Austin

Calitro

27-year-old Calitro was dealt to the Broncos last summer and appeared in 13 games. He played all of his 232 snaps on special teams, and that’s where he makes his hay.

A hyped college prospect, injuries prevented Butt’s Broncos career from ever getting off the ground. It’s remarkable he survived in Denver as long as he did. Of Butt’s 10 career receptions, two came in 2020. Four months shy of his 26th birthday, Butt’s NFL future is not bright.

27 next month, Covington has appeared in 66 career games, making 15 starts as a rotational lineman. He has 8.5 career sacks and one forced fumble. Covington played in all 16 games for Dallas last season, getting in on 45% of the defensive snaps. He gives the Bengals some depth after DT Josh Tupou opted out and then Renell Wren was placed on I.R.

It’s a swap of back-of-the-roster players at positions of need for both clubs. 26-year-old Calitro has appeared in 29 games over the last two seasons with the Seahawks and Jaguars, functioning as a sub-package linebacker and special teams maven. The Broncos recently lost rookie LB Justin Strnad for the season to wrist surgery.

Somewhat surprisingly waived by the Jags on Monday, Calitro ended up going to the team with the No. 1 waiver claim. Calitro has started nine games between the Jags and Seahawks over the past two years, and the rebuilding Bengals must like that experience at the end of their roster. Calitro should have a legitimate chance to crack the 53-man roster.

The Jags have also parted with K Jon Brown, OL Donnell Greene, WR Charone Peake and WR/CB Jayson Stanley. They are clearing roster spots for undrafted free agents. Ex-Seahawk Calitro actually made four starts last season, but the Jags were evidently not impressed with what they saw during his 234 snaps. It bodes poorly for 26-year-old Calitro’s future that he was cut loose at this stage of the offseason.

Calitro played in all 16 games last season with five starts, recording 45 tackles. He also was a major contributor on special teams. The move is somewhat surprising, but Calitro’s versatility could certainly garner a second chance elsewhere before too long.

Calitro (6’1/239) was a two-year starter as the Wildcats’ middle linebacker, tallying 26 career tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles and earning first-team All-Colonial Athletic Conference recognition as a senior. Not invited to the Combine, Calitro showed moderate athleticism at Villanova’s Pro Day with 4.67 speed, a 34-inch vertical, and a 6.96 three-cone time. A short, stocky thumper from a small school, Calitro faces an uphill NFL climb that will almost certainly have to begin on special teams.