Malcolm Roach can be himself in Denver, and that has made all the difference.
On pace to have his best year as a pass rusher and a run stopper, the defensive tackle has proven to be a valuable offseason addition for the Broncos, and he credits his success to defensive coordinator Vance Joseph tapping into what he does best.
“I’m having more of a complete year,” Roach said. “When I first came in, (Joseph) told me ‘We are gonna let you be you.’ He understood my personality (and) certain things I do…Honestly, I feel like it’s been a great match.”
In Roach’s fifth season in the league, the undrafted free agent has 29 tackles in 328 defensive snaps — a career-high. While players like Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen and Jonathon Cooper have been credited for Denver’s dominance as a pass rush unit, Roach has made a steady impact, totaling eight pressures and a career-best 2.5 sacks, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
Roach said Joseph has done a good job at putting him and other defenders in one-on-one situations so that they can attack the quarterback.
As a run defender, Roach has been effective at fitting gaps and slowing down opponents’ rushing attacks. He has 23 run tackles and nine run stuffs (tackles resulting in no gain or loss), according to Next Gen Stats, one shy of his career-high of 10. The Broncos have allowed just 2.9 rushing yards per play when Roach is on the field.
He has even showcased his ability to make plays on the ball.
During last month’s win over the Saints, Roach dropped into coverage and broke up quarterback Spencer Rattler’s first-down pass attempt to tight end Juwan Johnson.
“He’s a technician,” Allen said. “His endurance is really up there too and that speaks about how hard he works.”
In the offseason, the Broncos made a handful of changes outside of the quarterback position, which has helped put them in the playoff race through 13 games. Among those moves was signing Roach to a two-year deal, hoping he could help improve a defensive line that was a weak spot on the roster last year.
Roach’s value was magnified during last week’s 29-19 win over the Raiders. With Allen sidelined with a heel injury, Roach made his first start since 2022 and was impactful. He recorded three tackles, a sack and three pressures. He has recorded a sack in two straight games.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton said during Monday’s conference call with reporters that Allen, who wore a walking boot on his right foot while in Vegas, should be fine. However, Payton didn’t specify how long Allen will be unavailable. If his absence turns into multiple weeks, Roach has shown he can hold his own.
“Knowing how long the season is, every game is not going to be (how) you walk out there for the first day of training camp,” Roach said. “You never know when your number is going to be called. We pride ourselves on always being ready.”
Roach’s impact stretches far past his on-field production. Payton expressed how Roach has strengthened the team’s chemistry. From the moment he landed in Denver, he has been a vibrant figure in the locker room, telling funny stories or providing words of wisdom.
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The morning of Denver’s win over the Raiders, Roach delivered a heartfelt message about how this team has the ability to persevere because they’ve battled many ups and downs throughout the season.
“Malcolm was telling us that we have to do this together…That’s the most important thing,” Cooper said.
Roach’s words resonated. And in the second half, the Broncos’ resiliency kicked in. After Denver gave up 13 points in the first half, they only allowed six and recorded five sacks in the final two quarters to secure its first win at Allegiant Stadium since the Raiders relocated to Sin City in 2020.
“It kind of went back to what I (heard) Coach Prime saying. You can’t get fascinated (with success). You gotta stay hungry,” Roach said. “We are trying to stay even keel, stay on this roll, and find ways to win.”
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