Denver Broncos Christmas gifts and lumps of coal for 2019

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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 3: Linebacker Alexander Johnson #45 of the Denver Broncos hands an American Flag over to a member of the military on the field before game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Gift: Breakthrough players

The Broncos have had plenty of breakthrough performances in 2019, even though the team is out of playoff contention.

Perhaps no breakthrough has been more important than the development of second-year linebacker Alexander Johnson, who has been one of the most consistently good players on the team in 2019.

Johnson has started 11 games this season for the Broncos and has racked up 82 total tackles, five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, an interception, and three passes broken up.

Johnson’s emergence this season has filled an inside linebacker need for the Broncos going forward and given this team a fresh energy at the position. He’s been fantastic.

The Broncos have also seen breakthrough performances from players like defensive tackle Mike Purcell, who was previously playing in the AAF trying to get some good tape out there to NFL teams. He’s been stellar as the nose tackle for the Broncos this season.

No player has broken out quite like Justin Simmons, however.

The fourth-year safety has become quite possibly a top three safety in the NFL in Vic Fangio’s defense, and he’s earned a big-money contract in the 2020 offseason.

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Simmons has become a cornerstone piece for the team moving forward.

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