The 2011 NFL Draft will always be one of my favorites. That’s the draft class that consisted of Cam Newton, Julio Jones, J.J. Watt, A.J. Green, Andy Dalton, Mark Ingram, Cameron Jordan, Patrick Peterson, and Randall Cobb. Also in this drafted class, a guy named Von Miller from Texas A&M was the second overall pick behind Cam Newton. When he was drafted, he had an immediate impact right away on the Broncos defense. Von finished 2011 with twenty-nine quarterback hurries, nineteen quarterback hits, and eleven sacks. He was named the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Since then, he’s become a star in this league and a larger-than-life personality. His teammates have loved playing with him. Today, the day before the trade deadline, he’s the first big name to be moved! The Denver Broncos have agreed to trade him to the Los Angeles Rams for a pair of late-round draft picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
For those of you who have followed me over the years, I’ve raved about this man. As a former defensive player, I can appreciate a good defender. Von has been considered one of the best defensive players in the league since becoming a professional. The first thing you notice is the first step. It’s lethal and has been what sets him apart from others playing the outside linebacker position. If you want to be a successful pass rusher, you must have that first step off the snap of the football. What I’ve admired about his game is how he can use his body in a variety of ways to get past blockers. I’ve seen him dip underneath people, run through people with a pure bullrush or he uses speed. Von doesn’t just rely on one thing to be successful. It’s the ability to mix things up and get home to the quarterback. Also, it’s the footwork for me. Even if he were undersized playing his position, he would still succeed because of the footwork he displays. The lowest man always wins and he’s always low when on the field.
This is something to get the people talking! The Rams are in win now mode and this piece may just put them over the top in an NFC that has been crowded at the top with Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Dallas, Arizona, and these Rams. This move gives the Rams a big three on defense. Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and now Von Miller. I feel for any offense that must prepare against this Rams defense now. You have two dominant forces in the defensive front and a shutdown cornerback in the backend. Unbelievable.
