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Why Malcolm Roach is the Broncos’ Best-Kept Secret on Defense
The Denver Broncos run defense was not very good last season and one of their priorities this offseason was to improve that unit. One of the additions they made to do that was signing former Saints defensive lineman Malcolm Roach to a two-year deal. He is a 6-3, 290-pound interior defensive lineman who is known as a run-stopping specialist.
Roach went undrafted during the 2020 NFL Draft and signed with the New Orleans Saints where he would play through the 2023 season. During his four-year stint with the Saints, Roach was primarily a backup/rotational player who played in 41 games during his career which includes 5 starts. During his four seasons with the Saints, Roach totaled 90 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 7 quarterback hits, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception. This past season for the Saints, Roach played in 12 games and totaled 38 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, and 1 quarterback hit.
Now Roach joins a Broncos run defense where he has a chance to earn a starting job or at the very least, be a valuable rotational run defender. The Broncos’ run defense was dreadful last season so hopefully the addition of Roach and others will be beneficial to the defense.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 290 pounds
Age: 26 years old
Experience: 5 seasons
2023 stats: He played in 12 games, and totaled 38 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 pass deflections.
How defensive lineman Malcolm Roach fits with the Denver Broncos
He will be a run specialist who potentially can earn a starting spot along the Broncos defensive line. We could see him push D.J. Jones for his starting job or we could see both on the field in short-yardage situations. Either way, we should see him on the field on run-downs in some capacity.
Roach should help the Broncos on the field but he appears to be helping the Broncos off the field as well. Head coach Sean Payton told reporters that Roach is a “glue guy” in the locker room and praised him for being a good teammate and someone who can play multiple positions.
“I think he loves playing. He really does. He’s effective as a player, and it’s kind of contagious. He’s a really good teammate and someone that can play multiple positions. There are certain guys that are ‘glue’ guys in a locker room, and he’s one of those guys. He had to steal first base. He was an undrafted free agent. He wasn’t born on third base. He had to make it. He’s a guy that appreciates every day, and his teammates quickly—I talked to a few of the others guy that have been here, and very quickly he acclimated himself. I would say he endears himself to his teammates, and I think that’s a good trait.”
Safety Brandon Jones, who was a free signing by the Broncos this offseason was teammates with Roach in college at Texas. He praised his vocal leadership qualities and said that every time he is on the field, Roach “he goes 100 miles an hour every time” and that he “really brings that juice”
ety Brandon Jones, who was a free signing by the Broncos this offseason was teammates with Roach in college at Texas. He praised his vocal leadership qualities and said that every time he is on the field, Roach “he goes 100 miles an hour every time” and that he “really brings that juice”.
“Malcolm has honestly been the same since we were freshmen in college. He definitely has vocal leadership qualities. He’s a guy that keeps everybody and holds everybody accountable. He goes 100 miles an hour every time he’s on the field and just really brings that juice.”
While Roach was not a sexy or big flashy signing by the Broncos, he may end up being a crucial player for the team this season and potentially beyond. What he does on the field is important, but if he can be a locker room leader for the team, that is huge. The team has lost a number of key leaders on the defensive side of the ball in the past few seasons. Justin Simmons, who was a captain and team leader was released this offseason, and Kareem Jackson, a fiery veteran and team leader are no longer with the team. These roles need to be replaced in the locker room and could Roach be that guy? We shall see, but the hope is he can be a dominant run defender and potentially a team leader.
Final Thoughts
I am not sure if Roach will earn a starting job or not this summer, but he will be a key rotational player for them at the very least. It is possible he can replace D.J. Jones as the starting nose tackle or come in from John Franklin-Myers in short-yardage situations. Head coach Sean Payton mentioned his versatility so we could see him play multiple roles for the Broncos this upcoming season.
The Broncos need a better run defense this upcoming season because the performance we saw last season was unacceptable. Teams could run on them at will and it really hurt them down the stretch. Hopefully, Roach and the other additions they have made to the defense can help the Broncos run defense perform better this upcoming season.
