Shaquil Barrett is top pass-rushing OLB of NFL preseason

Simply stated, the Denver Broncos are bursting with big-time talent. Especially when it comes to rushing the quarterback.

To start, there’s Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware as the first-string playmakers and even at the age of 33, Ware’s got the speed to run around a tackle and sack Colin Kaepernick for a safety.

Behind them, first-round draft pick Shane Ray and last year’s practice squad player Shaquil Barrett are making many plays, too.

In fact, Barrett has shown up three straight weeks for the Broncos, making plays all over the football field. Most of them occurring behind the line of scrimmage.

According to Pro Football Focus, Barrett has hit the quarterback more times than any other 3-4 OLB in the preseason.

Shaquil Barrett leads all 3-4 OLBs this preseason with five QB hits, all of which came from the left side. pic.twitter.com/SGgJbxeHxy

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) August 30, 2015

In Denver’s first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, Barrett enjoyed a night with four tackles, one sack and four QB hits. Look at him (No. 48 on the left side) pounce on Seahawks quarterback Tavaris Jackson.

In Week 2 of the preseason versus the Houston Texans, there was Barrett, blowing by another offensive tackle for another sack. He enjoyed to QB hits in that contest.

Against the San Francisco 49ers last night, the former Colorado State Rams standout put up three tackles including one for a loss, this devastating tackle on former Australian National Rugby League player Jerryd Hayne.

The 22-year old is making it look too easy, and he’s making the decision difficult of whether Denver should keep him on the active roster or place him on the practice squad for a second straight season.

Why have we seen such a great improvement out of Barrett compared to last year? Read our exclusive interview with him from training camp here. In it, he talks about learning a great deal from Miller and Ware and trying to emulate them in multiple ways.

If we had to guess, Barrett will make the Broncos active roster this year.