Broncos 2017 roster: Inside linebacker Todd Davis

When the Denver Broncos lost Danny Trevathan to free agency after the 2015 Super Bowl run, they turned to third-year inside linebacker Todd Davis to fill the void. He performed admirably, but the Broncos will need him to play more consistently if the defense is to remain a dominant force throughout games.

Davis’ partner in crime, Brandon Marshall, noted that they worked through communication issues last season, but feel they’ve got that figured out now. Chemistry is half the battle, so now it’s all about making plays.

The Good

As an undrafted free agent, Davis has carved out a role in the NFL starting on the best defensive unit in football. He was an effective run defender and did not make as many glaring mistakes as one would expect from a first-year starter. He was one of the few players who did not miss a single tackle last season.

Pro Football Focus graded him out at an impressive +76.0. He notched 97 combined tackles, a half sack, a forced fumble, and three pass defenses in 2016. The Broncos will be counting on Davis to continue his growth and be even better in 2017.

The Bad

Coverage. The biggest hole on the Broncos defense continues to be covering running backs and tight ends in the pass game and Todd Davis played a big role in that problem.

Davis even acknowledged this issue during OTA’s last week saying, “I would love to stay on the field during those key third downs and in the down packages. I’m definitely working on my coverage and just trying to have a reason for me to not be off the field.”

If he can tighten up on coverage assignments, his growth could end up being the answer the Broncos were looking for when Trevathen left in free agency.

There is a caveat. When Todd Davis was on the field for 65% or more of the snaps in the game, the Broncos record was 1-4. That will definitely have to change.

Quotable

Also from this week of OTA’s, Davis was very animated when talking about new Broncos head coach Vance Joseph and what he means to the team just a few months into their working relationships.

“I love him. I love everything about him. I love his personality, his intensity and what he brings to the locker room and in the meeting room. I just like the person that he is. I love that he is a defensive minded head coach. I’ve never had one, so this is my first year. I love seeing him getting fired up when we make a play in practice. He knows the defense, and if something isn’t right, he’s stopping the play making sure we’re right. He’s definitely hands on, and definitely the right man for the job. Like I said earlier, we’re 1-0 in the Super Bowl with a new head coach, so I’m excited for this year.”

Status

Todd Davis is your 2017 starting inside linebacker for the Denver Broncos. That much is clear in hearing both Brandon Marshall and Davis talk about their chemistry and goals on the football field. There is too much investment there to consider another player coming in to break that up this offseason.

Last year, I didn’t think Davis was going to be a long-term answer for the Broncos. However, after his solid first season and if he continues to get better, that will be one snap judgement I’ll be taking back.