Can new guys fix the same old problems for the Broncos?
Oct 3, 2019, 6:16 AM
The Broncos are in a world of suck. So, how do they get out of it when a lack of depth seems to be their biggest problem?
They made some personnel moves on Tuesday to help with that depth problem. The Broncos signed free-agent outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu and tackle Calvin Anderson off of the New York Jets’ practice squad to their active roster. In corresponding moves, the club placed outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee) on injured reserve and waived inside linebacker Keishawn Bierria.
Who are these new guys and can they help solve old problems for the Broncos? Let’s take a look.
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Jeremiah Attaochu
Background: I liked Attaochu’s game when he was in college at Georgia Tech. He was teammates with a young Adam Gotsis back then for the Yellow Jackets, but it was Attaochu who was the star player. The Chargers selected Attaochu in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he ended up playing four seasons in San Diego/Los Angeles.
Injuries derailed his career with the Chargers and Attaochu never played a full 16-game season for the team that drafted him with a premium pick. As a free agent in 2018, Attaochu ended up signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the 49ers. He failed to make their 53-man roster and was released.
The Jets promptly picked him up, and Attaochu played 171 snaps as a part-time player. He did get eight tackles, 2.0 sacks and forced one fumble as a rotational player for the Jets. Attaochu played in 11 games and his season ended with a concussion as the Jets put him on Injured Reserve in late December.
Once again on the free-agent market, the Chiefs decided to sign Attaochu to a one-year deal. He did not make the final cuts and was released before the start of the regular season. Here we are about a month later and Attaochu is back in the AFC West with the Broncos.
Skill Set: His game has always been about speed around the edge. That’s what made him a standout player in college and that’s what has flashed for Attaochu in the pros. He obviously needs to stay healthy in order to play up to his potential, but this veteran knows how to find the quarterback. He has a quick burst to the play when he sniffs it out, and Attaochu rarely lets a target out of his grasp.
Here to Fix: Clearly, this move was done in response to losing Chubb for the year. Attaochu will work as a rotational player when the team needs to give Von Miller a breather. On the team’s official depth chart, the veteran is listed as the primary backup to Miller. Malik Reed and Justin Hollins are listed as co-starters in Chubb’s old spot opposite of Miller and we’ll see which one starts and gets more reps on Sunday against the Chargers.
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Calvin Anderson
Background: Anderson was not heavily recruited out of high school. Coming from an athletic family, his grandfather was a professional tennis player and his father was a football player for Army.
He was a two-star recruit in high school and did not get much attention at 235 pounds. Anderson went to Rice and was a four-year starter at left tackle. He was a graduate transfer (mathematical economics and religion double major) to the University of Texas in 2018 and started another 14 games at left tackle, bringing his total number of starts in college to 50. In his one year for the Longhorns, Anderson was named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 team. He was not invited to the Scouting Combine and did not play in any college All-Star games.
Anderson was picked up as a college free agent after the 2019 NFL Draft. The Patriots originally signed him but he was cut after rookie camp. The Jets then picked him up and held onto him through training camp and the preseason. Anderson failed to make the 53-man roster but the Jets wanted him to stick around as a developmental player on their practice squad. The Broncos now have Anderson on their active roster after stealing him away from the Jets.
Skill Set: The first thing that stands out about Anderson is his athleticism and short-area quickness. The next thing scouts talk about is Anderson’s intelligence. He’s a smart, curious and driven player with multiple interests. Anderson studies his craft and has been durable through his college career, showing toughness and playing through pain. He does need to work on his technique as faster edge players will get by him despite his athleticism. Anderson will bend his knee and get too far outstretched to recover on a secondary move. Some scouts I talk to suggest that Anderson’s best chance to stay in the pros is inside at guard.
Here to Fix: It would be difficult to imagine that Anderson is going to be inserted into the starting lineup anytime soon. However, he does give the team great versatility on the offensive line. He was a 50-game starter at left tackle in college, and working with offensive line coach Mike Munchak will be a boost for his natural talent. If Anderson does not work out at tackle, then the Broncos could move him to guard if necessary. He’s a long-shot to make an impact for the Broncos, but Anderson is a very intriguing developmental prospect worth putting time into.
