2021 NFL Draft Preview: Outside linebacker sleepers and Broncos fits

Outside linebacker may not spring to mind immediately as a big need for the Denver Broncos in the 2021 NFL Draft. It may be more of a need than some expect when you think about the nature of today’s game, however.

In the NFL, it’s all about the quarterback – having the quarterback, protecting the quarterback or getting after the quarterback. Teams need to be as strong as possible in all three departments if they want to make a run at a championship.

Denver has a couple of fine starting outside linebackers in future Hall of Famer Von Miller and former top-five pick (2018) Bradley Chubb. A reserve behind those two, Malik Reed, proved that he could be at least a solid pass-rusher at the pro level last season. Outside of those three, however, the Broncos don’t have much at the position and could use the draft to strengthen that.

In this article, I will look at the market for the position. I’ll also write about sleepers at the outside linebacker position and some players who could fit what the Broncos need in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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Market Watch

Zaven Collins (Tulsa) is one of my favorite players in this draft class. He weighs in at 260 pounds, but Collins moves like a much smaller man. He’s agile and relentless to get around would-be blockers. Collins can wreak havoc on opponents and does not come off the field.

I like the high motor he plays with, but perhaps my favorite thing about his game is the ability to burst to the ball-carrier or quarterback. He has an extra gear when he gets an opponent in his sights and can make up ground in a hurry. His intent playing style means he can bite on some play fakes, but I feel like that can be coached out of him at the pro level. In addition to what he can do as a rusher, Collins has plenty of experience in coverage as evidenced by his 500-plus coverage snaps over the last two seasons.

Azeez Ojulari (Georgia) is a lock to be a first-round draft pick. If you want to bend the edge (scouts say dip-and-rip), then look no further. He has the ability to bend and burst his way around the edge to get to the quarterback. Ojulari faced some of the best tackles in the SEC and he came out the winner more often than not. In 2020, Ojulari had a whopping 35 quarterback pressures and brings the heat early and often.

He can bend and he can burst, but Ojulari plays with more power than one would think at 250 pounds. Ojulari plays with violent hands, but he could learn more pass-rushing moves. He needs to work on stacking moves at the pro level as too often he will fly up field trying to bend the edge and leave a gap for a quarterback to escape through. Once Ojulari learns to time his inside moves better opponents had better watch out.

Joseph Ossai (Texas) is seen as a late first- or early second-round draft pick. He plays with a motor that runs hot and never runs out of gas. Ossai is the definition of relentless and will not stop on his way to the passer. He does a good job of using leverage and effort to get around his man.

He chases plays when they go away from him and shows great hustle on the field. Ossai is not the most athletic rusher, but he can win with speed, intent and leverage. He can learn more moves to disrupt the quarterback and has upside in the NFL.

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Sleepers

Cameron McGrone (Michigan) isn’t a “sleeper” to those in the scouting community, but he doesn’t get enough pub in the media’s draft coverage. He’s a smaller prospect and lacks length, but he makes up for that with anticipation and a nose for the ball. His range is outstanding, and he can play from sideline to sideline.

McGrone is sound as a run-defender and closes well with his speed. He’s not a player to trust in coverage and his lack of ideal measurements mean he will be a Day 3 pick with upside.

Pete Werner (Ohio State) is one of four defensive prospects from the Buckeyes who I really enjoy watching play football. He’s one of the smartest players of any position in this draft class, and that high football intelligence shows up on the field. Werner does a good job of scraping and flowing to get to the ball, and his read/react ability is a hallmark. He’s a three-down player who can be moved around the field in multiple roles. Some team is going to get a value pick in the mid rounds of the draft.

Jordan Smith (UAB) is a raw player, but his ceiling might be as high as any outside linebacker in this draft. He has phenomenal length, measuring in at 6-foot-7, and that wingspan helps him make up ground in a hurry. It also helps him disrupt passing lanes when he puts his hands up. Smith began his college career at Florida, but he transferred to UAB and shined with 14.5 sacks in 22 games. He is a mid-round pick who is a developmental prospect with upside.

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Broncos Fits

Quincy Roche (Miami) is a player I would like to see the Broncos select in the draft. He projects as a part-time rusher immediately in the pros, but there is room for him to grow into a larger role. Roche began his college career at Temple but played as a graduate transfer in 2020 with the Hurricanes.

Roche is not going to blow you away with any sort of measurement, but his honed skill as a pass-rusher makes him stand out on the football field. He keeps his head on a swivel with larger tackles trying to block him, and Roche can win regularly due to his premiere hand fighting. His hands are active, and he does not let a tackle get ahold of him as he makes his way to the passer.

His ability in coverage is noteworthy. He does a good job of staying within his zone and anticipates where routes are going around him. Roche is a competitive player who is going to be a good presence in the locker room.

He’s likely to go in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft, and there is a chance he falls to the beginning of day three. While he may never be a star, every team needs a player like Roche. The Broncos need more depth when it comes to pass-rushers, and Roche would be a perfect fit.

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