Broncos: Drew Sanders says the right things when asked about versatility
The Denver Broncos made their first selection, finally, on Friday. They ended up going with Oklahoma receiver Marvin Mims, and a few picks later went defense with Drew Sanders.They addressed needs with both picks, but especially with Sanders, who could very well get the starting nod at inside linebacker and can even play outside linebacker […]
The Denver Broncos made their first selection, finally, on Friday. They ended up going with Oklahoma receiver Marvin Mims, and a few picks later went defense with Drew Sanders.
They addressed needs with both picks, but especially with Sanders, who could very well get the starting nod at inside linebacker and can even play outside linebacker if he needs to. He and Baron Browning are the two players on the roster who can do both.
Sanders finished his 2023 season at Arkansas with 11 sacks and 36 pressures but was somehow still always around the ball. Barry Odom, the Razorbacks' defensive coordinator last season, even dropped him back in coverage a few times and he did fine.
Sanders let the Broncos media know that he can really do it all, but he didn't say it in a rude way. He is confident and just wants to help the team the best way he can.
"I was trying to prove a point of getting after the quarterback," Sanders said of his pass rush abilities at Arkansas in 2022. "I'm extremely confident in whatever the position needs me to do, whether it's getting after the quarterback or dropping back in coverage or stopping the run."
Sanders fits perfectly with the Vance Joseph 3-4 defense. He will be able to come off of the edge and try to take down quarterbacks, but he will also be put on the ball sometimes when Alex Singleton isn't.
There is a very huge chance that Sanders could be the full-time starter come the end of the season. He is just that good. Most big boards, like Dane Brugler of The Athletic, had Sanders as the best linebacker in the draft, and the Broncos got him in the third round with pick 67. According to Sean Payton, Sanders is an inside linebacker for the Broncos.
