Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Predicting the defensive line group for 2020

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Defensive tackle Shelby Harris #96 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after making a tackle for a loss during the first quarter of a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Defensive tackle Shelby Harris #96 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after making a tackle for a loss during the first quarter of a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 8
Next
Mike Purcell, Denver Broncos
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 22: Nose tackle Mike Purcell #98 of the Denver Broncos defends on the play against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Lions 27-17. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Predicting the Denver Broncos defensive line group for 2020.

What will the Denver Broncos‘ defensive line group look like in the 2020 season?

For the first time since 2011, it won’t feature Derek Wolfe, who left in free agency this offseason for the Super Bowl contending Baltimore Ravens.

The loss of Derek Wolfe was a tough blow for many Denver Broncos fans as Wolfe has been a source of toughness, brutal honesty, leadership, and strong play both as a run defender and pass rusher for years.

The Broncos also let go of another former second-round defensive lineman Adam Gotsis, who is still recovering from an injury he suffered last season.

With both Wolfe and Shelby Harris unrestricted free agents as well as Mike Purcell a restricted free agent, it appeared as though the Broncos would have to replace three starters on the defensive line from a season ago.

If it had to happen, this year’s free agent class was certainly the one to do it.

Early on in free agency, the Broncos came this close to signing Houston Texans free agent DJ Reader, who ended up taking more money to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals instead.

After losing out on Reader, the options for the Broncos in free agency had dwindled considerably.

The team acted quickly, making a trade for veteran Jurrell Casey, a five-time Pro Bowler of the Tennessee Titans.

Not long after that, the Broncos brought back Purcell on his restricted free agent tender and made perhaps the best bargain signing in all of free agency, re-signing Shelby Harris to a one-year, $3 million deal.

There were some outside of Denver projecting Harris would sign for north of $10 million per season.

Along with the moves made in free agency, the Broncos took to the 2020 NFL Draft and added pass-rushing lineman McTelvin Agim from Arkansas to the rotation.

Thankfully, the defensive line room is a bit crowded in Denver. There are players who have proven themselves plenty and a number of guys with upside to contribute as starters. Which players make up this unit, and who is cracking the rotation in 2020?

Let’s dive in.

Home/Broncos News