Over the past three seasons, Malik Reed proved himself as a bona fide NFL outside linebacker while stepping in because of injuries to Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.
He played so well as a backup — 15 sacks over 45 games — that he made himself tradeable, a result of what general manager George Paton called a “log-jam” at the position. Denver sent Reed and its 2023 seventh-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for Pittsburgh’s sixth-rounder.
“We have a lot of really talented outside backers who can rush,” Paton said. “We thought it would be best to trade Malik and trade him to somewhere where he’s going to fit in (with the 3-4 defense). We wouldn’t have just traded him anywhere. He wanted to go to Pittsburgh, and we found a home for him. I think it’s a win-win for both sides.”
In Pittsburgh, Reed projects as the team’s third edge rusher behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. In Denver, Aaron Patrick took Reed’s spot on the initial 53-man roster, with Patrick’s value as a core special teams player no doubt contributing to that decision. Plus, Reed would’ve again been a rotational rusher with Denver in ’22, behind the starting tandem of Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory.
Undrafted rookie makes it. Jalen Virgil made the 53-man roster, the 18th time in the past 19 years that an undrafted rookie made the team’s initial roster. The lone exception to the streak came in 2015.
Virgil beat out fellow “on-the-bubble” wideouts Kendall Hinton, Seth Williams, Darrius Shepherd and Brandon Johnson, who was placed on injured reserve. Virgil’s game-breaking speed (a 40-time around 4.4) is rivaled on the team only by KJ Hamler. Virgil gives quarterback Russell Wilson another deep threat behind Hamler.
“You need speed in this league,” Paton said. “Virgil obviously provides that. Every (preseason) game he made plays. He made plays every practice, he can cover kicks, he can return kicks and was a really good returner in college (at Appalachian State). He’s answered every test, and aced it, and he’s got legit speed. He can take the top off the defense.”
The most recent undrafted Broncos players on the list that Virgil joined Tuesday include defensive lineman Andre Mintze in 2021 (since waived), cornerback Essang Bassey in 2020 (on this year’s roster after going back-and-forth to the Chargers on waiver claims last year) and Reed in 2019. Virgil had nine catches for 180 yards across Denver’s three preseason games.
“Procedural” moves. Two notable exclusions from the 53-man roster were nose tackle Mike Purcell and tight end/special teamer Eric Tomlinson. Paton called those cuts “procedural,” and that both players would re-sign with the team on Wednesday after the Broncos place tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring) and cornerback Michael Ojemudia (elbow) on injured reserve.
The veteran status of both Purcell and Tomlinson made them candidates for such a move, as the Broncos can cut those two players and not subject them to waiver claims from other teams.
“We have to hold these IR guys until tomorrow (to make it a short-term IR stint), and Purcell and Tomlinson are a big part of what we’re doing,” Paton said. “Mike’s one of our core guys, and we didn’t play him in the preseason. They’re going to be here, and they’re doing a favor for the team.”
Tyrie Cleveland’s status. The wideout made the 53-man roster despite being sidelined since Aug. 1 with a throat injury. Paton said Cleveland is “just about back,” and he’ll again be a core special teamer after playing 47% of the special teams snaps over the past two years. He is expected to play Week 1 in Seattle.
