The general consensus outside of Broncos headquarters entering the NFL draft was that Denver had a glaring need for inside linebackers. Seven rounds came and went. Denver didn’t find their pick.
The Broncos’ lone linebacker selection, Oregon’s Justin Hollins in the fifth round (No. 156), thrived as an outside rusher for the Ducks. The 6-41/2, 242-pound Hollins had 13 sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss over four seasons.
But Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Hollins is not just an outside linebacker.
“I like his versatility,” Fangio said. “He’s played primarily outside linebacker, but he has played a little bit of inside linebacker, particularly in one of the All-Star games.