Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Five key players from the first four games

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback EJ Manuel #3 of the Oakland Raiders is hit by outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback EJ Manuel #3 of the Oakland Raiders is hit by outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Adam Gotsis #99 and outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos int he first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Adam Gotsis #99 and outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos int he first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

3. Shaquil Barrett, Linebacker

When Shaquil Barrett suffered a hip injury this offseason, not much of Broncos Country was worried because Shane Ray was supposed to be this year’s breakout defensive player.

While Barrett doesn’t ‘finish’ as many sack opportunities as Ray has in the last couple of seasons, he is an excellent all-around player that has been critical for the Broncos this season.

Let’s take a look at some numbers for Barrett.

The Denver Broncos rank first in the NFL in total run defense, and have not allowed a rushing touchdown this season. Barrett, an outside linebacker, leads the team in overall run defense grade (PFF) and also leads the Broncos with 11 total stops this season.

As a pass rusher, Barrett has racked up 18 total pressures this season, including one sack and four hits on the quarterback.

As much as we’d like to see him rack up the sacks (because he deserves it), there’s no denying the impact Barrett makes as an edge defender, especially setting the tone in the running game. He’s rarely out of position, and has given the Broncos a very tough decision to make about snap counts when Shane Ray gets healthy.

Home/Broncos News