Here's why Josey Jewell is poised to step forward at inside linebacker

Big things were expected from Josey Jewell when the Broncos drafted him two years ago. His fourth-round status belied terrific film, especially working in the box. His leadership skills, intelligence and proficiency at diagnosing plays as they developed allowed him to leave Iowa with a bushel of awards and status as a unanimous All-America selection.

It hasn’t quite worked out as expected.

Two years into his career, Jewell went into training camp as the clear No. 3 inside linebacker. Todd Davis continued to hold down one starting role; Alexander Johnson surpassed Jewell early last season for the other spot. While Jewell has shown flashes, he has also endured struggles in coverage.

Perhaps too much was expected based off his brilliant Hawkeyes years. Or maybe Jewell, like so many other players to come into the NFL since time immemorial, just needed time to adjust and find his footing at the game’s highest level.

So when Jewell met local media for a Zoom conference call, it was worth asking this question: If you could go back to the months before the 2018 NFL Draft and offer some advice to yourself, what would you say?

“That’s a great question,” Jewell said as he pondered the topic.

The answer was simple, yet detailed.

“I think it’s [to] just relax when you’re out there and play like any other game,” he said. “Early on in the first year and into the second a little bit, there’s some nerve-wracking stuff. You have anxiety going along with the games. When you’re in a system for a while, you start to relax, and not in a bad way. You start to relax and let things flow. You can run as fast as you want, and you can just play ball.

“I think I was doing that really well in college and I’m still transitioning right now. I need to be able to mentally let that go and mentally just play football again. I think that’s coming along this year pretty well.”

Jewell did not spell it out like Aaron Rodgers once did, but the point was clear nonetheless: to get to where he could simply play, rather than worry about the tumult that swirls around during every snap.

Experience — both in the NFL and in Vic Fangio’s scheme — made that possible.

“It’s easier to pick up things and not be so hesitant,” Jewell said. “I think I’ve been playing faster, and that’s a thing that last year I was playing a little slow with the mental part of the game and not letting myself get going.

“I think this year, I’ve been able to get a lot better at that and just be able to fly around the football and not think about it too much.”

Jewell cited a specific example of this.

“Just understanding that one play you’ve got outside leverage and one play you’ve got inside leverage, and really where your help is at whether it be on a run play, gapping out or whether it be on a pass play where you have help—if you have quarters [coverage] help deep, if you have half help deep, or you can push it into another free player in man [coverage],” he explained. “That’s the things I’ve been working on. Really being able to understand it in the second year, and I’m excited for it.”

Fangio has noticed a difference.

“I think he’s had a good camp so far,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. “He’s showing the benefit of being here a second year. The system hasn’t changed much. He’s a smart player to begin with. When he knows more of all the fine things, he’s one of those players that can put it to good use.”

Jewell knows these things. Now he’s applying them to the point where he doesn’t have to think about them; they become habit. That will free him up to just play.

The Broncos will feel the absence of Davis. But in the interim, they might find that Jewell is ready to become the linebacker they believed he would be.