Justin Strnad

Strnad has earned a bigger assignment through steady special-teams and defensive work. He brings speed and familiarity, and 2026 is his chance to prove he can carry a starter's workload.

Strengths: Experience, speed, scheme knowledge, special teams and pressure contribution.

Weaknesses: New to a sustained starting role and must show consistent block shedding inside.

Strnad has grown into one of those valuable linebackers who can do a little of everything. He can start, rush, cover enough to survive and still play special teams. The 4.5 sacks and interception in 2025 showed real growth. A six fits a strong versatile contributor. He is not the flashiest name, but he makes Denver's depth much more trustworthy.

Strengths: He has strong versatility, meaningful starting experience and recent production as a blitzer. Strnad also retains special-teams value, which makes him a flexible game-day option.

Weaknesses: He can be challenged by high-end athletic mismatches in space, and his role is more complementary than dominant. He must continue to win with recognition and angles rather than relying on pure range.