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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) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Nose tackle Domata Peko #94 and defensive end Adam Gotsis #99 of the Denver Broncos try to get the crowd to get loud in the second quarter of a game against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Nose tackle Domata Peko #94 and defensive end Adam Gotsis #99 of the Denver Broncos try to get the crowd to get loud in the second quarter of a game against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

4. Domata Peko, Nose Tackle

Just like offensive linemen don’t always get credit for the production of a great running game, neither does a great nose tackle always get the appreciation he deserves for setting the tone in run defense.

Domata Peko Sr. has been one of the best offseason acquisitions by John Elway, replacing incumbent Sylvester Williams, a former first round pick.

That wasn’t an easy decision for Elway to make, letting a former first round pick go and signing a veteran stop-gap to take his place, but Peko has proven to be much more than just a stop-gap and more of a gap clogger, if I can be cheesy for a moment.

Peko’s disruption in the running game has allowed the Broncos to be dominant in this regard. He doesn’t play 100 percent of the snaps for this Broncos defense, but he doesn’t need to. The impact he’s making as a run defender has been outstanding, ranking fourth on the team overall in run defense grade (PFF) and allowing guys like inside linebacker Todd Davis to make plays freely.

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