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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) /
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Mike Purcell, Denver Broncos
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 27: Mike Purcell #98 of the Denver Broncos reacts after making a tackle near during the third quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

Mike Purcell

The Broncos took a flier on Purcell last offseason after he showed well in the now-defunct AAF (Alliance of American Football).

He went from a guy who couldn’t crack a 90-man roster in the NFL to a starter on Vic Fangio’s defense in Denver, which wound up among the best in the NFL in 2019.

The success of Denver’s defense in 2019 is thanks largely to the contributions of Purcell, who provided some much-needed run defense for Denver after a struggle through the first four games of the season.

Purcell’s work against the run in 2019 was good enough that the Broncos put a second-round restricted free agent tender on him. They don’t just hand those out to guys.

For the money and the impact he made last season without really showing up a ton in the stat sheet, Purcell has got to be one of the best bargains right now on the Broncos’ roster.

As a starter but part-time player, Purcell racked up a career-high 48 tackles last season for Denver with eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Not bad for not having played NFL ball since 2016.

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