Tenacious Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller is the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, going to John Fox and the new-look Denver Broncos a year after picking up 10.5 sacks, even while fighting an ankle injury, as a senior with the Aggies. He combines major size with unbelievable speed. ESPN’s immediate comparisons are to Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas.
Current St. Louis Rams Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels, former Denver Broncos head coach, was perhaps less likely than most coaches to go after a defensive player in the first round, so the Broncos have a lot of catching up to do.
Miller peaked with 17 sacks as a junior at Texas A&M, and won the Butkus award in 2010 for his play at linebacker. He’s the kind of player the Broncos will be able to plug into their defense system immediately, and the kind of rookie out of which they should be expecting big things. Quarterbacks will have to pay attention to him as soon as the 2011 NFL preseason, should it actually happen.