ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos added to their linebacking corps as they drafted linebacker Justin Strnad with the 178th-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Strnad, a four-year player at Wake Forest, tallied 244 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, 10 passes defensed and four interceptions in 46 career games.
In 2019, Strnad was an honorable mention All-ACC player and a team captain. While he missed the final six games of the season with a torn right bicep tendon, he recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and an interception in his seven games.
Strnad said Saturday that he was cleared from his injury around the time of February's 2020 NFL Combine.
"I do my think my best football is ahead of me," Strnad said. "I think as far as special teams goes, I played all special teams my first two years of college. I think I'm going to be able to come in right away and help with any special teams [role] they need me to."
As a two-year starter at Wake Forest, the former high school safety averaged nearly nine tackles per game.
"I feel very comfortable in pass coverage," Strnad said. "I played safety in high school, so it's something I've been doing for a long time."
Strnad said he wants to continue to work on his man-to-man coverage, as the Demon Deacons largely played zone.
Strnad joins an inside linebacking group in Denver headed by Alexander Johnson and Todd Davis.
