The Denver Broncos' pass-rushing room got significantly less scary after the team traded Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams. As much as the fans wanted Miller to stay in orange and blue, GM George Paton felt the trade needed to happen. Bradley Chubb, who the Broncos drafted in 2018, has struggled to stay consistent and has yet to establish himself as a pass rusher quarterbacks are terrified of. Malik Reed was a wonderful undrafted free agent find, and on some occasions has outperformed the first-round pick, Chubb.

During the 2022 free agency period, the Broncos signed Randy Gregory who spent the first part of his career with the Dallas Cowboys. Many analysts questioned the large contract the Broncos gave Gregory, considering he's faced multiple suspensions in his career and has struggled to stay healthy. Gregory is coming off of rotator cuff surgery he had during the offseason. The team does expect Gregory to be healthy by the time the season starts. But as it stands, he has yet to fully practice with the team.

Unfortunately, the pass-rushing room got hit with another injury. Jonathan Cooper suffered a finger (tendon) injury and is expected to have surgery. There is no exact timetable on how long he will be out. Before the injury, Cooper was getting reps with the 1st team defense. Cooper was another great find in the final round of the 2021 draft.

With some 7th-round picks not seeing action in their first year, and some not even making the roster, Cooper had himself a solid rookie campaign. He racked up 58 tackles (32 solo) and 2 tackles for loss. He also has been flexed between inside and outside linebacker. His injury is definitely unfortunate, but it now leaves the door open for other players on the roster to step up.

Who can step up

The Broncos used their first pick of the 2022 draft on linebacker Nik Bonitto out of Oklahoma. With the injury to Cooper, and Gregory slowly working back from surgery, Bonitto has a golden opportunity to establish himself on the roster. With a strong training camp and preseason showing, Bonitto could find himself getting some starter snaps. Bonitto's play could also be a deciding factor in Chubb's potential future with the team. Chubb hasn't really had a season that proved he deserves a contract extension. If Bonitto shines, Chubb may be on his way out of Denver, unless the team can sign him to a short-term deal.

Reed, now considered to be a veteran on the team, should also step up in the absence of Gregory and Cooper. The former undrafted free agent has led the Broncos in total sacks over the past two seasons. Should Reed continue to perform at a high level, he could potentially take some snaps from Chubb, and could even end up being Chubb's replacement once his contract expires.

Baron Browning, another rookie from last season, can also find an opportunity with the Broncos. During the offseason, Browning made the transition from inside linebacker to edge rusher. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero acknowledged that Browning had a solid minicamp.

“He really displayed some things, showed some really good rush ability,” said Evero. “Obviously, with the transition, he has to get better at some of the fundamentals in terms of hitting blocks and setting the edge and he’s been doing a great, great job.”

Christopher Allen was named as one of the undrafted free agents that has the best chance at making the Broncos roster. If he stays healthy, he has a solid chance at not only making the roster but getting some 2nd and 3rd string reps at outside linebacker.

Before the season starts, there will be lots of shuffling with the Broncos' edge-rushing position. Denver certainly don't have the most intimidating pass-rushing room in the AFC West, but they definitely aren't the worst. Injuries and the ability to avoid them will be key to how well the unit can perform.