Mile High Report
The ILB is exactly what this Broncos defense needed.
During the Denver Broncos offseason, there were a few moves that jumped out at everyone. Obviously, the moves on defense to bring in a couple of impact players is near the top of that list. For Denver, improving a defense that was already one of the best in the NFL was clearly a priority. Part of that was making the middle of the defense better.
That meant signing Dre Greenlaw from the San Francisco 49ers to a 3 year deal. Heading into his 7th season, Greenlaw is coming off a season where he missed most of the year recovering from an Achilles tear he suffered in LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Prior to his injury in that game, the 49ers looked like they were going to be able to run away with the game. They hadn’t allowed the Chiefs offense any points, and Greenlaw was a huge part of that. We all know what happened after he went down.
Looking at the Broncos needs, the middle of the defense has always been a concern. While the idea of a traditional middle linebacker may not fit into today’s defensive schemes, the way Greenlaw plays the game harkens back to those players that found themselves involved in every play.
It makes me think of names like Al Wilson or Randy Gradishar. Guys who can plug up the middle. Players who can run with a TE. Tackle machines that control the defense. And if you listen to Broncos Odds and Endzones, you know I have been begging for a player like this for years.
Height: 6-0
Weight: 230 pounds
Age: 27 years old
Experience: 7th NFL season
The big question mark for Greenlaw will be his health. After suffering an achilles tear in the Super Bowl, he missed most of last season. Only seeing a small amount of playing time, he clearly wasn’t the player he had been prior to his injury.
So the concern has to be about his ability to stay on the field. He has already experienced a minor setback. While working out in the offseason, he injured his right quadricep and had to sit out OTAs. Not the start we were hoping for.
Still, if he can avoid further setbacks, he can be a huge upgrade in Vance Joseph’s defense. In 2022 and 2023 he had 127 and 120 tackles. In those years he also had 6 and 4 passes defensed. That makes him an ideal addition to the LBs. Tackles and coverage.
It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Greenlaw, along with fellow free agent from San Francisco Talanoa Hufanga, turned this defense into the undisputed top defense in the league. With a defense that good, a wild card spot isn’t the only possibility. We have seen Denver compete with Kansas City, and the AFC West should be the target for Shaun Payton’s team in 2025....
