Mile High Report
Now entering his third season, Uwazurike is looking to find a spot on a loaded Broncos defensive line.
Eyioma Uwazurike is still best known for the gambling scandal he was linked to in 2022.
The defensive tackle spent the entire 2023 season on the reserve/suspended list. Getting his second chance with the Denver Broncos, Uwazurike was a serviceable depth piece on the defensive line in 2024.
Now entering this third year, he’ll look to take the next step this season.
Age: 27 | Experience: Third year | College: Iowa State | Height: 6’6” | Weight: 320 pounds
After being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Uwazurike appeared in eight games for the Broncos. He finished with 17 tackles (11 solo), one pass defense, and a blocked field goal attempt. The blocked field goal attempt was against the Kansas City Chiefs and was a Harrison Butker attempt at the end of the first half on January 1.
Then came the suspension for betting on league games during his rookie season. Some of the games he wagered on, he played in while with the Broncos.
Once Iowa prosecutors dropped criminal charges, the NFL lifted Uwazurike's suspension, and he was back on the field in 2024.
As he said in a statement last year, “It is a privilege to play in the NFL, and I hope others can learn from my mistake. I will not take this second chance for granted and am fully committed to making a positive impact with the Broncos both on and off the field.”
Uwazurike appeared in four games for Denver last season, recording 11 tackles (3 solo) and 0.5 sacks.
Now he’s looking to find a spot on a loaded Broncos defensive line.
As it stands now, there are five locks to make Denver’s roster. Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Malcom Roach, and rookie Saiv’ion Jones. If the Broncos carry six defensive linemen, as they did a year ago, that leaves one spot.
Uwazurike will be battling Jordan Jackson, Matt Henningsen, Jordan Miller, and Kristian Williams for that final roster spot.
Christopher Hart said in his defensive line positional review that Jackson or Uwazurike would be his early favorites. Hart added he’s hopeful that Uwazurike can live up to the potential he showed coming out of the draft several years ago.
Uwazurike will have the opportunity to earn that final roster spot on the Broncos defensive line this season. If he flashes that potential he did in his rookie season, he may get that sixth spot. What should help Uwazurike is not having to fight the distraction of his gambling suspension as he did last year. Now, it’s just football.
Whether Uwazurike is able to do this, time will tell. But the competition on the defensive line will make him, those he’s battling with, and the Broncos defense even better. May the best man win.
