If you read my previous article on the Denver Broncos that I did prior to the draft/free agency I went into detail stating how the team had a solid first year with Bo Nix at the helm, but I was still lukewarm on them heading into next season. As Nix was still far from a generational type of prospect, the team had an embarrassing early loss in the postseason, and they lacked juice offensively. I recently posted another article that went into the detail on the Broncos after the NFL Draft on the offensive side of the ball. Although the Broncos were much more stout defensively this past season, ranking amongst the premier defensive teams in the NFL, I am still going to go into detail in regards to Denver on the defensive end in this article from a post NFL draft perspective.
As stated previously, the Broncos were amongst the premier defensive teams in the NFL this past 2024 season and their 2024 major regular season defensive ranks can be found below.
2024 Broncos Regular Season Defensive Ranks
3rd points per game allowed
7th in yards per game allowed
4th in overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above data, the Broncos defense was amongst the premier units in the NFL this past season, ranking in or around the top 5 in all the major defensive metrics. I have conducted a unit-by-unit analysis of Denver on the defensive side of the ball starting below with their front seven. I have first included the major metrics/statistics that indicate the strength of front seven play.
Broncos 2024 Regular Season Front Seven Defensive Metrics/Statistics
3rd in rushing yards per game allowed
11th in run defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
5th in pass-rush grade according to Pro Football Focus
1st in sacks accumulated
The Broncos had the most sacks and allowed the third fewest rushing yards in the NFL this past season with the front seven being mostly responsible for those two metrics. Listed below is the Broncos’ front seven personnel from the 2024 season with the defense grade that each player was assigned by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season. I have also included my own subjective grade of the player that encompasses how strong of players I deem them to be in totality outside of just the 2024 season. I have first begun with the players who were listed as defensive lineman according to Pro Football Focus this past season, indicating they play on the interior of the defensive front.
Broncos 2024 Defensive Line Personnel
DL1 – Zach Allen – (49/146) defense grade in 964 snaps in 2024, B to B+
DL2 – John Franklin-Myers – (6/146) defense grade in 533 snaps in 2024, B+ to A-
DL3 – Malcolm Roach – (46/146) defense grade in 489 snaps in 2024, B to B+
DL4 – D.J Jones – (47/146) defense grade in 465 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-
DL5 – Jordan Jackson – (135/146) defense grade in 310 snaps in 2024, D+ so far as ’22 6th rd
DL6 – Eyioma Uwazurike – (15/146) defense grade in 63 snaps in 2024, B+ in limited snaps
The Broncos interior defensive line personnel was very stout this past season as they had five guys capable of giving them very strong production. From an interior defensive line standpoint, the Broncos heading into next season will retain all six of these players and have not added any notable new players to the mix. The only notable name that will join this group heading into next season is Matt Henningsen who was cut from the team before the start of last season. Outside of that the Broncos have just added undrafted free agents who are currently listed as defensive lineman. The players who are listed as defensive lineman for the Broncos heading into the 2025 season are listed below.
Broncos Defensive Lineman Heading into 2025 Season
DL1 – Zach Allen – (49/146) defense grade in 964 snaps in 2024, B to B+
DL2 – John Franklin-Myers – (6/146) defense grade in 533 snaps in 2024, B+ to A-
DL3 – Malcolm Roach – (46/146) defense grade in 489 snaps in 2024, B to B+
DL4 – D.J Jones – (47/146) defense grade in 465 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-
DL5 – Jordan Jackson – (135/146) defense grade in 310 snaps in 2024, D+ so far as ’22 6th rd
DL6 – Eyioma Uwazurike – (15/146) defense grade in 63 snaps in 2024, B+ in limited snaps
DL7 – Matt Henningsen – DNP in 2024, C to C+
DL8 – Jordan Miller – DNP in 2024, 0 career snaps, UDFA 2024
DL9 – Kristian Williams – UDFA 2025
The Broncos combination of interior defensive lineman will rank among the better ones in the NFL this upcoming season as they were already that last season and did not lose any players. Denver even has the potential to improve in that regard with the potential emergence of Eyioma Uwazurike who has looked very strong in very limited snaps thus far in the NFL and can potentially emerge as a star in a larger sample size of snaps. I have conducted a similar analysis of the players for the Broncos in 2024 and heading into 2025 who are listed as edge defenders according to Pro Football Focus.
Broncos 2024 Edge Defenders
ED1 – Jonathon Cooper – (34/135) defense grade in 820 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-
ED2 – Nik Bonitto – (21/135) defense grade in 708 snaps in 2024, B
ED3 – Jonah Elliss – (106/135) defense grade in 436 snaps in 2024, C so far as ’24 3rd rd
ED4 – Dondrea Tillman – (31/135) defense grade in 243 snaps in 2024, B so far as ’24 UDFA
ED5 – Baron Browning – (96/135) defense grade in 378 snaps in 2024, C+
As you can see from the above data the players who logged snaps for Denver at the edge rusher position were good but not great. Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto gave the team some good production this past season but both are known to struggle with consistency. Jonah Elliss left much to be desired in his rookie season as a relatively high draft pick being selected in the third round. Elliss was still okay in his time on the field but Denver is optimistic he can continue to improve next season. Dondrea Tillman was a surprise player on the front seven for the Broncos this past season giving the team strong production despite being an undrafted rookie. It remains to be seen how effective he will be going forward for the team, however. Baron Browning has shown a very high ceiling at times in the NFL but struggles with consistency. Heading into next season the team will stay mostly the same from an edge defender standpoint but some key transactions have been made this offseason at the position. Baron Browning has since departed the team to the Arizona Cardinals this offseason. The team has also drafted edge defender Sai’vion Jones in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Outside of that the team has just added insignificant undrafted free agents to the position. The list of the Broncos edge defenders heading into the 2025 season can be found below.
2025 Broncos Edge Defenders
ED1 – Jonathon Cooper – (34/135) defense grade in 820 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-
ED2 – Nik Bonitto – (21/135) defense grade in 708 snaps in 2024, B
ED3 – Jonah Elliss – (106/135) defense grade in 436 snaps in 2024, C so far as ’24 3rd rd
ED4 – Dondrea Tillman – (31/135) defense grade in 243 snaps in 2024, B so far as ’24 UDFA
ED5 – Sai’vion Jones – 2025 3rd round pick
ED6 – Andrew Farmer – DNP in 2024, C to C- in very limited snaps
ED7 – Johnny Walker Jr – 2025 UDFA
The Broncos from an edge defender standpoint are good but still have room for improvement heading into next season. Jonah Elliss who was a relatively highly drafted rookie last season can certainly take a big step forward heading into next season. Dondrea Tillman, who looked very strong as a 2024 undrafted rookie, is in line to improve as well. While the team is also optimistic that 2025 3rd round rookie Sai’Vion Jones can give the team strong production as well. I have conducted a similar analysis of the players that are listed as linebackers according to Pro Football Focus for the Broncos last season and heading into next season as well.
Broncos 2024 Linebackers
LB1 – Cody Barton – (43/92) defense grade in 2024 over 1053 snaps, C to C+
LB2 – Justin Strnad – (78/92) defense grade in 2024 over 676 snaps, C-
LB3 – Alex Singleton – (52/92) defense grade in 2024 over 190 snaps, C+ to B-
LB4 – Kwon Alexander – (1/92) defense grade in 2024 over 65 snaps, C+
LB5 – Kristian Welch – (63/92) defense grade in 2024 over 36 snaps, D+ to C-
LB6 – Levelle Bailey – poor defense grade in 2024 over 7 snaps
LB7 – Drew Sanders – (78/92) defense grade in 2024 over 18 snaps, D+
LB8 – Zach Cunningham – (19/92) defense grade in 2024 over 15 snaps, B
As you can see from the above data the Broncos’ linebacking unit was one of the weak points of the team and was the weak point of an otherwise very strong defense this past 2024 season. Across the board the team saw players produce at an average to a mediocre level and the linebacking unit has already been addressed this offseason cycle by the Denver front office. Linebackers Kristian Welch, Zach Cunningham, and Kwon Alexander have departed the team. While the team made a big splash in free agency signing former 49ers’ star linebacker Dre Greenlaw and the team also drafted linebacker Que Robinson in the 4th round of the 2025 NFL Draft as well. The teams linebacking core heading into next season can be found below.
Broncos Linebacking Unit Heading into 2025
LB1 – Dre Greenlaw – (7/92) defense grade in 2024 over 34 snaps, B+ to A-
LB2 – Cody Barton – (43/92) defense grade in 2024 over 1053 snaps, C to C+
LB3 – Que Robinson – 2025 4th rounder
LB4 – Justin Strnad – (78/92) defense grade in 2024 over 676 snaps, C-
LB5 – Alex Singleton – (52/92) defense grade in 2024 over 190 snaps, C+ to B-
LB6 – Levelle Bailey – poor defense grade in 2024 over 7 snaps
LB7 – Drew Sanders – (78/92) defense grade in 2024 over 18 snaps, D+
LB8 – JB Brown – UDFA 2025
LB9 – Jordan Turner – UDFA 2025
LB10 – Karene Reid – UDFA 2025
Heading into next season the Broncos are optimistic they can see substantial improvement from their linebacking unit from what it was in 2024 where the unit indeed struggled. As aforementioned, they have signed star linebacker Dre Greenlaw and drafted linebacker Que Robinson in the fourth round. They are also optimistic that linebacker Alex Singleton who has a high ceiling but is known to struggle with consistency can have a better year next season. They are also hoping that linebacker Drew Sanders, who was a third round pick a few seasons ago, but has not yet had the chance to come into his own, will finally start to fill his potential being drafted so high. Overall, the Broncos’ linebacking unit was the weakness of the defense this past season and they have made some moves in particular by signing Dre Greenlaw in order to correct the issue. However, outside of Greenlaw the team has not done much to bolster the unit this offseason and if Greenlaw were to go down with injury then Denver is back to where they were this past season from a linebacking standpoint. This is especially concerning when you consider Greenlaw was injured for almost all of last season playing in only 34 snaps in the 2024 campaign for San Francisco. Outside of the Greenlaw addition the Broncos will need young players to step up for them in the unit. Players such as former third rounder Drew Sanders, Alex Singleton who has shown a very high ceiling but who has struggled with consistency which included a down year last season, along with 2024 fourth round rookie Que Robinson. I have conducted a similar evaluation of the Denver secondary which can be found below as well beginning with the cornerback unit. But I first provided Denver’s major secondary statistics/grades from this past regular season.
2024 Broncos Key Regular Season Statistics/Metrics
19th in passing yards per game allowed
7th in coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus
Broncos 2024 Cornerbacks
CB1 – Pat Surtain II – (1/128) defense grade in 2024 over 978 snaps, A to A-
CB2 – JaQuan McMillian – (85/128) defense grade in 2024 over 870 snaps, C+
CB3 – Riley Moss – (78/128) defense grade in 2024 over 836 snaps, C to C+
CB4 – Levi Wallace – (53/128) defense grade in 2024 over 308 snaps, C+ to B-
CB5 – Kris Abrams-Draine – (17/128) defense grade in 2024 over 123 snaps, B+, ’24 5th rd
CB6 – Damarri Mathis – (59/128) defense grade in 2024 over 82 snaps, C to C+
CB7 – Tremon Smith – poor defense grade in 21 snaps in 2024, C
As you can see from the above the Broncos’ cornerback unit was led by Pat Surtain II who is amongst the best defensive players in the sport and who was the highest graded cornerback according to Pro Football Focus this past season. Outside of Surtain, however, the remaining players in the unit produced at an average to a mediocre level for the most part. Heading into next season the team has reason to believe that they can get even better cornerback play next season. The team will retain superstar cornerback Pat Surtain II and they have drafted rookie Jahdae Barron in the first round of the 2025 draft. They are also hopeful that 2024 5th round rookie Kris Abrams-Draine who looked very strong in limited rookie snaps can emerge as a stud for them on the back end. Abrams-Draine played in less than 200 snaps as a rookie but graded well above average in terms of an overall defense grade. If Barron and Abrams-Draine can emerge as consistently very strong players then the Denver starting trio of corners between those two and Surtain II will rank among the best in the NFL and will be a noticeable upgrade from Denver’s starting three corners in 2024. Corners Tremon Smith and Levi Wallace have since departed the team in free agency. The corners that Denver will field heading into the 2025 season can be found below.
Broncos Cornerbacks heading into 2025
CB1 – Pat Surtain II – (1/128) defense grade in 2024 over 978 snaps, A to A-
CB2 – Jahdae Barron – 2025 first rounder
CB3 – JaQuan McMillian – (85/128) defense grade in 2024 over 870 snaps, C+
CB4 – Riley Moss – (78/128) defense grade in 2024 over 836 snaps, C to C+
CB5 – Kris Abrams-Draine – (17/128) defense grade in 2024 over 123 snaps, B+, ’24 5th rd
CB6 – Damarri Mathis – (59/128) defense grade in 2024 over 82 snaps, C to C+
CB7 – Quintin Newsome – UDFA 2024, 0 career snaps
CB8 – Joshua Pickett – UDFA 2025
CB9 – Reese Taylor – UDFA 2023, 0 career snaps
CB10 – Jaden Robinson – UDFA 2025
CB11 – Mario Goodrich – UDFA 2022, poor defense grades throughout career
I have conducted a similar analysis of the Denver safeties from 2024 and heading into 2025 as well which can be found below.
Broncos 2024 Safeties
S1 – P.J Locke – (81/104) defense grade in 2024 in 1000 snaps, C+
S2 – Brandon Jones – (3/104) defense grade in 2024 in 975 snaps, B
S3 – Devon Key – (57/104) defense grade in 2024 in 252 snaps, C
S4 – JL Skinner – (40/104) defense grade in 2024 in 21 snaps, C+
S5 – Keidron Smith – poor defense grade in 2024 in 17 snaps, D
As you can see from the above data, Brandon Jones was really a standout at the safety position for the Broncos this past season. However, outside of him the team struggled to get more than just average to mediocre caliber production from the rest of the unit. Brandon Jones himself is highly inconsistent at the safety spot despite showing an incredibly high ceiling. Heading into the 2025 season, the Denver Broncos have made a key addition to their safety unit by signing former 49ers’ standout Talanoa Hufanga. Hufanga is a solid but not spectacular player at safety but I think he will indeed be an upgrade over what the Broncos got from the unit this past season. The lineup of safeties that the Broncos are projected to field heading into the 2025 season can be found below.
Broncos Projected 2025 Safeties
S1 – Brandon Jones – (3/104) defense grade in 2024 in 975 snaps, B
S2 – Talanoa Hufanga – (79/104) defense grade in 2024 in 308 snaps, C+ to B-
S3 – P.J Locke – (81/104) defense grade in 2024 in 1000 snaps, C+
S4 – Devon Key – (57/104) defense grade in 2024 in 252 snaps, C
S5 – JL Skinner – (40/104) defense grade in 2024 in 21 snaps, C+
S6 – Keidron Smith – poor defense grade in 2024 in 17 snaps, D
S7 – Sam Franklin Jr – only 3 snaps in 2024, C to C+
S8 – Delarrin Turner-Yell – DNP in 2024, D to D+
Heading into the 2025 season the team can expect to slightly improve at the safety spot with the addition of Hufanga, but the unit in totality is still average caliber.
Overall, the Broncos were an elite defensive team this past season as they allowed the third fewest points in the regular season. There is not much room for improvement but I still expect Denver to improve defensively with the offseason additions at positions of need such as Jahdae Barron at cornerback, Dre Greenlaw at linebacker, and Talanoa Hufanga at safety. The team can also expect to improve with the potential emergence of young players such as Kris Abrams-Draine at cornerback and Drew Sanders at linebacker along with more than a few others. In the 2024 season the Broncos were an elite defense but there were several other teams who had a defense of a similar caliber that one would not be hard pressed to label as being elite as well. Part of what delineated the defending Super Bowl Champion Eagles from the rest of the league was the fact that they had an elite caliber defense, but one that separated from the pack. There were 9-10 teams last season who had a defense of an elite caliber but the Eagles had the best one by a margin. Denver was jumbled in with several other teams who also had an elite caliber defense. Heading into next season with their offseason defensive acquisitions and potential improvements they can see from young players, Denver will seek to field a defense which can separate from the pack as opposed to just being jumbled in with many other high caliber defenses as they were this past season. If Denver can field that type of defense next season with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph going into his third season on the job along with Denver likely substantially improving offensively, it would go a long way towards the Broncos establishing themselves as a Super Bowl threat.
