Malcolm Roach, the Denver Broncos’ defensive tackle, is about to get a whole lot more action on the field this season. This guy came over in 2023 as one of Sean Payton’s crucial pickups, specifically to beef up that run defense, and he’s been an absolute grinder for them. He’s been an excellent rotational interior defensive lineman, always stepping up to deliver quality snaps when it counts. Now, with John Franklin-Myers gone, Roach is staring down the barrel of a significantly bigger workload, and you gotta wonder what that means for the Broncos’ interior D-line.
From Situational Snaps to Full-Time Impact
Let’s be real, you don’t stick around for seven seasons in the NFL without proving your worth. Malcolm Roach is a 6’3″, 290-pound force, still only 24 years old, who played his college ball at Texas. He’s built for the trenches. In 2025, he stacked up some serious numbers for a rotational guy: 41 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 5 QB hits, and a solid 4 sacks. That’s not just run-stuffing; that shows he can get after the quarterback in one-on-one situations, which is crucial when you’ve got pass-rushing beasts like Nik Bonito and Zach Allen drawing all the attention. The guy’s been an impact player, no doubt about it.
What’s Next for Denver’s Interior D?
So, with Franklin-Myers out of the picture, the door is wide open for Roach to expand his role. He’s locked into his contract for at least two more years, so he’s not going anywhere. The big question is whether he can elevate his game with a heavier snap count. The coaching staff is clearly giving him every opportunity to prove he’s ready for that bigger role. While the general take might be a bit “bearish” on him having a full-blown breakout year, you can’t deny the curiosity around what kind of rotation Vance Joseph is going to cook up with these interior linemen. Can Roach turn those quality situational snaps into consistent, every-down impact? If he can, a raise next offseason is definitely on the table. It’s time to see if he can truly own the spotlight.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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