Anthony Hill Jr.
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University of Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.
The Denver Broncos made a splash in free agency in 2025 with a pair of signings on defense, handing out $70.5 million to just 2 players in safety Talanoa Hufanga and inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Hufanga earned All-Pro honors. That’s a home run.
Greenlaw got released after 1 season. That’s a bust. He’ll need to be replaced in some manner, soon, and that’s likely the NFL draft.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter’s latest mock draft predicts the Broncos will land a gem in Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., a 6-foot-3, 238-pound 2-time All-American, slotting the Broncos to take Hill in the 2nd round (No. 62 overall).
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared Hill to Super Bowl champion and 11-time NFL All-Pro inside linebacker Bobby Wagner in his pre-draft evaluation.
“Three-down linebacker with the playing demeanor and production of a future Pro Bowler,” Zierlein wrote. “He posted 31.5 TFLs, 17 sacks and eight forced fumbles in his three seasons at Texas, making an impact in every phase. He’s instinctive, athletic and under control, transitioning seamlessly from read to react to finish. He plays with downhill thump to thwart interior blocks and the speed to pursue runners from sideline to sideline. Hill has plus cover talent in man or zone, proven credentials as a blitzer or edge rusher, and finishes plays as a strong, reliable tackler. Consistency and field command make him one of the safer linebackers in the class. His size, speed and versatility allow him to profile as an instant-impact rookie at Mike or Will ‘backer.”
Broncos Signed 2 Linebackers, Cut Dre Greenlaw
The Broncos were the only NFL team not to sign any outside free agents through the 1st 2 weeks of the free agent cycle, but made moves to keep some starters in-house, including inside linebackers Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton.
With Strnad seemingly given starter money, that ushered Greenlaw out the door after 1 disappointing season.
“The Broncos are releasing Dre Greenlaw, per source,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens wrote on his official X account on March 9. “By releasing Dre Greenlaw, Broncos have $4.33M in dead money, but save $6M in cap space.”
“Source: TheBroncos are releasing veteran LB Dre Greenlaw, a big-time physical presence in their defense,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on Monday.
On the same day Greenlaw was officially released by the Broncos, the San Francisco 49ers signed their former inside linebacker to a 1-year, $7.5 million contract.
“Reunion: The49ers are signing back one of their former stars, agreeing to terms with LB Dre Greenlaw, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account. “The former SF draft pick spent last season with theBroncos and now returns on a 1-year, $7.5M deal.”
Dre Greenlaw Disappointed Broncos From the Jump
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine put Greenlaw at the top of his list of possible salary cap casualties for the Broncos this offseason after he missed 9 regular-season games due to injuries or suspension.
“The Broncos are in a nice spot financially so they don’t have to get too ruthless to clear space.” Ballentine wrote. “However, it’s worth revisiting the Dre Greenlaw signing. The Broncos inked him to a three-year, $31.5 million contract, but they’ve left themselves wiggle room to get out of it. The signing was a bet that Greenlaw could put his injury issues behind him, but that wasn’t the case.”