With the 156th pick in the 2019 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos selected Oregon linebacker Justin Hollins in the fifth round.
Hollins (6-5, 248 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 25 times at the combine earlier this offseason. He spent some time at defensive end in college but will likely play as an outside linebacker in Denver’s 3-4 defense.
During his time with the Ducks, Hollins totaled 184 tackles (including 36 tackles for losses) and 14 sacks.
The Broncos are clearly sticking to their board because inside linebacker was a bigger need than outside linebacker. Hollins will complete with Jeff Holland for the team’s rotational pass rusher position behind starters Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.
Hollins is the fifth player Denver has drafted this year, joining tight end Noah Fant, offensive lineman Dalton Risner quarterback Drew Lock and defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones.
The team originally had another fifth-round pick that was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a sixth-round pick and linebacker Dakota Watson. The Broncos now have two draft picks remaining: Nos. 212 (sixth round) and 237 (seventh round).
