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Broncos roster: LB Drew Sanders (No. 41) competing for role on defense
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- Broncos roster: LB Drew Sanders (No. 41) competing for role on defense
Broncos Wire 's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at third-year linebacker Drew Sanders , No. 41.
Before the Broncos :Sanders (6-5, 233 pounds) played in the SEC for the entirety of his college career. Sanders played two years at Alabama from 2020-21, and he knows what it means to come out on top; Sanders won a national championship with the Crimson Tide in 2020. In two years at Alabama, Sanders played in 23 games, recording 33 total tackles (16 solo, 17 assisted, three tackles for loss), three pass deflections and 1.0 sacks.
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Sanders transferred to Arkansas prior to 2022, and he immediately exploded in production. In 12 games with the Razorbacks, Sanders made 103 total tackles (40 solo, 63 assisted, 14 tackles for loss), 9.5 sacks, five pass deflections, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception.
Sanders' breakout season in 2022 caught the eye of the Denver Broncos , who selected Sanders in the third round (67th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft.
Broncos tenure:Sanders dressed for all 17 games in 2023, making four starts, totaling 24 total tackles (13 solo, 11 assisted, one tackle for loss) and one fumble recovery. After missing the beginning of the 2024 season while recovering from an Achilles injury, Sanders returned late in the year and appeared in four games (plus the Broncos' lone playoff game). In limited action, Sanders recorded eight tackles (four solo, four assisted, one tackle for loss) and 1.0 sacks in 2024.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Near certain. Earlier this year, coach Sean Payton specifically referenced Sanders as an "inside linebacker," giving him some position clarity after bouncing between roles over the last two years. The Broncos brought in Dre Greenlaw this spring, but Sanders will still get an opportunity to compete for significant playing time as Alex Singleton is coming off a torn ACL and will turn 32 this season. Sanders isn't a lock to start, but he feels likely to make the active roster and have a key role in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Drew Sanders competing for role on defense
