Here’s a look at the Broncos’ projected defensive line depth chart going into the NFL draft.
With the NFL draft a little more than one week away, here’s a look at the Broncos’ projected defensive line depth chart as it stands right now:
DE
NT
DE
Shelby Harris
Mike Purcell
Jurrell Casey
DeMarcus Walker
Joel Heath
Dre’Mont Jones
Jonathan Harris
Kyle Peko
Deyon Sizer
Jay-Tee Tiuli
Denver has three solid starters in Harris, Purcell and Casey but none of those guys are long-term answers at their respective positions. Jones could become a reliable starter in the future but the Broncos will need two more starting defensive linemen in the coming years.
Walker has shown potential but he might be best-suited as a rotational defender. This season, Walker and Jones will provide excellent depth as defensive ends but Denver will want more help at nose tackle.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Broncos add several defensive linemen in the draft, bringing in help at nose tackle and defensive end.
The Broncos ranked 16th in the league against the run and received 20.5 sacks from the defensive line in 2019. How do their d-linemen grade?
The defensive line for the Denver Broncos did not stand out in 2019, but the group as a collective unit certainly held its own.
The Broncos ranked 16th in the league against the run. The defensive line also accounted for 20.5 sacks for the Broncos, a group that could be even better in Year 2 under Vic Fangio.
Much of that will depend on how much of the unit the team can keep intact as three of the team’s top players are set to become unrestricted free agents.
That will be a topic in the weeks ahead but right now, let’s look back at the performance of these players this past season.
Note: Deyon Sizer, Jonathan Harris and Kyle Peko were not included due to minimal stats and games played.
Derek Wolfe
(Mark Reis/Colorado Springs Gazette/TNS)
Stats
Tackles: 34
Sacks: 7
Tackles for loss: 8
Forced fumbles: 1
Wolfe played quite well and posted nice numbers in 2019, including a career-high seven sacks. Those numbers might have been even better if he was able to finish out the season.
A dislocated elbow in Week 13 shut Wolfe down for the year and potentially, for his Broncos career, as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
In eight years with the team, Wolfe has played a full 16-game season just three times. Still, most fans would likely prefer he returns.
Wolfe’s big sack numbers help his grade out, despite only playing in 12 games.
The Denver Broncos drafted a solid rookie class in 2019. How did each player grade out across the season?
After each school year, students are given letter grades to assess their accomplishments during the previous year. During every NFL offseason, grades are also commonplace.
Looking back at the Denver Broncos’ 2019 draft class, there is plenty of good that stands out, which means there is plenty to build on heading into the future.
Some of these players will be part of the foundation with which the Broncos look to rebuild on, looking to end a postseason drought that dates back to Super Bowl 50.
Here, we will review the 2019 season of each member of the team’s rookie class. This review will include statistics and the impact they made on the team. In addition to the team’s draft choices, Malik Reed, an undrafted rookie who made the 53-man roster, will also be graded.
There were other players that made the practice squad and then were called up to the active roster for various reasons, such as Josh Watson and Alijah Holder. Because their sample size is so small, they will not receive a grade for the season.
With all of that in mind, here we go.
1. Noah Fant, tight end
(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
2019 stats
Receptions: 40
Receiving yards: 562
Touchdowns: 3
The Broncos originally held the No. 10 overall pick in the first round and many fans and analysts alike expected them to use the pick on Michigan linebacker Devin Bush. Instead, the team traded back to the No. 20 slot and chose Fant.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who made the trade with Denver to come up to No. 10, did select Bush. Bush would have looked great in Denver and arguably better than Fant ever will, but Fant showed signs of being a future star.
His season got off to a slow start and concerns arose even in preseason among fans that the Broncos may have drafted a dud. He turned it on later in the season and finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards, behind only Courtland Sutton.
In all, he did what was asked of him as a rookie and big things should be expected next season.
Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Denver Broncos rookie defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after his standout performance against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the league announced Friday.
Jones has been battling an ankle injury and was a game-time decision for last week’s game. He played through the injury and totaled five tackles and 2.5 sacks in a 27-17 win.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said of Jones winning the award. “I was happy for him. Again, he was the guy that had the workout before the game.
“We didn’t really know if he was going to play or not. If you were a betting man during the week you would have bet that he wouldn’t have. He really wanted to play and it was nice to see him get rewarded.”
Jones (6-3, 281 pounds) was selected by Denver in the third round of April’s draft out of Ohio State. He has recorded 14 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception this year. Jones has also broken up two passes.
Jones is just the third Broncos rookie in franchise history to win a Defensive Player of the Week Award and the first since Von Miller in 2011.
“It [means] a lot to me, especially because of the history behind it and being the third rookie to do it,” the defensive lineman said Friday.
Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones has been nominated for the Rookie of the Week award on NFL.com.
After a standout performance in a 27-17 win over the Lions last week, Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones has been nominated for the Rookie of the Week award on NFL.com.
Jones totaled four tackles and two sacks against Detroit in Week 16, the first multi-sack game of his career. The Ohio State product has now totaled eight tackles, three sacks and one interception this year. He has also broken up two passes.
Jones is probably a longshot to win the award because he faces some tough competition from the offensive side of the ball. Jones’ competition includes Giants QB Daniel Jones (352 yards, 5 touchdowns), Eagles running back Miles Sanders (156 yards, 1 TD), Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow (107 yards, 1 TD) and Titans linebacker Derick Roberson (two sacks). Daniel Jones is the clear favorite to win the award this week.
Fans can vote for Jones this week at NFL.com/Rookies. Two weeks ago, Broncos quarterback Drew Lock was named Rookie of the Week following a three-touchdown performance in a win over the Texans on the road.
View the final injury report for Sunday’s game between the Broncos and Lions.
The Denver Broncos have ruled out two starting offensive linemen for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Guard Ron Leary (concussion) and offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) won’t suit up in Week 16.
Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, nose tackle Kyle Peko (illness), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle), linebacker Joe Jones (back), defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (ankle), guard Dalton Risner (illness) and tight end Noah Fant (shoulder) are listed as questionable.
Center Patrick Morris (back) has been cleared to play.
The Lions’ injury report will be added to this post once available.
Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. David Blough is expected to start against the Broncos in Week 16 with Kyle Sloter serving as his backup.
The Broncos held out five injured players from practice Wednesday.
Five Broncos players — guard Ron Leary (concussion), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle), offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee), defensive end Adam Gotsis (knee) and guard Dalton Risner (illness) — were held out of practice Wednesday.
Leary and James were both inactive last week and coach Vic Fangio indicated before practice Wednesday that they might be held out again on Sunday.
“Ron is still having difficulties with his concussion, so I don’t think it looks good right now,” Fangio said. “Ja’Wuan probably won’t play either.”
Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, linebacker Joe Jones (back), defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (ankle) and tight end Noah Fant (shoulder) were listed as limited.
For the Lions, linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring) and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (shoulder) were held out of practice. Linebacker Christian Jones (shoulder), running back Bo Scarbrough (ribs) and offensive tackle Rick Wagner (knee) were limited.
Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. David Blough is expected to start against the Broncos in Week 16 with Kyle Sloter serving as his backup.
Sunday’s game will begin at 2:05 p.m. MT and will air on CBS.
The Broncos and Chiefs have revealed their final injury reports for Week 15 of the NFL season.
Denver Broncos guard Ron Leary (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, coach Vic Fangio announced Friday. Right tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) has also been ruled out, leaving Denver thin on the offensive line.
With Leary and James out, Austin Schlottmann (guard) and Elijah Wilkinson (tackle) will likely serve as fill-in offensive linemen this week.
In addition to Leary and James, wide receiver Juwann Winfree (hamstring), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle) and defensive end Adam Gotsis (knee) have also been ruled out.
Elsewhere on the Broncos’ injury report, defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones (ankle), inside linebacker Joe Jones (back) and tight end Noah Fant (hip/foot) are listed as questionable.
Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (foot), inside linebacker Alexander Johnson (knee), outside linebacker Von Miller (knee), nose tackle Mike Purcell (shoulder/knee), and cornerback Isaac Yiadom (shoulder) have been cleared to play.
For the Chiefs, cornerback Morris Claiborne (shoulder) and cornerback Rashad Fenton (hamstring) have been ruled out. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (hand) fully practiced all week and will play on Sunday.
Broncos tight end Noah Fant practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
After sitting out practice Wednesday, Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (hip/foot) was able to practice on a limited basis Thursday. The Broncos remain hopeful that Fant will be able to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Fant returned Thurday but right tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee), defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones (ankle), guard Ron Leary (concussion), wide receiver Juwann Winfree (hamstring), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle) and inside linebacker Joe Jones (back) were held out of practice.
Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, defensive end Adam Gotsis (knee), outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (foot), inside linebacker Alexander Johnson (knee), outside linebacker Von Miller (knee), nose tackle Mike Purcell (shoulder/knee), and cornerback Isaac Yiadom (shoulder) are listed as limited.
For the Chiefs, cornerback Morris Claiborne (shoulder), defensive end Frank Clark (illness/shoulder) and cornerback Rashad Fenton (hamstring) were held out of practice. Running back Damien Williams (rib) and guard Andrew Wylie (shoulder) were limited. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (hand) fully practiced Wednesday.
Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s win over the Texans.
Denver Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s 38-24 win over the Houston Texans, coach Vic Fangio confirmed during his Monday press conference. That kind of injury could take anywhere from a week to several months to heal.
“We’re not sure the severity,” Fangio said. “It could be that he might be able to play this week or it could be he misses a couple weeks. The next few days will tell.”
If the injury is likely to keep Jones out for multiple games, Denver might place him on injured reserve with just three games remaining.
Jones (6-3, 281 pounds) was selected by Denver in the third round of April’s draft after he totaled 9.5 sacks during his final two years at Ohio State. Jones has served as a rotational defensive lineman this season, recording nine tackles, one sack and one interception. He has also broken up two passes.
The Broncos’ remaining healthy defensive linemen are Shelby Harris, Adam Gotsis, Mike Purcell, DeMarcus Walker and Jonathan Harris. Denver has already placed defensive linemen Billy Winn and Derek Wolfe on injured reserve this season. The Broncos have just one defensive lineman on the practice squad: Deyon Sizer, an undrafted rookie from CSU-Pueblo.
