Denver Broncos: What players would team protect from expansion team?

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Patrick Surtain II poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell onstage after being selected ninth by the Denver Broncos during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Patrick Surtain II poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell onstage after being selected ninth by the Denver Broncos during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Mike Purcell
Sep 14, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos nose tackle Mike Purcell (98) in the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Nose Tackle Mike Purcell

Mike Purcell’s presence on the field is very well-known and felt by his teammates. While he doesn’t have much in the pass rush game (two sacks in five seasons, with Denver and San Francisco), he can move people out of the way and cause commotion in the middle of the offensive line.

That allows guys such as Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Alexander Johnson, and Josey Jewell to have success in making sure their jobs are done to the best of their ability.

The defensive line of the Broncos is perhaps one of the strongest positions on the team. In a division that boasts running backs such as Austin Ekeler, Josh Jacobs, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, having a guy such as Purcell is key.

Purcell missed 10 games for the Broncos in 2020 due to a Lisfranc injury that required surgery. In all, the Broncos gave up 21 touchdowns through the ground game in 2020. That will need to be better, and it only will get better with Purcell in the lineup.