Jordan Turner’s uphill tryout: How a Wisconsin and Michigan State linebacker aims to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster

Denver’s linebacker depth chart is always a moving target in the NFL, and the Broncos’ latest competition revolves around Jordan Turner, a prospect with production history at Wisconsin and Michigan State and a path to the league that did not include a draft call. Turner declared for the 2025 NFL Draft and, according to Yahoo Sports, was not selected through seven rounds, shifting his entry into the league to the faster, more uncertain route of signing as an undrafted free agent.

In practical terms, an undrafted rookie often arrives with two simultaneous tasks. First, he has to learn an NFL defense well enough to participate without creating extra teaching loops every practice. Second, he has to show coaches that he can help quickly, because the 53-man roster is built around immediate roster value and special teams capacity as much as raw upside. For a linebacker, that typically means showing gap discipline in run defense, reliable coverage instincts, and a willingness to tackle and finish plays.

Turner’s college background matters because it suggests he has been trusted with defensive responsibilities rather than living only on the margins. The Yahoo Sports report frames his background as a “successful college career” split between Wisconsin and Michigan State, two programs known for developing disciplined, assignment-focused defenders. That matters for any rookie, but it is especially relevant for a linebacker trying to convert college recognition into NFL play recognition, where the windows close quickly and reactions have to be timed to NFL routes and blocking schemes.

The Broncos’ roster squeeze is not unique. NFL teams carry a limited number of linebackers through preseason, and those spots can be influenced by how the staff wants to handle sub packages, injuries, and roster flexibility. Even when a player has the physical tools to be a long-term prospect, the short-term question often becomes where he best contributes immediately, whether that is on special teams units, as a rotational defender, or as a situational coverage option.

The roster picture also depends on how the Broncos sort out the rest of the competition. Some linebackers win roles through athleticism and coverage fit, while others earn spots by being the most dependable on early downs or by performing consistently in contact situations. For Turner, the “crack the roster” challenge is therefore not just about whether he can make plays at all, but whether he can do it repeatedly against NFL-caliber pace and leverage, then translate that work into practice confidence.

There is also the timing element. Undrafted free agents do not usually get the same margin for error that drafted players receive, especially if multiple rookies and veteran depth candidates are competing for the same jobs. That means Turner’s work in offseason and the preseason evaluation period can become a condensed test of fundamentals. If he shows he can be trusted in a defined role, his chances grow. If he is frequently behind assignments or struggles to find a clear lane, the roster math can quickly turn against him.

What to watch next for Denver is straightforward but demanding: how Turner performs in linebacker-specific drills, whether he separates on special teams during the preseason work, and how coaches talk about his grasp of the defense in general. Without confirmed details beyond Turner’s draft status and college background, it is best to treat his roster odds as a competition rather than an outcome. Still, the Broncos do not need Turner to be a starter on day one, they need him to be useful enough to keep.