Denver Broncos Player Profile: Derek Wolfe
When the Denver Broncos drafted Derek Wolfe in the second round, they thought they were getting a good player who could come in and contribute right away. They may have severely underestimated the rookie defensive lineman from Cincinnati. Wolfe was drafted as a defensive tackle and now, with the injury to Jason Hunter, is on track to be the opening day starter at defensive end. It’s too bad that Hunter got hurt; you never want to lose good football players but this move was going to happen at some point. Wolfe has been that good in training camp, but who is he?
Wolfe is a coach’s dream; he sleeps, eats, and lives football. He’s almost the defenses version of Peyton Manning in terms of their love for the game. In a recent interview with the Denver Post, Wolfe talks about his unique approach to the game:
It’s just football man, I’m just trying to play hard. I just want to win games, play hard and do good.
Wolfe is playing hard and you can make the argument that he has been the best defensive player in training camp. He wins every one-on-one battle and is consistently in the offensive backfield. That dominance carried over from the practice field to the game with the Chicago Bears last week. Wolfe registered two sacks in his first NFL game and was almost impossible to block.
The rookie will get even a longer look on Saturday night versus the Seattle Seahawks, when he lines up as the starter at defensive end opposite of Elvis Dumervil. With his work ethic and love of the game, he may be there for a very long time. Von Miller often refers to himself and Dumervil as Batman and Robin. They may have to make room in that club for Derek Wolfe. The Broncos had one of the best pass rushes in the league last season and it just got better.
The Denver Broncos were criticized by some for passing on the so-called bigger names on the defensive line in the draft, but no one is questioning that pick today. Wolfe, however, doesn’t care what people think. He just wants to play football.
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