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Denver Broncos: Top breakout players for the 2018 season

By Sayre Bedinger

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Tight end Jake Butt #88 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a touchdown in the second quarter in front of defensive back Shaquill Griffin #10 of the UCF Knights during a college football game at Michigan Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Tight end Jake Butt #88 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a touchdown in the second quarter in front of defensive back Shaquill Griffin #10 of the UCF Knights during a college football game at Michigan Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked by defensive end DeMarcus Walker #57 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 27-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked by defensive end DeMarcus Walker #57 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 27-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

DeMarcus Walker, DL

When injuries arose at outside linebacker for the Broncos in the 2017 offseason to both Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray, the team made a foolish decision and switched second-round pick DeMarcus Walker to outside linebacker.

On tape at Florida State, it was clear to see that the further inside Walker was on the defensive line, the more effective he was.

Not to mention, Walker was lightning quick off the snap from the inside and oddly slow off of it from the outside.

Needless to say, the position change proved fruitless, and the Broncos moved Walker back to the defensive line before season’s end.

Now back into a full-time role on the defensive line, Walker has increased his weight back up to 284 pounds (he was down in the 240s as a rookie) and has shown well in OTAs and training camp.

The Broncos have some exciting interior pass rushers, but Walker has  the highest ceiling.

He could be a breakout player as a reserve for the Broncos in 2018.

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