Nate

Irving

Del Rio served as Irving’s defensive coordinator in Denver. With Nick Roach’s (concussion) future up in the air, the Raiders have incentive to sign a linebacker. We have Irving ranked eighth among free agent inside linebackers.

An early offseason report said the Broncos were high on Irving’s “presence and potential,” but he never got beyond special teams action as a rookie. Denver is hosting free agent Jameel McClain, who would be an ideal fit in the middle of Jack Del Rio’s defense as a two-down run-thumper.

The 67th overall pick in last year’s draft, the Broncos are smitten with Irving’s “presence and potential,” per Mason, and he may very well have started games in 2011 if not for the lockout-shortened offseason. Denver instead stuck with Joe Mays, a two-down thumper who lacks Irving’s range, playmaking ability, and cover skills. Mays may be allowed to sign elsewhere this spring.

Many observers expected last year’s 67th overall draft pick to start in the middle as a rookie, but Irving never beat out Joe Mays and is now listed directly behind Von Miller on the depth chart. Mays is entrenched inside, with undrafted rookie Steven Johnson behind him. Feel free to drop Irving in IDP leagues.

Obviously, he will not return. Irving remained down for several minutes after banging his head, but was eventually able to walk off the field under his own power. A special teamer and reserve linebacker, Irving has three tackles through three games.

It’s just a matter of time before Joe Mays is released. “He’s a bright guy, naturally a strong-handed guy,” Del Rio said of Irving. “A thick guy.” Stewart Bradley is the Broncos’ only fallback option behind Irving after they decided not to address the position in last month’s draft.

Middle linebacker is his only option with Von Miller and Wesley Woodyard entrenched on the outside. Irving, a 2011 third-rounder, played mainly in an outside reserve role in 2012. Keith Brooking, 38, is a free agent after starting 15 games, and D.J. Williams and Joe Mays could be cut due to lofty cap numbers.

Johnson received a $12K signing bonus as an undrafted free agent last year, indicating the Broncos gave him a draftable grade. Both Johnson and Irving were stalwarts on special teams, while Keith Brooking was the starter in the middle. Brooking, now a 37-year-old free agent, isn’t expected to be re-signed.

Reporter Mike Klis made a similar proclamation in January, but that was before the Broncos didn’t sign or draft any serious competition. A 2011 third-round pick, Irving has mostly played on the outside and special teams to this point in his career. Joe Mays is expected to be released, leaving Stewart Bradley as the Broncos’ only fallback option behind Irving.

Bradley actually started Thursday’s preseason opener against the 49ers, recording six tackles while playing most of the first half. “We’ll take a hard look at the tape and see who executed the best in the game situation and move from there,” said head coach John Fox. Neither player really stood out, and we don’t expect the winner of this battle to have much IDP value this season.