Denver Broncos: Shane Ray’s pass rush is needed
The Denver Broncos’ defense has been the best in the NFL at stopping the run, but they need Shane Ray to reinforce the pass rush depth…
As we endure the early-season bye week, it’s time to take an objective look at where the Denver Broncos need to improve. One specific area that improvement is needed is in the pass rush department, and Shane Ray can’t come off of injured reserve soon enough.
The Broncos were expected to go into this season with at least a trio of edge rushers in Von Miller, Shaquil Barrett, and Ray who would pick up whatever slack was left by the retired DeMarcus Ware and then some.
In fact, it was anticipated that this would be Ray’s best season as a professional, even coming off of a year where he had the second highest pass rush grade of any Broncos defender (Pro Football Focus) and was credited for 10 sacks by PFF.
The official stat books only credit Ray with eight sacks last year, which still represent a career high, but regardless of the official number, Ray’s presence on the other side of Von Miller is needed, at least in pass rush situations.
Shaquil Barrett has done a fine job so far to start this season, ranking among the best in the NFL at the 3-4 outside linebacker position in run defense efficiency, and in total stops (11). Where Barrett is not proving as effective perhaps as he could or should be is as a rusher on the opposite side of Von Miller.
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Miller is commanding a ton of attention on a play-by-play basis, which should theoretically be opening things up for Barrett. Barrett is playing nearly 90 percent of the defensive snaps this year, so the opportunities should be there.
Perhaps the Broncos need only someone like Ray, who certainly knows how to get to the quarterback, to complete what could be the best defense we’ve seen in Denver.
Yes, including the 2015 group.
There’s still a long way to go in besting the 2015 unit, but Ray’s presence off the edge could certainly push them there with the way the front seven has played to start the year. It looks like the target return date for Ray — the Broncos’ road game in Kansas City this month — is still in tact.
https://twitter.com/StingRay56/status/915648748230991873
Hopefully the rest of the defense stays healthy until then, and we can get a look at this defense with all of its pieces in place.