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Broncos 2nd-year linebacker's progress is 'night and day' from last summer
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- Broncos 2nd-year linebacker's progress is 'night and day' from last summer
The Denver Broncos may have found yet another undrafted gem.
Last year, the Broncos signed Fresno State linebacker Levelle Bailey as a college free agent following the 2024 NFL draft. After making the initial 53-man roster, Bailey was bumped down to the practice squad, only to be promoted to the active roster later in the season. He ended up dressing for 10 games as a rookie, but he played primarily on special teams ( 147 snaps ) with just five snaps on defense last fall.
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It seems safe to say his defensive snap count will take a big leap in 2025.
"Good," Broncos coach Sean Payton said when asked how Bailey has looked this summer. "We were discussing him last night. He's very smart. So for a second-year player at a position like that, it's night and day where he is at today and a year ago as an undrafted free agent where he was at. Special teams will be important. All those things where he could get on the field. We've been impressed and I'm glad we have him."
Bailey has gotten more reps at training camp following injuries to Alex Singleton ( thumb ) and Drew Sanders ( foot ), and the 24-year-old linebacker has taken advantage of his opportunity.
"It's crazy, I asked Levelle the other day, 'When you went to college, you were a safety, right?'" defensive lineman Malcolm Roach said. "Because I could tell the way he played. And he was like, 'Yeah, I was a nickel.' I said I could tell because his cover skills are so good, and you can tell he's kind of learning how to play the position of linebacker. When you see the way he comes downhill now compared to last year — and he put on a little weight. He got a few bricks in his pocket and stuff like that. The confidence is there, and I tell him all the time, 'The opportunity is there, you have to take it.'
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"Not saying we know as a team, but we have to know we can depend on you because we don't know how the season is going to go. We don't know who might go down and things like that. I always tell him, 'There is going to be a game where we are depending on [No.] 56 to step up. [If] you keep showing us what you're showing us on this field, we're going to have the utmost respect and faith in you to come out there and do it.' It's night and day and I love it. I love to see young, undrafted guys take the opportunity because that was me. You can't look back after you get it."
Bailey is probably the current favorite to serve as the No. 3 linebacker behind Dre Greenlaw and Singleton this fall. And, as Roach mentioned, there could be a point this season where the Broncos turn to Bailey as a starter. So far, Bailey appears to be ready for whatever role Denver gives him in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Levelle Bailey has made 'night and day' improvement
