Broncos Need Coverage LB, Free Agency Options

0:00On March 9th, the Denver Broncos relied on three inside linebackers last season, Alex Singleton, Justin Stronad, and Dre Greenlaw. Singleton saw the most action with a 1089 defensive snaps, followed by Stronad at 575 and Greenlaw at 3. 124. The team resigned Stronad to a three-year deal worth $18 million, while Greenlaw remains under contract through next season. They also seemed poised to bring back the 33-year-old Singleton. Performance-wise, Greenlaw stood out with the lowest missed tackle rate at just 2.3%, ranking 17th among linebackers. Stronad was solid at 6.5%, with Singleton lagged at 8.2%, a step up from his prior 11.3% mark. Singleton notched only three tackles for loss, despite playing over 90% of snaps, trailing even some defensive backs and backups. Fans and analysts point to Singleton as a weak spot, especially in coverage where he allowed 9.8 yards per target, 4th worst among, linebackers facing at least 10 targets.

1:07His mysteries often left him out of position, contributing to big plays against in key games like the playoff win over Buffalo. This exposed the defensive's vulnerabilities and run-stopping and past defense. Looking ahead, the Broncos need an inside linebacker whose reliable and coverage strong against the run and healthy. Free agency offers options like 26-year-old Key Walker or 28-year-olds Kenneth Murray, Devon Bush, Devon Lloyd and Devon White, all under 30 and with significant snaps last year. Even veterans like Bobby Wagner prove age isn't everything, with Stronad locked in and Greenlaw staying, upgrading from Singleton could shore up the middle without breaking the bank. The offseason moves here will shape how far this defense goes next year.