Drew Sanders is changing positions again and going from LB to edge rusher

TL;DR

Drew Sanders is switching from linebacker back to edge rusher for the upcoming NFL season. This change comes as he faces competition for a roster spot with the Denver Broncos after struggling with injuries.

Key points

Drew Sanders is switching from linebacker to edge rusher
He faces competition for a roster spot with the Broncos
Injuries have impacted his career development
Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper are the starting edge rushers
Jonah Elliss's position switch influenced Sanders's move

Denver Broncos

Jan 12, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (41) enters the field before an AFC wild card game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images According to DNVR’s Zac Stevens, Denver Broncos linebacker and former 3rd round selection Drew Sanders is changing positions again. He was originally drafted as an off-ball linebacker before moving to edge rusher for a short period of time and then switching back to off-ball linebacker. However, according to Stevens, Drew Sanders is now moving back to edge rusher for this upcoming season. Drew Sanders had a lot of hype surrounding him after the Broncos drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, injuries and now multiple position switches have derailed his career a bit, and he is now firmly on the roster bubble as we head towards the 2026 NFL season. At edge rusher, the Broncos have Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper as the starters. Behind them, you have possibly Jonah Elliss(more on him in a minute), Que Robinson, who is coming off a promising rookie season, and interception machine . So, the Broncos have depth at edge rusher, and all five of these players have produced, so Sanders will have an uphill battle in making the team and becoming a contributor on defense. On top of that, we could see the Broncos add to the edge rusher room via the draft or UDFA, which will add even more competition for Sanders. I mentioned Jonah Elliss because his position switch likely impacted Sanders. Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph always described Sanders as a “pressure player”. However, with Jonah Ellis moving to linebacker in some capacity, it appears he is taking over that role and replacing Sanders, which triggered this position switch. Hopefully, Sanders can stay healthy throughout the offseason and training camp and push for a roster spot. He has missed out on a lot of significant developmental time due to his recurring injuries and cannot afford to miss much time at all this offseason. I believe he is firmly on the roster bubble and will need a strong offseason and summer to make the team.

Q&A

Why is Drew Sanders changing positions again?

Drew Sanders is moving back to edge rusher due to competition and the impact of Jonah Elliss's position switch, which has affected his role on the team.

What challenges does Drew Sanders face in making the Broncos roster?

Sanders faces significant competition from established edge rushers and must prove himself after injuries have hindered his development.

Who are the current edge rushers on the Denver Broncos roster?

The current edge rushers include Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper as starters, along with Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson, and Dondrea Tillman as depth options.