Justin

Strnad

While it was initially reported that Strnad would go to the Panthers, NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo reports that Strnad had a “change of heart” and will return to the Broncos. He was drafted by the Broncos in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, missing his rookie year with a wrist injury. The 27-year-old started five games at linebacker his second season, then became a core special teamer the last two seasons. Strnad will return to the Broncos with his special teams skills for at least another year.

Taken with the 178th pick in April’s draft, Strnad was expected to win the nickel linebacker job in Denver. An inside thumper with below average athleticism, Strnad was likely going to be a main contributor on special teams.

Strnad (6’3/238) was a captain and two-year starting inside linebacker at Wake Forest who averaged 8.7 tackles across his final two seasons. His high-end production comes from his energy and ability to read offenses, but he will be a 24-year-old rookie and is coming off a torn bicep that required surgery. In coverage, his 15th percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism and 4.74 speed is more exposed. Strnad’s overall upside is limited by his age and athleticism, but his on-field production and mental makeup make him a backup candidate and special teamer.

Strnad (6’3/238) was a captain and two-year starting inside linebacker at Wake Forest who averaged 8.7 tackles across his final two seasons. His high-end production comes from his energy and ability to read offenses, but he will be a 24-year-old rookie and is coming off a torn bicep that required surgery. In coverage, his 15th percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism and 4.74 speed is more exposed. Strnad’s overall upside is limited by his age and athleticism, but his on-field production and mental makeup make him a backup candidate and special teamer.

Strnad (6'3/238) did not have a great scouting combine, but it’s worth pointing out that the linebacker is coming off a torn biceps injury that kept him out from October one. “He’s built like a tall, puffed-up safety, but he also runs like one with the range to find play after play when he’s kept clean,” Zierlein writes in his overview. He notes that Strnad plays with twitchy, sudden feet; and that he has “electric burst” and doesn’t hesitate as a hitter. His concerns come in his frame (6'3/238), and that he needs to improve his block recognition. The below-average showing in Indianapolis won’t help, but Strnad still has a chance to be drafted for what he showed on the field prior to the injury.

Strnad (6'3/235) is expected to miss anywhere from three to four months after undergoing surgery, which rules him out for the remainder of the regular season and likely Wake Forest’s bowl game as well. With that being the case, the question now is how much will the injury impact Strnad’s NFL Draft prospects. The redshirt senior was given a fifth-round grade by Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network back in August. Strnad accounted for 69 total tackles (38 solo), two sacks, one interception and four passes defensed this season.

Strnad (6'3/235) was visibly frustrated as team trainers were examining his right arm around the biceps area. The redshirt senior is the leader of the Wake Forest defense, and if he’s unable to return that would be a huge personnel loss for the Demon Deacons. Strnad was given a fifth-round grade by Pro Football Network draft analyst Tony Pauline in August.

Strnad (6'3/235) was an honorable mention all-ACC selection in 2018, as he accounted for 105 total tackles (8.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks. And in Pauline’s view the redshirt senior has the ability to play his way up draft boards this fall. “Strnad is fast, explosive and outstanding in pursuit,” Pauline wrote in his analysis. “He gets great depth on pass drops and makes plays in every direction.” Strnad, one of the ACC’s best linebackers, has also been named a team captain for this season.