Broncos have gotten what they hoped to find from Que Robinson

GLENDALE, Ariz. — In June, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph described Que Robinson as a player who “looked like a guy that can be a future starter for us.” And that was after a rookie season in which he played in just seven of a possible 19 games, including postseason.

“He’s ready for the next step as far as playing more defensive snaps and more team snaps,” Joseph added then.

After seven weeks of extended action to open his second season, that assessment appears to be justified.

Robinson’s pass-rush win rate of 15.4 percent is in the top third of edge rushers in the NFL, placing him tied for 22nd among 76 edges with at least 100 pass-rush snaps so far this season, per Pro Football Focus data. His overall pressure rate of 14.6 percent is near the top third, placing him 27th of the 77.

His emergence helped the Broncos withstand the six-game absence of Jonathon Cooper while he was on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. And with Jonah Elliss now on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 15, the Broncos will continue needing Robinson’s snaps.

“I feel like we would definitely say we’ve seen this arrow up with his play and confidence,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

“… I’m really encouraged with the snap counts and then the production you see when he’s playing. I think all of what you’re seeing is what we’re seeing.”

It’s not just what one sees. It’s what Robinson’s production reveals in the data. They’ve found another effective rotational edge rusher, with the potential for more.

In his last eight games dating back to the AFC Championship Game in January, Robinson has three sacks. That’s more than enough for the Broncos to continue turning the page to see where the 2025 fourth-round pick can go.

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