I’ll split up the outside linebackers and inside linebackers into two separate days. Those positions differ, and there’s enough to say about the outside linebacker spots to fill up one post.

Robert Ayers, the second of Denver’s two first-round picks, seems a safe bet to start somewhere on defense. He made the quickest strides among the rookies in minicamps, and the team seemed ready to make outside linebacker his primary position. Ayers’ situation can change – Denver also needs it solidify its defensive line, and Josh McDaniels has never said Ayers is a full-time linebacker. In fact, whenever asked McDaniels has said Ayers can play either position. Ayers was still lining up at end in some passing situations in the final minicamps, although he spent almost all of his time in base defensive sets at linebacker. The best bet is Ayers plays mostly outside linebacker in training camp, and earns a starting job. It’s possible with a poor first NFL training camp he could lose ground, but his progress in May and June, his lofty draft status and the fact that his competition is almost entirely converted 4-3 defensive linemen should give him an inside track. He’s not a sack artist, having amassed only nine in his college career including three as a senior, but is athletic and should be able to do whatever the Broncos need from him.

With Boss Bailey off the roster and Wesley Woodyard practicing inside, Denver doesn’t have many natural outside linebackers playing that spot. Darrell Reid, Elvis Dumervil and Tim Crowder appear to be the top candidates other than Ayers at outside linebacker. Reid is making the most interesting conversion, because the 288-pounder is moving from defensive tackle. He spent plenty of time with the starting defense at outside linebacker in offseason practices. Outside linebackers need to rush the quarterback, and Dumervil can do that. He is a natural 4-3 end that has never played outside linebacker, but he has natural pass-rush ability with 26 sacks in three NFL seasons. He might not be polished at his new position, but the Broncos will utilize his strengths. Crowder, a 2007 second-round pick who showed some promise as a rookie but bottomed out with just four tackles in a disappointing second season, seems to have taken well to the switch from defensive end to outside linebacker and will compete for a role.

Jarvis Moss, a 2007 first-round pick, is a wild card. He is a former first-round pick, but has only three-and-a-half sacks in two seasons. He also didn’t work much with the first or second team base defensive units in minicamps. The new regime didn’t draft him, so Moss will have to make an impression in camp.

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