Broncos' recent linebacker news may be final straw for former third-round pick

The Denver Broncos seemed to have a promising prospect fall to them when they selected Drew Sanders with the No. 67 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Instead, they have had an injury-prone player who has brought more questions than answers during his career. 

Entering the 2026 season, it seems like it's a make-or-break year for the former Arkansas product. Sanders has played in just 21 of a possible 51-regular season games during his career thus far and he missed the entire 2025 season with an injury. As a result, his career statistics total only 32 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. 

When his Broncos career began, Sanders was seen as a 'tweener' at the linebacker position, able to play on the outside or inside. In 2024, the team moved him to the inside. He missed the 2025 season after suffering a foot injury early in training camp and this offseason, news came out that the team plans to move him back to the outside. 

One has to wonder if that will still be the plan after Sean Payton recently discussed the team deciding to leave Jonah Elliss on the outside after it was initially mentioned this offseason that he would be moving inside. 

Does Drew Sanders have a place on the Broncos' roster in 2026?

Moving Elliss seemed like the only thing that gave Sanders much of a chance to stick around. Now, if he really is going to be competing for a spot on the outside, his chances of making the 53-man roster are not very good. 

Instead, the Broncos may consider keeping him on the inside, a spot where the team seems to have a weakness. One thing is for sure: Sanders cannot afford another injury at this stage in his career. 

Regardless of which position he is playing this summer, Sanders is going to have an uphill climb to make the team, despite his high draft status just a few years ago. His inability to stay on the field has severely hampered his career to this point and if he's going to be in Denver much longer, he'll have to quickly start to create a new narrative. 

RELATED READ: Sean Payton makes announcement that changes everything for Broncos' linebacker position

It seems unlikely that scenario would develop as an outside linebacker, given the current state of that position on this team. 

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