2011 Denver Broncos Preview: Defensive Tackles

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Vickerson was signed by the Broncos in 2010 after being traded by the Tennessee Titans and released by the Seattle Seahawks in the same offseason. It didn't take long for "Big Vick" to generate interest on the open market, as he signed with the Denver Broncos just one day after being released. 

Vickerson showed he was worthy of not only a spot with the Broncos, but he was good enough that he actually became a starter for this team, and a darn good one at that. He had easily his best season as a pro in 2010 with the Broncos, playing in 15 games and starting 12. He had a career high 42 tackles, three sacks, three passes defensed, and an interception.

He was good enough last season that the Broncos were comfortable making him the only defensive tackle to return this season heading into training camp. They signed him to a two year extension before the lockout was put into place, and Vickerson figures to be an integral part of the Broncos' defense again this season. Here is his SB Nation scouting report:

Scouting Report

Assets	Possesses good size and adequate athletic ability but his power is his biggest asset. Is capable of punching his way through the offensive line with a nice first step.
Flaws	Doesn't have elite speed or quickness. Isn't much of a lateral mover and can be neutralized by big guys who stay in line with him. May have already peaked in terms of improvement. Has had some injury and discipline issues.
Career Potential	Good rotational D-lineman. Awards

A bio from the Denver Broncos official team site:

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A big round of applause is in order for Marcus Thomas, one of the only players to make it through all three of the Broncos' coaching regimes ranging from Shanahan to John Fox. Thomas has been developing with the Broncos since his rookie year in 2007, when he was considered a top of the line prospect who fell in the draft due to character concerns (he was kicked out of Florida).

But, with all that behind him now, the 25 year old is looking to make a name for himself in the NFL, and he has steadily been making strides on the field to prove that he can be an effective defensive tackle in the NFL, and the Broncos are back in the scheme that best suits his talents. 

Since SB Nation doesn't already have a scouting report for Thomas, I will offer mine having watched every game of his since 2007. Thomas is a great athlete for his size and he has tremendous potential. Whether or not he can tap into that potential remains to be seen. He has not been a high impact player for the Broncos, but he has been durable and reliable for the Broncos, playing or appearing in every game since 2007 (64 straight regular season games). 

If Thomas can channel his inner beast this year, he could be set to make some serious cash when he is again a free agent next offseason. He is still very young, and I maintain that he is still very talented. Here are his career notes from the Broncos' official site:

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Brodrick Bunkley could turn out to be one of the steals of the 2011 offseason if he checks out health-wise. Before playing most of last year with an injury, Bunkley was considered one of the better defensive tackles in the game, and specifically against the run. He has not turned out into the pass rusher the Eagles had hoped he would when they drafted him, but he is an aggressive player who works hard, and he will fit in well with the Broncos. 

The former first round pick out of Florida state has played in 76 career games, and has six sacks to go along with 177 tackles. He immediately upgrades the Broncos' toughness up front, and he will be that much needed gap-clogger on the interior. Here is a scouting report from SB Nation:

Scouting Report

Assets	Brings an aggressive style to the interior line, mixing spin moves and a quick first step to stuff the run and occasionally break into the backfield. A very intense competitor.
Flaws	A little short for a lineman. Prefers to go after the ball rather than drop back in coverage, a sometimes gambling style that might occasionally get him burned.
Career Potential	Above-average starter. Awards

Here is a very detailed and in-depth biography on Bunkley from the Philadelphia Eagles' official site.

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Jarmon is a hybrid defensive tackle/defensive end prospect who came over to the Broncos from the Washington Redskins in the Jabar Gaffney trade. He is still a very young player at 23 years old, but has been in the league for three years already and was a good low risk, potentially high upside acquisition by the Broncos.

He is a powerful player who isn't really a great pass rusher from the outside, but if you put him inside he could possibly make an impact in that regard with his bull rush moves. At this point for the Broncos, Jarmon is a bit of a project, but they are going to call upon him to be part of the defensive tackle and defensive end rotation right away. He excels at stopping the run, and here is a scouting report from SB Nation:

Scouting Report

Assets	Good size for the position. Has great strength and reach. Possesses good run-blocking skills and is a solid tackler.
Flaws	Needs to improve his vision of the field and learn to read offenses. Doesn't burst out of the line and isn't a pass rusher.
Career Potential	Rotational defensive end with solid upside. Awards

Here is his official biography from the Washington Redskins' official site.

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Now that Kevin Vickerson has lost all this weight, Louis Leonard has replaced him as the team's biggest defensive tackle. Leonard's NFL career started in St. Louis but he didn't see any NFL action until he wound up with the Cleveland Browns, who slow-played him into the lineup. 

In 2008, Leonard had 25 tackles for the Browns and showed some upside, and he was traded to the Carolina Panthers where he kind of flopped. He only played two games for them, and he was then cut and picked up by the New England Patriots. When the Patriots parted ways with him last year, the Broncos snagged him up. He has struggled with durability in his career, but he has the potential to be solid as a rotational run stuffer. Here is his scouting report from SB Nation, followed by his bio from the Denver Broncos official site:

Assets	A solid run-stopper. Has the legitimate size to excel on the NFL D-line and can play several positions on it. Possesses some explosiveness & quickness, as well as good in-game intensity.
Flaws	Not much of an edge rusher or pocket collapser, and lacks speed after his initial moves. Durability is questionable.
Career Potential	Adequate depth defensive lineman. Awards

Leonard (6-foot-4, 325 pounds) is a fourth-year player who has played 25 career games (5 starts) for New England (2010), Carolina (2009-10) and Cleveland (2007-08), totaling 46 tackles (27 solo) and one sack (9 yds.). He originally entered the NFL as a college free agent with San Diego after attending Fresno State University.

He played 43 games (23 starts) for the Bulldogs and recorded 68 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks.

A first-team All-CIF selection at Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles, he was born on July 16, 1984.

 

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When the Broncos picked up Ryan McBean in 2009, it seemed he was a long shot to even make the roster. After a strong camp and a good pre-season, McBean found himself starting 14 games for Denver in 2009, and then returning the next season to play in all 16 games and start four. 

After falling out of favor with the coaching staff in Pittsburgh, he was let go and subsequently signed by the Broncos. He had 25 tackles in 2009 and 19 this past season, but he is probably most well-known and infamous for his two facemask infractions this past season, which came in one game at a critical juncture. I'm sure McBean felt the weight of the world at that point, but nonetheless, the Broncos have stuck with him and he signed his restricted free agent tender, and will return to practice as soon as the new CBA is finalized. Perhaps a change in scheme can alter McBean's fortunes with the team. Here is a scouting report from SB Nation followed by his bio from the official team site:

Scouting Report

Assets	A very athletic, quick and strong lineman who is fast enough to play at end but just big enough to also succeed in the middle of the line.
Flaws	Not an explosive player off the line and doesn't have much pass-rushing skills. Plays tentatively at times and could improve his tackling abilites.
Career Potential	Adequate starter. Awards

 

McBEAN AT A GLANCE:

• A third-year defensive lineman who emerged as a full-time starter for the first time in his career in 2009, starting 14 games and registering 25 tackles (18 solo) for the Broncos.

• Spent the entire 2008 regular season on Denver’s practice squad after competing in Pittsburgh’s training camp to begin the year.

• Made his NFL debut as a rookie in the Steelers’ 2007 regular-season finale at Baltimore (12/30/07) after spending the majority of the year on their practice squad as a rookie.

• Played two seasons at Oklahoma State University, starting 23-of-24 games played, after beginning his collegiate career at Hinds Community College in Hinds, Miss.

• Joined the Broncos as a practice-squad signee on Sept. 1, 2008.

• Selected by Pittsburgh in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft.

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Unrein was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Houston Texans last year, and was cut prior to the start of the season. The Broncos signed him to their practice squad last October, and he has yet to see any action in the orange and blue. Perhaps the pre-season will be Unrein's time to shine after a solid career at Wyoming. Here is his bio from the official team site:

Unrein is rookie defensive lineman who spent the 2010 preseason with Houston after being signed by the Texans as a college free agent from the University of Wyoming.