Denver Broncos GM Brian Xanders Says Von Miller Will Start

This shouldn’t come as a huge shocker, but before Von Miller is even really allowed to talk to his new coaches in the NFL, he is a starting linebacker for the Denver Broncos.

Gotta love the lockout, right?

In an interview with the Denver Post in which Broncos GM Brian Xanders addressed free agency (and topics not including QB Tim Tebow) he stated specifically that Von Miller will be a starting linebacker for the Broncos when training camp opens.

“Post-draft, we’ve had time to refine our post-draft roster,” Xanders said. “We could reassess our needs after the draft. For example we drafted three linebackers — Von Miller is going to start, Nate Irving has a good chance to compete to start and (Mike) Mohamed can play all three spots. So it doesn’t make any sense to sign (an unrestricted free agent) linebacker.

“For the first time, free agency is going to come after the draft. So we’re in a position where we can attack specifically who we want to target. When we get the word, we can move very quickly and we will.”

So, the rookie out of Texas A&M and one of the fastest rising prospects I’ve probably ever seen will be inserted in the starting lineup when training camp opens for the Denver Broncos, and I can’t say I’m the least bit shocked. The Broncos drafted Miller to make an immediate impact, and it appears as though he will do just that. The team is also really high on MIKE linebacker Nate Irving, whom Bill Parcells said was the best inside linebacker in the entire draft.

Another interesting name that Xanders mentioned was Mike Mohamed, who was basically “Steady Eddie” for the Cal Golden Bears. Not a flashy athlete, but a good tackler and an instinctive player whose presence will be known on the Broncos’ special teams units.