Bonitto is ninth linebacker picked by Broncos in last five NFL drafts

For the fifth year in a row, the Broncos used at least one of their draft picks on a linebacker, selecting Oklahoma outside linebacker Nik Bonitto with the 64th overall pick of the 2022 draft. With the Broncos choosing a pair of linebackers in last year’s draft, and handing their biggest free- agent contract to another (Randy Gregory) this offseason, the linebacker room has undergone a significant makeover since GM George Paton took over last winter. Here’s a look at how things worked out for the previous eight linebackers drafted by the Broncos:

Year Round-pick

2021 3-105 Baron Browning (OLB) Ohio State

Moved to inside linebacker as rookie due to injuries; started nine games with 57 tackles in 528 snaps.

Player School

2021 7-239 Jonathon Cooper (OLB) Ohio State Showed promise as a rookie off the edge, registering 2.5 sacks and 17.5 total disruptions over 457 snaps.

2020 5-178 Justin Strnad (ILB)

Lost rookie year to preseason wrist injury; unable to establish himself at ILB in

2021 but made impact on special teams (204 snaps).

Wake Forest

2020 7-254 Derrek Tuszka (OLB) North Dakota State Late-round pick was waived in August 2021 and later picked up by Pittsburgh.

2019 5-156 Justin Hollins (OLB) Oregon

Waived after Broncos’ 2020 training camp, and spent last two seasons with L.A. Rams.

2018 1- 5 Bradley Chubb (OLB) N.C. State

Set franchise rookie sack record (12.0) and made Pro Bowl in 2020, but also missed 24 of 49 games over past three seasons.

2018 4-106 Josey Jewell (ILB) Iowa

Started last season as defensive leader, but torn pectoral in Week 2 ended his season. Was No. 2 on team in tackles (113) in 2020 and appeared in 49 games (30 starts) since 2018.

2018 6-217 Keishawn Bierria (ILB) Washington Short-lived Broncos career ended when he was cut in October 2019. Mostly contributed on special teams.