2019 Broncos' Season: Defensive Outlook


With the Broncos' coaches mostly in place, it's time to start thinking about the team needs this off-season. I'll be looking at all three phases before we hit free agency. Today I'll consider the defense.

2019 Outlook: The Broncos hired a defensive-minded head coach in Vic Fangio, one who guided the Chicago Bears to an incredible season. He'll call the plays in Denver, and that bodes well for a unit that has been the team's strength for the past five year. Additionally, he brought in Ed Donatell, who was with him in Chicago, and kept some of the Broncos' best position coaches. All this should provide reason for excitement for the Broncos. And we have a strong core. Von Miller remains, to me, the best pass rusher in football. Seeing how he used Khalil Mack in Chicago, both Miller and Broncos fans have to be pumped. In addition, the Broncos have second-year man Bradley Chubb on the other side, a guy who was a force last season, and young, promising rusher Jeff Holland waiting to be developed. But that's hardly the only place where the Broncos have good pieces. Adam Gotsis, still on his rookie deal, has come on along the defensive front, and the Broncos have second year linebacker Josey Jewell in the middle. In the secondary, veteran Chris Harris is one of the best corners in the game, while Isaac Yiadom showed promise ending his rookie year, and Brendan Langley is still young. At safety, we have a pair of good young guys in Justin Simmons and Will Parks, and Sua Cravens is a potential weapon who doesn't cost a lot either. So there is plenty to get excited about. But also a few questions.

High Priced Veterans: The Broncos have stout veterans like Derek Wolfe, Brandon Marshall, Todd Davis, and Darian Stewart who are still under contract. However, one or more of them may be cap casualties this off-season as the Broncos don't have a lot of money to play with and likely have some needs they want to fill.

Key Free Agents: The Broncos also have plenty of high-profile defenders who are free agents. Along the defensive line, Domata Peko, Shelby Harris and Zach Kerr are free agents, while at linebacker Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett are free agents. In the secondary, Bradley Roby and Tremaine Brock take a lot of experience at corner to the free agent market. The Broncos certainly won't retain them all, and may not retain any. That leaves some big holes to be filled.

2019 Need: Whether they get their own guys back, draft, or hit free agency, the Broncos have to address their defensive line and secondary. Peko solidified the middle these past two years, and the Broncos need a strong middle to help keep the run game in check. On the back side, Denver's corner situation needs to be addressed. Once an absolute strength, it took a hit last year. Harris is still great, but he's not getting any younger and the Broncos have allowed that position to decline around him the past few years. In order to reach their peak, and build around the awesome pieces they have, the Broncos need to strengthen both the front and the back end.

How to Fill It: If I had my way, I'd see the Broncos re-sign Peko, keep Davis and re-negotiate with Marshall, as he's seemed open to. That would give some veterans up front. I have long loved Wolfe, but I think it's time to let him walk and fill with cheaper veterans and rookies, spending day two and three picks to fill the roster. I'd also hope Fangio and Donatell can help get the most out of Holland because it's time to let Barrett and Ray go. In the secondary, I think it's time to free cap by parting with Stewart to let Parks and Simmons shine. I have long liked Roby, but he was wildly uneven last year. I think the Broncos need to draft at corner, but not in the first round, and I think they need to look at some solid, affordable veteran players to join Harris and our young safeties. Brock was the right idea, but the wrong player. Ditto Adam Jones last season. But I still think that strategy can help bridge the gap, especially if Yiadom continues his growth. The defense is good, and needs only a little attention to thrive.

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