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Denver Broncos: How defensive position groups stack up in AFC West

By Nicholas Manning

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 27: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos warms up before the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 27: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos warms up before the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Shelby Harris
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 10: Defensive end Shelby Harris #96 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a sack against the New York Jets at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The AFC West is loaded with talent on the defensive side of the ball heading into 2020. How do the Denver Broncos stack up at each position group?

The Denver Broncos have made a variety of moves they hope will catapult them into the playoff picture. The rest of AFC West has also made a significant amount of moves to bring in talent this offseason to compete with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Cheifs.

I broke down each position group in the AFC West and provided scores from 1 (Cannot Compete) to 10 (Elite). Most average units rank between 6 and 7.

The first article takes a look at how the Broncos stack up at each offensive positional group.

Defensive Line

Denver: DE Jurrell Casey, DT Mike Purcell, DE Shelby Harris

Shelby Harris had his best year in 2019 and returned for his third season in Orange and Blue. Harris provides a strong interior pass rush (6 sacks in 2019) along with a knack for knocking down passes at key times (2018 vs Pittsburg; 2019 vs Oakland).

Mike Purcell was entered in the lineup in the fifth game of the season and provided the team with a dominant run defender, turning in to a key cog in the defensive resurgence. John Elway robbed Tennesse by brining in perennial Pro-Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey to replace Derek Wolfe.

Not only can Casey replace Wolfe, but he may also be one of the few options available to provide the team with an upgrade. Look for this group to wreak havoc all year in 2020. 8.0

Kansas City: DE Frank Clark, DT Chris Jones, DT Derrick Nnadi, DE Alex Okafor

Kansas City’s defense starts up front with two of the league’s highest-paid defenders in Frank Clark and Chirs Jones. Clark was exactly what the team needed and provided a dominant edge defender capable of changing a game to compliment Jones a superior interior lineman.

Alex Okafor provides a quality bookend that can advantage of being singled up on 3rd down. Derrick Nnadi is a quality run defender but provides little push in the middle. 8.0

Los Angeles: DE Joey Bosa, DT Linval Joseph, DT Justin Jones, DE Melvin Ingram

Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are back together for another season terrorizing opposing quarterbacks. Bosa gets the name recognition, but Ingram has been the more consistent contributor over the last several years.

The team brought in Linval Joseph who should provide quite a push from the middle. Justin Jones is a young player who has yet to make a place in the NFL. 8.0

Las Vegas: DE Clelin Ferrell, DT Maliek Collins, DT Johnathan Hankins, DE Maxx Crosby

Maxx Crosby was a find in the mid-rounds of the 2019 draft. He is relentless and provides the team with a top pass rusher.

Clelin Ferrell, the 4th overall selection in the 2019 draft is flushed with talent but struggled throughout the season to provide consistent pressure on the other side. Maliek Collins comes over from the Cowboys and is capable of pushing the pocket. Johnathan Hankins is strictly a run stuffer. 7.0

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