Denver Broncos: Most underrated defense in the NFL?
The Denver Broncos don’t seem to be getting a lot of hype or public acclaim for their defense at this point in time, and I think that’s a big mistake.
It’s going to be important for teams to not underestimate this unit, as the Broncos will boast one of the most ferocious front seven units in the NFL as well as perhaps the deepest, most talented secondary in the league.
Going into the 2015 season, I think the Broncos have the most underrated defense in the NFL. They led the NFL in sacks this preseason, which wouldn’t mean anything if it wasn’t going to translate to the regular season. With Wade Phillips calling the shots, the unit is expected to be not only aggressive but very simple in its approach. Players have lauded Phillips for his allowing the players to just ‘make plays’ at their spots and for pass rushers in particular, this defense is going to be like heaven.
Von Miller is playing as well as we’ve ever seen, and he’s being joined once again by DeMarcus Ware, who looks like he’s found a fountain of youth in Denver and is still one of the best pass rushers in the league. The Broncos are deep up front with a starting unit of Derek Wolfe, Sylvester Williams, and budding superstar Malik Jackson, who is one of the most effective players in the NFL among DE/DT hybrid players.
Along with Ware and Miller, the Broncos drafted Shane Ray to boost their pass rush, and he has been as advertised so far this preseason with a pair of sacks and an even better ability against the run than some people originally had opined. Not only those three, but Shaquil Barrett has been the highest graded defensive player this preseason and looks like he could add yet another big boost to the pass rush for the Broncos if need be.
In the secondary, Chris Harris Jr. is perhaps the best cornerback in the NFL. If he’s not the best, it’s close, but personally I think he’s the best after a 2014 season where he didn’t allow a touchdown or a catch over 25 yards. When quarterbacks decide not throw the ball over his direction, they have to throw it at Aqib Talib, who had a rocky start to his Broncos career but is having a phenomenal offseason and preseason.
Talib looks as good as he ever has, and the Broncos have former first round pick Bradley Roby also ready to make an impact as perhaps one of the most physical nickel defensive backs in the league. On the back end, they have T.J. Ward returning for his second season after a Pro Bowl year in 2014, and Darian Stewart coming over from the Baltimore Ravens. Stewart, at the end of last season, was among the best safeties in the league. He was a really underrated pickup for the Broncos this offseason.
The combination of the new coaching staff and elite talent at all three levels of the defense indicates to me that the Broncos’ defense could be among the best in the NFL this season, and at this point is vastly underrated.