The Saints-Broncos pipeline stays active, as Sean Payton prepares for his 2d season in Denver. The longtime New Orleans HC will carry in one of his former defensive linemen.
Malcolm Roach is heading to Denver on a two-year deal really worth up to $8MM, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The Broncos have two eight-figure-per-year contracts on their protecting line, but the group has some depth questions behind the Zach Allen–D.J. Jones duo.
Roach’s Saints function did not change tons all through his four-season Louisiana run. Starting five video games in that time, Roach worked primarily as a rotational shielding lineman. Payton used to be in region when the Saints signed Roach as a UDFA; the Texas alum has only played for the Saints. Roach will join ex-college teammates Caden Sterns, P.J. Locke and Brandon Jones on Denver’s defense, with Payton also obviously being a acquainted face.
Pro Football Focus seen Roach as a lower-end D-tackle from 2020-22 however seen him as an increased product final year, slotting the four-year veteran simply outside the pinnacle 25 among indoors D-linemen. Roach, 25, totaled a career-high 38 tackles (three for loss) ultimate season while batting down three passes. Roach stands to assist the Broncos in run defense, having logged these numbers ultimate season despite lacking five games. While skewed by using a brutal start, the Broncos’ protection ranked thirtieth against the run ultimate year.
Roach will be a part of a Broncos team that noticed 2022 starter Jonathan Harris hit free agency. Denver has Matt Henningsen nonetheless beneath contract, although 2022 fourth-rounder Eyioma Uwazurike‘s NFL future is in doubt after the playing suspension he acquired final summer.
