Summary

Dre Greenlaw was selected in Round 5 (#148 Overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of the University of Arkansas. A fast, physical linebacker with SEC pedigree, Greenlaw finished his collegiate career with 191 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 7 passes defended, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors. In the NFL through the 2024 season, he has recorded 500+ career tackles, 25+ tackles for loss, 5+ sacks, multiple interceptions, and forced fumbles, while playing a central role in multiple deep playoff runs and Super Bowl appearances. Greenlaw earned Pro Bowl recognition and is widely respected for his intensity, physicality, leadership, and relentless play style. Coaches consistently praise his preparation, accountability, and emotional tone-setting presence.

Strengths

• Elite Range: Sideline-to-sideline speed and closes space rapidly. Quick diagnosis of run fits and route concepts.

• Sticky for a LB: Comfortable in man and zone and is equally effective vs. RBs and TEs.

• Physicality: Cut from the cloth of Fred Warner, plays with violence and edge and delivers forceful tackles. Strong wrap-up and explosive contact at point of attack.

• Big Play Boomer: Times pressures well and accelerates through gaps. Creates turnovers and negative plays.

Weaknesses

• Durability Concerns: Injury history requires workload monitoring. Greenlaw feels like he is injured more often than not.

• Over-Aggression: Can overrun plays or lose discipline chasing splash plays.

• Block Shedding: Relies on speed more than stack-and-shed power. Best in space and less effective taking on guards downhill, relying on his run clogging DTs to open alleys.

• Unrestrained Emotion: Physical style can lead to late hits or flags. Greenlaw was suspended and fined for chasing and verbally threatening an official in October 2025.

Outlook

Greenlaw was brought in to be an excellent fit in a fast, attacking Broncos linebacker corps that values range, coverage versatility, and physical tone-setting. He profiles best as a WILL linebacker, where he can flow freely, match up in coverage, and attack downhill without being consistently exposed to interior power runs. Pairing Greenlaw with a sturdier MIKE tackle machine like Alex Singleton has allowed Denver to maximize his speed and playmaking while maintaining run-fit integrity. Looking ahead, Greenlaw projects as a high-end starting linebacker with Pro Bowl–level impact when healthy. While durability and emotional discipline are ongoing considerations, his speed, instincts, and competitiveness give him a high ceiling and game-changing potential. In a defensive system that embraces aggression and athleticism, Greenlaw offers difference-making value, leadership, and playoff-tested toughness capable of elevating the entire unit.