sanders, it takes the 'hype' from the illusory to reality. Broncos' rookie wideout Marvin Mims, Jr. has a history with Sanders, competing with him on a big high school football stage in Texas. Mims came out on the losing end back then. 

“Drew is an unreal athlete," Mims said last week. "He’s looked like that since senior year in high school. I mean, the dude is unbelievable.”

The Broncos drafted Sanders with pick No. 67 (third round). He was a former five-star recruit at Alabama before transferring to Arkansas for his last year of college football, where he produced 103 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, and an interception for the Razorbacks.

Sanders' quiet confidence belies his wild, intense performance on the field. He's got Broncos Country really excited, though I'm not sure he's aware of that. Sanders is too busy with his nose in the playbook and jumping through whatever hoops the coaches lay out for him. 

“I’m going to do whatever they tell me to do," Sanders said. "I can get after the quarterback, drop back in coverage, and play the run, so I feel like I bring the versatility aspect to the position. Feel like I can get the job done.” 

READ: Broncos Sign Drew Sanders to Million-Dollar Deal After Big Camp Day

The Broncos have two entrenched veterans poised to start at inside linebacker — Alex Singleton and Josey Jewell. I've got to wonder whether Sanders has officially popped up on their radar, outside of the texts the vets made to him the night Denver drafted him. 

Of all the Broncos' draft picks, of which there are five, it seems only Sanders received any contact from the veterans in his respective position room, welcoming him to the team. Credit to Singleton and Jewell for that. That's leadership. 

“I got a text from them on draft night, but other than that, not too much," Sanders said of what contact he's had from the Broncos' starting linebackers. 

The next chance fans will get to hear reports or see clips of Sanders in action will be on May 23-25, when the Broncos officially begin offseason training activities that will include the veterans and the rookies. Stay tuned. 

“I’m pretty excited just to get back to football," Sanders said. "I’m enjoying learning a new defense and being out there with new teammates. I’m just having a blast.”