Broncos Journal: Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero excited about three free-agent additions

Less than a month after Ejiro Evero was hired as Broncos defensive coordinator in mid-February, a proactive roster-building approach netted him three new contributors: Outside linebacker Randy Gregory, defensive lineman D.J. Jones and cornerback K’Waun Williams.

Evero will get a first look at his defense on the practice field this week when the Broncos hold a three-day voluntary minicamp (Monday-Wednesday).

During a recent phone interview with The Post, Evero provided scouting reports on Gregory, Jones and Williams.

*Gregory will be expected to provide a consistent pass rush opposite Bradley Chubb.

Evero: “He’s a very good athlete and not only that, his athleticism translates to the field and you see the burst and you see the speed, but my favorite thing about Randy is the way he plays the game. There is a physicality and he’s always running and always going 100 mph. His play-style is phenomenal and maybe his best attribute.”

*The anticipation is Jones will improve the Broncos’ run defense and provide an interior pass rush.

Evero: “In our five-man front, he can play over the center (as the nose tackle) and then in our four-man front, he can play over the guard or the center. He’s a guy that is just very versatile and can play those interior spots. I got more of a feel for him just listening to our offensive coaches (at the Los Angeles) Rams and about how many issues they had with him.”

*Williams will play the nickel spot in the Broncos’ sub package, which could be as much as 75% of the snaps.

Evero: “Just a guy that is very, very productive. He has a great feel inside for the coverage, is a physical player, is a good blitzer and is ideally what you want at that position. He has the ability to be half defensive back, half linebacker and do a lot of the jobs that we ask both of those positions to do. He’s a great add for our team.”

Gregory’s rehab. Gregory will be a spectator during the offseason program following shoulder surgery performed after he signed last month.

Asked if Gregory will be ready for training camp in late July, general manager George Paton told The Post: “It will be close, but I do. He’ll be ready for the (regular) season.”

Gregory also had a postseason knee procedure in Dallas.

“We feel good about him,” Paton said. “It was a mutual decision to get the shoulder done. He didn’t need to do it. He, his agent (Peter Schaffer) and our medical team just thought it was best. Clean it up so he’ll be 100% and he won’t have to play through pain.”

Schedule roll out. Some media folks who don’t like good things are panning the NFL office for making the schedule release a multi-week event. Whatever. It’s good for the league and it’s good for the clicks for media outlets like this one. The rollout:

Thursday during first round of draft: Week 2 Thursday night game (which will be Amazon’s debut broadcast).

May 4: International games. The Broncos have expressed their interest in playing Jacksonville in London.

Week of May 9: Select games. I would guess Week 1 prime-time games and Thanksgiving/Christmas schedule.

May 12: Full schedule (6 p.m.).

Samuel requests trade. Add San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel to the list of players seeking a new team, following quarterback Russell Wilson (Seattle to Broncos) and Deshaun Watson (Houston to Cleveland) and receivers Davante Adams (Green Bay to Las Vegas) and Tyreek Hill (Kansas City to Miami).

Jacksonville should make a simple offer: The top overall pick on Thursday night to the 49ers for Samuel contingent on him signing a new contract. He would make a bigger impact this year than any player the Jaguars would pick first.

Hall of Fame changes. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced changes Thursday that will benefit senior candidates, but not former coaches and contributors.

For the 2023, ’24 and ’25 classes, three senior category candidates will gain election, up from one. This is good news for players like former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar.

To help make room for the additional senior candidates, only one coach/contributor will be elected annually in those three years (instead of one coach and one contributor).

The total class will be a maximum of nine (five modern era).

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