Things can always look better on paper than they do in reality but on paper, the Denver Broncos appear to have an excellent crop of undrafted players heading into the 2024 NFL season.
It's hard to pick out one undrafted Broncos player to watch this summer to see how he progresses toward making the roster, but if you had to pick one, linebacker Levelle Bailey wouldn't be a bad choice.
Bailey steps in at a position that is not necessarily a strength of this team, so a strong showing in training camp and preseason games could lead to some good things.
Denver Broncos undrafted rookie spotlight
Player: Levelle Bailey
Position: Inside linebacker
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 226
Hometown: Sacramento, CA.
School: Fresno State
Bailey is one of the best undrafted players the Broncos brought in following the draft. He played in 58 games at Fresno State and was a team leader, racking up 277 tackles (25.5 for loss), seven sacks and six interceptions during his time there.
He is a productive player but he went undrafted because his play recognition and ability to fight off blocks needs to be better.
When asked about the competition at linebacker, Broncos head coach Sean Payton brought up undrafted rookie Levelle Bailey out of Fresno State.
— Henry Chisholm (@HenryChisholm) June 11, 2024
Bailey is one of the Broncos’ highest-paid undrafted rookies and is part of the rotation at linebacker.
With the Broncos, there is (and has been for some time) an opportunity at the middle linebacker position. Alex Singleton will be one of the starters but after that, all bets are off. The injury to Drew Sanders (if he was going to be played on the inside) makes things more confusing but also opens the door for a guy like Bailey.
The Broncos also have veterans Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith and Justin Strnad at the position, so Bailey will have his work cut out for him, but he will certainly be in the mix.
Chances of making 53-man roster (1-10 scale): 5.5
The Broncos have big question marks at inside linebacker outside of the tackling machine Singleton. Griffth and Barton are likely good bets to make the roster due to their experience, but Bailey could easily nudge a guy like Strnad off the team.
What could set Bailey apart is his ability to drop back into coverage. He had six interceptions in college and film shows he can stay with receivers and interrupt routes or make plays on the ball. That could be huge for this team as it has been sorely needed for years at this position.
That gives Bailey the best chance of any undrafted player to make the final roster that has been covered to this point in our spotlight series.
