Broncos linebacker pecking order: Daiyan Henley trade sets up a new three-man rotation

Trade brings coverage help

The Broncos acquired Henley before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, sending the Chargers a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder. General manager George Paton expects Denver to receive a fourth-round compensatory pick for John Franklin-Myers’s free-agent departure.

Henley’s arrival adds a linebacker with coverage ability, but he is not expected to immediately replace Singleton or Strnad as a starter. The Broncos are expected to use all three in a rotation, with playing time shaped by down and distance.

Denver’s coverage concerns

Singleton has played 365 coverage snaps this season, the most among NFL inside linebackers, while Strnad has played 280, the seventh-most among NFL linebackers. The account says neither has performed well in coverage.

The Broncos have allowed tight ends 330 passing yards and three touchdowns over their past three games. Henley could take some of Singleton’s coverage snaps as Denver tries to improve in the middle of its pass defense.

Raiders offer first test

Denver’s bye gives Henley time to learn the playbook before the team’s Week 11 home game against the Raiders. Las Vegas tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer have combined for 1,046 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

Henley brings starting experience

Henley was a Chargers third-round pick in 2023 and has started 41 career games. He is a two-time team captain, wore Los Angeles’s green dot as the defensive signal-caller, and led the Chargers in tackles twice; he was on pace to do so again this year before the trade.

Denver kept linebackers Turner and Reid on the active roster because of their special teams contributions, cutting defensive back Sean Fresch Jr. instead to make room for Henley. Henley begins third on the depth chart, but the Broncos are expected to use him in obvious passing situations.