Denver announced on May 31 it signed outside linebacker Dasan McCullough as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 NFL Draft. The move adds a raw edge‑rusher to a group anchored by veterans and reflects head coach Sean Payton’s knack for finding under‑the‑radar talent. In an era where the NFL is increasingly dominated by the “edge” as the most valuable defensive asset, the Broncos are playing a high-reward, low-risk game by targeting a player with a high athletic ceiling who slipped through the cracks of the seven-round draft process.
McCullough, a 31‑year‑old former Miami (OH) standout, joins a Broncos defense that ranked in the top five against the pass last season. While his path to the active roster is steep, the front office sees upside in his athleticism and a possible practice‑squad role. The signing isn’t just about immediate depth; it’s about the long-term trajectory of a defensive unit that has transitioned from a rebuilding phase into a legitimate powerhouse. By adding a developmental project like McCullough, Denver is insulating itself against the volatility of the edge position, where injuries often derail season-long schemes.
At Miami (OH), McCullough posted 9.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in his senior year, earning All‑MAC second‑team honors. Those numbers rank among the top edge prospects still on the board, giving Denver a cheap lottery ticket on a player with proven production. His collegiate tape suggests a player who relies heavily on a powerful first step and a natural instinct for the quarterback’s blind side, though his experience was largely against Mid-American Conference competition. The transition to the NFL requires a significant jump in hand-fighting technique and the ability to shed blockers who possess far more mass and strength than those he faced in the MAC.
Denver finished 2025 with a 4.2 yards‑per‑pass‑play allowance, fourth best in the league, underscoring why any fresh pass‑rusher matters for maintaining that elite status. In the modern NFL, maintaining a sub-4.5 YPP average requires a relentless rotation of fresh legs. When a defense can keep its primary edge rushers fresh for the fourth quarter, it prevents the late-game offensive surges that often define close contests. McCullough represents the “bottom-of-the-roster” insurance policy that allows a coaching staff to be more aggressive with their primary starters.
What does the Broncos’ recent draft history reveal?
In recent drafts, Denver has consistently targeted defensive playmakers in the middle rounds, often supplementing them with undrafted signings to fill depth. This strategy mirrors the “build from the edges” philosophy seen in successful franchises like the Philadelphia Eagles or the Kansas City Chiefs, where the priority is to secure a surplus of pass-rushing talent. The franchise’s last three drafts produced at least one Pro Bowl defender, and the pattern shows a willingness to develop raw talent through the coaching staff‑s mentorship. This developmental pipeline is critical for a team operating under a strict salary cap, as finding a rotational starter in the UDFA class can save millions in cap space that can then be allocated to the offensive side of the ball.
Key details of McCullough’s signing
According to Sporting News, Payton once coached McCullough’s brother Deland at Miami (OH), giving the veteran a personal connection that helped seal the deal. This familial link is more than just a sentimental touch; in the high-pressure environment of an NFL training camp, having a coach who trusts a player’s character and work ethic based on family history can accelerate the onboarding process. Payton, known for his meticulous attention to detail and demanding standards, likely sees a similar drive in Dasan that he witnessed in Deland.
The linebacker‑s contract is a standard three‑year UDFA agreement with a modest signing bonus, and he will compete for a spot on the practice squad where his odds are ‑“above‑average.” The Broncos‑rush depth chart already features three proven starters, pushing McCullough to the bottom of the hierarchy. However, the nature of the UDFA contract means he is a low-risk investment. If he fails to adapt to the speed of the professional game, the financial hit to the team is negligible. If he develops into a special teams ace or a situational rusher, the value provided relative to his cost is astronomical.
McCullough’s raw tools and NFL Draft context
During the NFL Draft process, McCullough impressed scouts with a 4.71‑second 40‑yard dash and a 36‑inch vertical, numbers that rank in the upper‑third for edge players this year. These metrics are indicative of an explosive athlete capable of closing the gap between himself and the quarterback rapidly. The numbers reveal a burst that could translate into quick first‑step moves off the line, which is the most critical physical trait for a speed rusher in the NFL. ESPN noted his pass‑rush moves were fluid, though his hand technique needs polishing. In the NFL, “fluidity” is a starting point, but “leverage” is where games are won. McCullough will need to spend significant time with the Broncos’ defensive line coaches to learn how to fight through the punch of veteran offensive tackles.
Key Developments
- McCullough signed his UDFA contract on May 31, 2026, the day after the NFL Draft concluded.
- He will report to rookie minicamp on June 5, where coaches will evaluate his pass‑rush moves and his ability to take direction in a professional environment.
- Denver‑s current edge‑rush rotation includes three players with a combined 45.2% sack rate, limiting immediate playing time for newcomers. This elite efficiency rate means that for McCullough to crack the rotation, he must provide something the current starters cannot—likely a specific speed-rush element or an exceptional ability to play on special teams.
Impact and what’s next for Denver
While McCullough is unlikely to see the field this season, his presence adds competition and provides Payton with a developmental project that could pay dividends in future free‑agent windows. The NFL is a league of attrition, and the value of a “developmental” player becomes apparent in Week 12 when injuries begin to mount. If he lands on the practice squad, the Broncos retain a low‑cost option to plug into special teams or rotate in on late‑game blitz packages where raw speed can occasionally catch a tired offensive line off guard. Should he exceed expectations, the move could free up cap space for a mid‑season defensive upgrade by eliminating the need to sign an expensive veteran stop-gap.
Denver‑s scouting department has a reputation for turning small‑budget signings into contributors; the numbers from past undrafted successes suggest McCullough could follow that path if he refines his technique. By focusing on the “intangibles”—work ethic, coachability, and athletic upside—the Broncos are betting that the environment created by Sean Payton will be the catalyst that turns a MAC standout into an NFL contributor. The goal for McCullough is simple: survive the first cut, dominate the practice squad, and make himself indispensable through sheer effort and incremental improvement.
How is Sean Payton connected to Dasan McCullough?
Payton coached Dasan’s brother Deland at Miami (OH), creating a familial link that influenced the Broncos’ decision to sign Dasan. This personal history provides a level of trust and familiarity that is often missing in UDFA signings.
What are the Broncos’ chances of keeping McCullough beyond his first year?
Because the team already boasts a strong edge‑rush corps, McCullough‑s best chance is a practice‑squad role; however, his “above‑average” odds of making that squad give him a realistic path to a second‑year contract if he shows progress.
Why does Denver still need an edge‑rusher despite depth?
Even with three starters, depth is vital for injury mitigation and special‑teams contributions. Adding a raw talent like McCullough ensures the Broncos can rotate fresh legs and maintain pass‑rush pressure throughout games, preventing offensive lines from gaining an advantage in the fourth quarter.
Will McCullough’s NFL Draft metrics affect his role?
His 4.71‑second 40‑yard dash and 36‑inch vertical place him in the upper‑third of edge prospects, giving coaches a measurable upside to develop during rookie minicamp. These numbers suggest he has the raw speed necessary to compete at the professional level.
How does this signing fit into Denver’s overall post‑draft strategy?
The Broncos have a track record of using undrafted free agents to fill depth; McCullough‑s low‑cost contract aligns with that strategy while adding a player who could grow into a rotational piece, allowing the team to maintain a high-caliber defense without overspending on the salary cap.
