Denver Broncos Outside Linebacker Competition

Von Miller has revolutionized how the strong side linebacker position can be played. He has been a great pass rusher from that position. He was the best pass rusher in the league last season, that is not just my subjective opinion, check out profootballfocus.com. He did the most on the least amount of pass rushing attempts. Think about this, he only had a couple of sacks less than Watt and Smith, but they get to rush the passer every down. Miller is so much more than a pass rusher, he can stop the run too. He had 58 total tackles last season, 14 of those were for a loss. He is one of the most versatile players in the league. He will continue to be the Broncos starter until the day he retires. 

Wesley Woodyard has an All-Pro season last, but was not recognized. I have no idea why players and coaches were so naive about Woodyards season, he had one of the best seasons for an outside linebacker in this decade. He finished the year with 117 total tackles, 5.5 sacks and 3 interceptions, those are numbers few have ever put up in a single season as a 4-3 outside linebacker. Woodyard put himself in the conversation as a top five , maybe top three 4-3 outside linebacker. He took over for DJ Williams who was suspended for most of the season. Many thought Williams would reclaim his starting linebacker role rather easily when he came back, but Woodyard never relinquished it. He will continue to be the starting weak side linebacker for the foreseeable future. 

Danny Trevathan was drafted late last season and many thought he would not get any playing time, but he cracked the lineup in the nickel package. He played very well last season and he should see a lot of playing time in the nickel package. I like him a lot and I think he will continue to develop into a very good player. 

Shaun Phillips will play both outside linebacker and defensive end. He will likely be listed as an outside  linebacker, but he will come in on obvious passing downs to rush the passer as a defensive end. This is the same with Lerentee McCray. However, McCray can play some spot outside linebacker. McCray is a good pass rusher, but is also pretty stout against the run. 

Woodyard and Miller will be the starter without a doubt. They are both very dominant in their own ways and I hope they can continue to be in the same linebacking core. Trevathan will make a very good backup, but he will play a lot for a backup since he can come in in nickel situations. Phillips will be mostly a pass rusher. As will McCray, but McCray can do more in a traditional outside linebacker role.