A healthy inside linebacker corps could make the Broncos’ defense elite in 2025

The Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in the National Football League. Though their overall potential for greatness in 2025 may hinge on the health and productivity of their inside linebacking corps.

The Denver Broncos defense was impressive in 2024. Their penchant for sacks and forcing turnovers helped propel to franchise to their first playoff berth in a decade. However, I believe they have the potential to be special and even better this coming season.

Sporting a top-notch secondary, formidable defensive line, and talented group of edge rushers, the Broncos are poised to be one of the National Football League’s best units. However, the position group that might make or break how great they can become is at inside linebacker.

It’s a talented unit but concerns surrounding the health of the presumptive starters make the group’s potential hard to project. If there is a position group that has the most boom or bust potential on the team’s roster—this would be it. Let’s take a deeper look at the group of players vying for playing time at inside linebacker.

2025 Denver Broncos Inside Linebacker Review

Dre Greenlaw — Big Ticket Free Agency Starter

With Cody Barton departing in free agency and lingering concerns over the overall depth and talent at the position, the Broncos made a splash in free agency to bolster the unit. They signed former San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a three-year contract worth $35 million dollars.

The Broncos are hoping the injury woes are behind the veteran linebacker. In 2024, he played in just two games after experiencing complications from a torn Achilles suffered late in Super Bowl LVIII. Though in 2022 and 2023, Greenlaw graded out as one of the best inside linebackers in the league and accrued over 120 tackles in those two seasons.

If healthy, Greenlaw could be the player that helps the Broncos’ defense become transformative in ‘25. Though that’s a big if—as he has never played a full season in his career. When at his best, he’s a versatile defender that excels in coverage which would be a big upgrade for the team’s defense.

Alex Singleton — Recovering from Injury / Starter

After productive seasons in ‘22 and ‘23 with the Broncos, Alex Singleton was poised for a big year in ‘24. Unfortunately, he suffered a significant knee (ACL) injury early on in the season and is still recovering. Entering the final year of his contract, the 32-year-old veteran is hoping to show he can revert back to prior form.

When healthy, Singleton is a viable starter that is always around the action making plays. In my opinion is at his best defending the run. However, he needs to improve on his missed tackle rate which has been a concern over the course of his career. With respect to coverage, I would classify his abilities there as average, but his deficiencies in that regard are somewhat masked with the addition of Greenlaw.

If healthy, I expect Singleton to have an impressive campaign. The defensive line in front of him is a strength and got even better. That should help keep him clean and allow for him to roam and make plays.

Justin Strnad — Valuable Backup and Special Teamer

When Singleton went down last season, Justin Strnad answered the call and played admirably. In the final year of his rookie contract, Strnad played all seventeen regular season games with eight starts. He had 73 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.

The Broncos brought back the fifth-year pro on a one-year deal. Strnad’s experience as a starter and ability to be a fulcrum on special teams will net him a spot on the Broncos’ final 53-man roster. And if either of the aforementioned miss time with injury, he is the player I’d expect to be the next man up.

Drew Sanders — Pressure Player and Special Teamer

Three years ago, the Broncos took a roll on the dice with former Alabama turned Arkansas prospect Drew Sanders. Moving around from inside linebacker to edge during his collegiate career, Sanders never found a singular position to truly call his home.

Such has been the case with his time with the Broncos, platooning between inside linebacker and edge rusher. Last year he was limited to just four games after suffering a torn Achilles during the team’s offseason training program.

For the coming season, both Head Coach Sean Payton and Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph have said their vision for him is on the inside—designating him as a potential pressure player in the team’s defense. Sanders’ ability to generate pressure as a blitzer is something I expect to see a lot of in certain packages this season. His athleticism and size will also make him a quality special teams’ contributor.

Levelle Bailey — Developmental Backup & Special Teams Player

Undrafted out of Fresno State, Bailey was one of the surprise players of last year’s training camp and preseason. He may be undersized, but he has great athleticism and a nose for the football. After initially making the final roster, he was waived and placed on the team’s practice squad when the team brought in veteran Kristian Welch.

Eventually, Bailey earned a promotion to the active roster in early October after a series of roster moves. Appearing in 10 games, the rookie posted 5 tackles playing just five defensive snaps, but 147 special teams snaps. With three players ahead of him on the depth chart having significant injury histories, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team carry five inside linebackers. Though if they just keep four, I’d expect him to be the first man up off the practice squad.

Everyone Else — Practice Squad Candidates

The Broncos also brought in JB Brown, Jordan Turner, and Karene Reid as undrafted free agents this offseason. All three have an intriguing skill set, but I don’t see an easy path for any of them to the final roster. At the very least, I could see a handful of them being retained on the practice squad with two of Denver’s top four linebacking options in the final years of their contracts.

Final Thoughts

Of any position group on the Broncos’ roster, the inside linebacker appears to have the most uncertainty. On paper, a healthy duo of Greenlaw and Singleton could prove to be transformative for the Broncos’ defense. If not, and that’s a huge concern, they will have to hope Strnad can step up and play with consistency. Whether they keep four or five on the active roster is something I’ll be keeping my eye on too.