Denver Broncos: Mathias Kiwanuka a Tailor-Made Fit

Per a report from ESPN’S Dan Graziano, the New York Giants released veteran outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka Tuesday. The official reason listed is a failed physical, but the more likely reason he was released was that his performance had tailed off the last several years on the field. That and the close to $4 million dollars the Giants will save in cap space. The good news for Kiwanuka is that there is a team in desperate need of a veteran presence at outside linebacker: The Denver Broncos.

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) reacts after a sack in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos are strong in many areas of their team, but outside linebacker is not one of them. Other than Von Miller, they really don’t have a consistent pass rushing threat from the outside linebacker position. DeMarcus Ware spent 2014 at defensive end in the team’s 4-3 and did total 10.0 sacks, but he now has 10 seasons under his belt.

Other than the previously mentioned Miller, the Broncos didn’t get much pressure from their linebacking core in 2014. Danny Trevathan, Brandon Marshall and the rest of the group combined for less than 4.0 sacks last year, mainly due to injuries. They need a bigger pass rushing presence from the edge and Kiwanuka can be that player.

Kiwanuka has a history of being fairly consistent at playing at a high level on both running and passing downs, and his long arms are well-known for batting down balls when he couldn’t get to the quarterback directly. He has enough size, speed and length to cover players in the passing game and was asked to do so earlier in his career when he played linebacker for the Giants due to them being fairly stacked at the defensive end position. He thrived in the role, recording two interceptions in his first year for the Giants from the outside linebacker position.

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It was obvious Giants coach Tom Coughlin was disappointed to have to let him go. Kiwanuka was always a leader on the field for the Giants, evidenced by Coughlin’s praise for him in a press release about Kiwanuka’s departure mentioned in Graziano’s report: “He was always prepared and always in outstanding condition and played very hard. And he had some nasty in him. I always felt like you could count on certain things from him: eight [or] nine sacks, harass the quarterback, and you could move him around, inside, outside. He is dependable, reliable and there is no question about his professionalism. His character and professionalism and serious approach to the game will be missed.”

Kiwanuka is coming off a quiet year in 2014 for the G-Men. He only recorded 2.5 sacks with two forced fumbles, but he missed five games and played on a team that was collectively bad on defense. A fresh start on a team that has several other play makers is just the thing that could spark a guy like Kiwanuka. He is only one season removed from a decent six-sack season where he played all 16 games. Putting him into the rotation with Marshall would keep them both fresh and would give the Broncos a much better duo to compliment Miller.

If needed, Kiwanuka could be a spot player at defensive end, and has shown he is comfortable in either role. While he is probably better suited at the outside linebacking position for the Broncos, injuries happen, and having a guy that can play more than one role on the field is huge in the NFL. Kiwanuka is the definition of a hybrid front-seven defender.

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin reacts while wearing a NYPD cap against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Eagles defeated the Giants 34-26. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

“He is dependable, reliable and there is no question about his professionalism. His character and professionalism and serious approach to the game will be missed.” -Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin

The best part of the equation is that it probably wouldn’t cost the Broncos a ton of money to bring Kiwanuka in. He played for about $1.5 million in 2014, and with nine years under his belt would have to be realistic both in regards to his value and recent production. A similar contract in 2015 for the Broncos would not prevent them from exploring younger options in the draft as well. Outside linebacker and defensive end are definite need positions in 2015 for Denver.

The Broncos could use a guy like Kiwanuka, who brings Super Bowl winning experience, leadership and tenacity to the field. If available at the right price, he could be a building block to a successful year for the Broncos.

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