Throughout the Broncos tumultuous first-year under head coach Vic Fangio there have been several encouraging developments, including breakout seasons from Justin Simmons and Courtland Sutton. But no player has surprised quite like undrafted linebacker Alexander Johnson.



Johnson took over one of the starting inside linebacker jobs in Week 5 against the Chargers and has been one of the team’s best defenders, currently grading out as the No. 1 linebacker (minimum 50 percent of snaps played) this season per Pro Football Focus.



Before earning a starting role, Johnson went through a rollercoaster of a journey. During his senior year at the University of Tennessee, where he totaled 425 career tackles, he was accused of aggravated rape and indicted months later. After a lengthy trial, he was acquitted in July 2018, roughly three and a half years after he played his last college snap. After a long hiatus from football, it was uncertain if any NFL team would consider...