Horse Tracks: Pro Football Focus ranks the Broncos’ defensive line 8th best in NFL

   

Good morning, Broncos Country.

A lot can change over the course of one season in the National Football League.

After a rough 2023 campaign, Pro Football Focus wasn’t too high on the Denver Broncos defensive line and edge defenders. Leading up to last season, they ranked the Broncos’ unit as the second-worst in the NFL. It was hard to fault them, considering Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph’s unit struggled to perform consistently in ‘23, ranking at the bottom of almost every statistical category.

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But last season, things changed dramatically for Denver in that regard and Joseph’s defense proved to be one of the best. In their most recent position group analysis, PFF slated the Broncos’ group of defensive linemen and edge players as a Top 10 unit for the coming season—eighth overall. A notable and well-deserved improvement.

Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers proved to be a formidable duo for the franchise last year and undoubtedly helped make an impact for the team. Veteran nose tackle D.J. Jones was played well on the interior. and free agent addition Malcom Roach really helped the team’s depth—they key fourth member in the Broncos’ line rotation.

Their hard-nosed and consistent play up front really helped things out for their group of edge rushers. Headlined by Nik Bonitto, whose All-Pro and Pro-Bowl campaign was one of the most impressive of any defender in the league, the Broncos were able to help amass 63 total sacks—a franchise record—and the most of any team last year.

 

In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Broncos added Sai’vion Jones and Que Robinson into the fold, building upon one of the biggest strengths the franchise has. If the Broncos want to be successful this coming season, the team’s defensive trench players will have to continue to play at a high level. Based off last season’s results and the new additions, it seems like they will once again be one of the best in the business.

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What do you think, Broncos Country? Do you think Denver will sport another Top 10 unit in this respect this coming season? Do you think they can be even better than last year? Sound off in the comments and let me know!

As always, thank you for reading. Here is today’s slate of articles for Horse Tracks.

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