Getty
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman.
The Denver Broncos created one of the NFL’s great defenses in 2024 by finding elite value where there previously was none.
Players like defensive end Zach Allen and NFL edge rusher Nik Bonitto earning NFL All-Pro honors for the first time. Cornerback Riley Moss established himself as a viable option at starting cornerback. Defensive tackle D.J. Jones played his way into a 3-year, $39 million free agent contract.
While those were some of the headliners on a defense that led the NFL with 63.0 sacks, there were more in their ranks who had breakout seasons in 2024, just without as much fanfare.
One of those players was edge rusher Dondrea Tillman, a 26-year-old rookie who had 5.0 sacks in just 12 games in 2024.
As an exclusive rights free agent, Tillman returns to the Broncos on a bargain bin, 1-year, $960,000 contract. That’s incredible value when you consider Chicago Bears edge rusher Montez Sweat had 5.5 sacks in 16 games while being paid $21 million — the same year Tillman made $741,666.
Tillman spent his first 3 seasons of professional football with the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL and UFL.
“(Tillman) had workouts with the Ravens and Falcons but didn’t get his NFL break until the Broncos signed him last June,” Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams wrote on April 4. “Tillman did not make the active roster out of training camp but signed with the team’s practice squad. He ended up on the active roster and totaled 23 tackles, five tackles for loss and five sacks in 12 games in a rotational role.”
