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Broncos roster: LB Justin Strnad (No. 40) coming off career year
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- Broncos roster: LB Justin Strnad (No. 40) coming off career year
Broncos Wire 's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at sixth-year linebacker Justin Strnad , No. 40.
Before the Broncos :Strnad (6-3, 235 pounds) was a four-year player at Wake Forest from 2016-19, playing in 46 games throughout his time with the Demon Deacons . Strnad compiled 244 total tackles (145 solo, 99 assisted, 24 tackles for loss), 8.0 sacks, four interceptions, 10 pass deflections, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Strnad's productive college career led to him being selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round (178 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft.
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Broncos tenure:Strnad's rookie season ended before it began, when he suffered a season-ending wrist injury. Strnad came back in 2021, making 36 total tackles (23 solo, 13 assisted) and three quarterback hits. From 2022-23, Strnad was exclusively playing special teams, playing over 80 percent of special teams snaps each year, making 10 total tackles (eight solo, two assisted).
Strnad had a breakout season on defense in 2024, playing in all 17 games and one postseason game. He stepped up when starting linebacker Alex Singleton tore his ACL against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. Strnad made 73 total tackles (48 solo, 25 assisted, eight tackles for loss), three pass deflections and 3.0 sacks in eight starts last fall.
Chances to make the 53-man roster:Likely. Strnad helped step up in the absence of Singleton, along with the likes of Cody Barton . Barton departed in free agency , and the Broncos signed former 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw , likely putting Strnad in a backup role behind Singleton and Greenlaw. With starting experience, though, Strnad is a valuable rotational linebacker, and he should have a key role in the kicking game.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Justin Strnad coming off career year
