With linebacker D.J. Williams out the first six games, and possibly more, the Broncos are faced with an uncertain situation at the position.
Williams’ future is cloudy beyond the looming six-game suspension after he was accused of manipulating three urine tests, but the reality is the Broncos did little to cover themselves anyway.
As Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post notes, re-signing Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard doesn’t cover the fact the Broncos are very thin at the position going into camp.
Mays is a solid two-down middle linebacker. Woodyard has filled in for Williams before. But the Broncos were down to working sixth-round rookie Danny Trevathan with the starting nickel defense in minicamp, a clear sign they’re scrambling for answers.
That’s the first challenge for new defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, who might be the best linebacker not named Von Miller on the Broncos roster.
So while all eyes will be on Peyton Manning once camp starts, the questions on the other side of the ball will loom equally large.