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NFL Free Agent Profile: Kiko Alonso, LB, Miami

Dennis Best Avatar
February 12, 2017

 

Throughout the offseason, we’ll be profiling players who may end up in Denver when all is said and done with NFL free agency. The Broncos clearly have plenty of holes to fill before they get back to Super-Bowl form and we’ll be examining a long list of players they may choose to help the franchise do just that.

The Denver Broncos have seen their fair share of ups and downs over the course of the last two seasons, but one thing has always been constant—a stellar defense. In 2015, the Orange & Blue seemed unstoppable but did take a dip in 2016, most notably in the middle of the field with the departure of linebacker Danny Trevathan. That’s where the help of veteran linebacker Kiko Alonso could come into play.

Alonso, a fourth-year starter, will be hitting the free-agent market come March and would make an immediate impact for the Mile High Crew if he were to find his way to Denver; he would also help alleviate the pressure on first-year defensive coordinator Joe Woods. No. 47 is coming off his best season to date with 69-solo tackles, four fumble recoveries, and two interceptions with one returned for a touchdown.

Here is what you can expect from Alonzo if he suits up for the Broncos.

Strengths

At 6-foot-3, 238 pounds, the lean linebacker from Oregon is a complete ball hawk and has the ability to keep up with slot receivers, even notching seven career interceptions. In his rookie year of 2016, Alonso had four picks in his first 12 games of the season and was shooting for the all-time record for a linebacker which still stands at seven. The former Duck also has a knack for finding the end zone; Alonso has two defensive touchdowns in his short three-year career, which would benefit the Orange & Blue after scoring four times on the defensive side of the ball in 2016.

Weaknesses

With his stature being so lean, Alonso is a bit of a defensive back/linebacker hybrid. His frame and position have caused injuries in the past and could be an issue in the future for the rising star. Alonso had surgery in 2016 to repair a broken thumb and has successfully recovered from two ACL tears in his time in college and the pros.

How he fits in Denver

Coming into the Denver locker room, Alonso would already have the upper hand seeing as his defensive coordinator in Miami was Vance Joseph, the new head coach here in Denver. “Goldilocks” could be a tremendous benefit for young players such as Todd Davis and Cory Nelson to show them exactly what Joseph expects from his linebackers come the regular season.

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