Denver Broncos roster review: OLB Dasan McCullough

While the entirety of the Denver linebacker room may be the weakest part of the defense, most of that blame can be directed to what’s happening on the interior as their outside linebackers have been one of the best parts about the defense and they come with a great amount of depth.

The Broncos’ OLB group will remain constant in 2026 with both the starters (Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto) and their backups (Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman) locked down through at least 2027 (besides Tillman). And then there’s Que Robinson who has shown a ton of promise. So with these names, there’s not too much space left on the roster, but Dasan McCullough might have what it takes to make an impact.

McCullough, whose father and grandfather both played in the NFL as running backs before becoming coaches, comes from a family that is all about football, and this has clearly had an impact on how he sees the game. He has been touted by scouts for his high football IQ and instincts that follow.

McCullough, who has spent time with Indiana, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, has had a near-immediate impact on each of those teams and will seek to continue that trend this offseason.

Age: 23 | Experience: R | College: Nebraska | Height: 6’5” | Weight: 240 pounds

Arm Length: 33-7/8” | Hand Size: 9-3/8” | Vertical: 36” | Broad Jump: 10’-3”

40-Yard Dash: 4.59 seconds | 3-Cone: 7 seconds | Shuttle: 4.52 seconds

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While it might be the inside linebacker group that struggles in pass protection, especially against tight ends, McCullough can aid them as an outside guy. In college the incredibly athletic linebacker has spent a ton of time in a hybrid position, especially at Oklahoma where he played a mix of linebacker and safety. That season he would record 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. And when he was a true freshman he was playing on the ball and racked up 49 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks, which would earn him an All-Big Ten honorable mention.

It’s also his frame and mobility that lends to the belief of him being able to fit in on any modern defense. And with Vance Joseph usually running a good mix of defensive looks, McCullough could be a versatile guy that can fit in with that scheme.

Of course, McCullough is not the perfect prospect though. Some struggles include relying on his athleticism as a pass rusher and not having a refined technique, a lack of consistently shedding blocks against teams that like to run the ball, and missing open field tackles. The good news is that these are all techniques that can be coached into him. The only thing that would be left is putting on some more weight as he may struggle against NFL offensive linemen at just 240 pounds.

There is always a demand for young, smart, and athletic talent, especially when it comes to filling up depth spots on the roster. Given what McCullough brings to the table, there is a legitimate chance that he can make this team, and if not the 53-man roster, then the practice squad.