Broncos Undrafted Rookie Spotlight: Taurean York has great chance to crack 53-man roster

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After the Denver Broncos navigated their way through the 2026 NFL Draft, many fans were likely considered over the fact that the team did not use one of its earlier picks on an inside linebacker.

Inside linebacker was the position the team was weakest at coming into the selection process, but a run on them in the second round may have forced the team to change its strategy. However, the seventh-round selection of Red Murdock as this year's "Mr. Irrelevant," followed by the undrafted free-agent signing of Taurean York, gives off the impression that the team did quite well in adding potential depth at the position.

Name: Taurean York
Position: Linebacker
School: Texas A&M
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 226

York's size likely knocked him down the board as many teams saw him as too short to hold up in the league. However, he is a smart football player who has the kind of energy to rile up his defensive teammates. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had a draftable grade on him and compared him to Ivan Pace, who has proven to be a solid linebacker in the league.

In three seasons with the Aggies, York had 229 tackles, 6.5 sacks and one interception. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report wrote that York has the best chance of any of the Broncos' undrafted free agents to make the team this year.

"The Denver Broncos didn't enter the draft with many glaring needs, but their depth at linebacker was questionable. Denver added some new pieces to the puzzle in the form of seven-round Buffalo linebacker—and Mr. Irrelevant—Red Murdock and free-agent signing Taurean York of Texas A&M.

While making a roster as deep as Denver's as an UDFA is a challenge, the talented, if undersized (5'11", 226 lbs), York has the goods to make a strong impression.

In three seasons with the Aggies, York tallied 229 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and seven passes defended. Expect him to push players like Murdock and 2025 UDFA Jordan Turner for a spot on defense and special teams", wrote Knox.

Chances of making 53-man roster (1-10 scale): 5

York has a great chance of making this team due to the uncertainty at the inside linebacker position, though the move of Jonah Elliss to the inside, so long as it pans out, could close a lot of that opportunity. But aside from that, the Broncos are thin at the position with Murdock and Levelle Bailey, Jordan Turner and Karene Reid (who were all undrafted players) making up the rest of the depth.

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York will need to carve out a role as a special teams player in camp and preseason games, but showing that he can hold up in pass coverage wouldn't hurt. At the very least, he's almost a certainty for the practice squad if he doesn't make the team, should he clear waivers.