Last year, en route to a sixth consecutive season missing the playoffs, the defense was the strongest pillar of the Broncos. The unit finished third in the NFL in average points allowed at 18.9 and eighth in average yards allowed at 326.1. Now with Russell Wilson bringing playoff expectations back to Denver, the corresponding expectation is the Denver defense can be even better than it was last year. A revamped secondary and key free agent additions (D.J Jones, Randy Gregory, K’Waun Williams) are big reasons for that optimism.

Defensive end

Dre’Mont Jones | 93

6-3, 281, 25, 4th season, Ohio State

Jones appeared in a career-high 16 games last year, with seven starts. He didn’t have a sack until Week 8, then reeled off 5.5 sacks and 10 solo tackles in a six-game span. If he can bottle that consistency this year, Jones could truly break out as a pass-rushing force.

Eyioma Uwazurike | 96

6-6, 320, 24, Rookie, Iowa State

The Broncos added to their D-line depth by selecting Uwazurike in the fourth round (No. 116). A first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2021, he had nine sacks for the Cyclones last year. He has a learning curve in front of him, but the Broncos hope that his playmaking ability shows up.

Nose tackle

D.J. Jones | 96

6-0, 305, 27, 6th season, Mississippi

With Shelby Harris gone to Seattle in the Russell Wilson trade, the Broncos re-fortified the defensive line by signing Jones to a three-year deal. In five years in San Francisco, Jones played 61 regular season games (46 starts), with 23 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Mike Purcell | 98

6-3, 328, 31, 7th season, Wyoming

The Highlands Ranch High School product knows he needs to re-establish himself as a plug up front against the run after his 2021 was ended by a foot injury, and he missed four games last year with a broken thumb and COVID. Step No. 1 for Purcell is staying healthy.

Defensive end

DeShawn Williams | 90

6-1, 291, 29, 5th season, Clemson

Williams proved himself as dependable depth on the defensive line the past two seasons, appearing in 29 games (19 starts). Now he gets the chance to start. He has three sacks and 76 tackles since 2020, and will see plenty of action this year.

Matt Henningsen | 91

6-3, 291, 23, Rookie, Wisconsin

Henningsen missed most of rookie minicamp with a calf injury, but returned in time for training camp to make an impression. He still needs to work on finishing plays in the backfield, but has a high athletic upside and provides valuable depth on the defensive line.

Outside linebacker

Bradley Chubb | 55

6-4, 275, 26, 5th season, N.C. State

The No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 draft enters a huge year after an ACL tear wiped out most of his 2020 and ankle issues plagued his 2021. The result was no sacks in seven games last year, and the Broncos are counting on a bounce-back season from Chubb.

Jonathon Cooper | 53

6-4, 257, 24, 2nd season, Ohio State

Cooper underwent three heart surgeries after the Broncos drafted him in the seventh round in 2021. This year brought another hurdle when Cooper tore his finger tendon in the first OTA, knocking him out for three months. He had 2.5 sacks last year, showing flashes.

Aaron Patrick | 94

6-4, 245, 25, 2nd season, Eastern Kentucky

Signed to the active roster last September in the wake of Bradley Chubb’s injury, Patrick made a strong impression in his first year as a reserve and core special teamer, where he played 72% of the snaps. His strength on those units made his roster case strong this year.

Inside linebacker

Josey Jewell | 47

6-1, 236, 27, 5th season, Iowa

Jewell was off to a strong start last year before tearing his pectoral in Week 2. He returns this year as the “green dot” play-caller on defense, and will be expected to rack up tackles in addition to keeping youngsters like Justin Strnad and Jonas Griffith in their lane.

Justin Strnad | 40

6-3, 235, 25, 3rd season, Wake Forest

After missing his rookie season with a wrist injury, Strnad appeared in 16 games last year, with five starts. He had 36 tackles (23 solo) in an up-and-down performance overall; he’ll surely get more chances this year to grow at the position and prove his worth for the future.

Inside linebacker

Jonas Griffith | 50

6-4, 250, 25, 2nd season, Indiana State

Griffith dislocated his elbow in the preseason opener, but coach Nathaniel Hackett expects him to be available for Week 1 in Seattle. Griffith appeared in 14 games last year with three starts, registering 46 tackles (four for loss) and playing half the special teams snaps.

Alex Singleton | 49

6-2, 240, 28, 4th season, Montana State

Denver added Singleton on a one-year deal in free agency, providing insurance at the position that paid off when Jonas Griffith went down with a preseason elbow injury. After a quiet rookie year, Singleton led Philadelphia with 120 tackles in 2020 and 137 tackles last year.

Outside linebacker

Randy Gregory | 5

6-5, 242, 29, 6th season, Nebraska

The Broncos signed Gregory to a five-year, $70 million contract with $28 million guaranteed — big money for a guy who’s only made 12 career starts. Gregory had shoulder surgery in the offseason, but returned in training camp and is expected to be a force opposite No. 55.

Baron Browning | 56

6-3, 240, 23, 2nd season, Ohio State

The Broncos moved Browning from inside to outside after last year, and he gave the fans a taste of what he can do off the edge with a 12-yard sack in the preseason opener. He’s quality depth behind Gregory and Chubb, and could see his role expand depending on his play.

Nik Bonitto | 42

6-3, 240, 22, Rookie, Oklahoma

Denver’s top draft choice this year, in the second round at No. 64 overall, Bonitto has yet to show signs he’s the game-wrecking force the Broncos hoped for. But there’s still plenty of upside He’ll be edge-rushing depth and also contribute on special teams.

Cornerback

Pat Surtain II | 2

6-2, 202, 22, 2nd season, Alabama

After four interceptions in 16 games last year, including a pick-six, the sky is the limit for PS2 in Year 2. He is expected to be the Broncos’ top cornerback and will be tasked with shutting down the top wideouts in the AFC West. A Pro Bowl season could be in the cards.

K’Waun Williams | 21

5-9, 185, 31, 8th season, Pittsburgh

The Broncos signed Williams to a two-year deal in free agency to be the team’s starting nickel back. Williams originally broke into the NFL as an undrafted rookie in Cleveland, then played in 65 games (36 starts) with the 49ers, with four interceptions and 19 passes defensed.

Michael Ojemudia | 13

6-1, 200, 24, 3rd season, Iowa

After a baptism-by-fire as a rookie, appearing in all 16 games with 11 starts, Ojemudia only played two games last year due to a hamstring injury. He provides depth on the back end of the secondary and will also play special teams. He’s starting 2022 on short-term IR (elbow).

Cornerback

Ronald Darby | 23

5-11, 193, 28, 8th season, Florida State

Darby signed a three-year, $30 million deal ahead of last season, and was limited to 11 games in his first season in Denver due to hamstring/shoulder injuries. The Broncos need picks out of him; Darby has eight career interceptions but none since Week 12 of 2019.

Damarri Mathis | 27

5-11, 195, 23, rookie, Pittsburgh

Denver’s fourth-round pick, Mathis earned the trust of the coaching staff during training camp and saw a lot of action in the preseason, running with the No. 1 defense in practice when Ronald Darby had a chest injury. Mathis could be this year’s breakout secondary star.

Essang Bassey | 34

5-10, 190, 24, 3rd season, Wake Forest

Bassey made the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2020, and played in 12 games that year, with three starts and one interception. It’s been rocky since: He spent most of 2021 recovering from a knee injury, and projects as the backup nickel back behind Williams.

Free safety

Justin Simmons | 31

6-2, 202, 28, 8th season, Boston College

The unquestioned captain of the defense, Simmons has 21 career interceptions in 91 games (81 starts). His Ironman snap streak came to an end last year, but he’s just one of two NFL players with 400 total tackles and 20 interceptions since he entered the league in 2016.

Caden Sterns | 30

6-1, 207, 22, 2nd season, Texas

After making an impact in a dime role last year, with two interceptions, two sacks and 28 tackles in 15 games, Sterns will again be an important reserve. He won’t see many snaps at safety, but will be a core special teams player and appear in defensive sub-packages.

Strong safety

Kareem Jackson | 22

5-10, 183, 34, 12th season, Alabama

The oldest player on the Broncos’ defense, Jackson re-signed with the Broncos on a one-year deal in the offseason. He has four interceptions and 248 tackles over the last three seasons in Denver, and will again be the vocal leader of the D along with Simmons.

P.J. Locke | 37

5-10, 202, 25, 4th season, Texas

Locke got his start in Denver on the practice squad in 2019, and over the past two seasons he’s made his mark as a core special teams player, getting 83.5% of those snaps. That will be Locke’s role again this year unless there’s a swath of injuries ahead of him at safety.

Delarrin Turner-Yell | 32

5-11, 200, 22, Rookie, Oklahoma

Denver’s fifth-round pick this year, Turner-Yell had a strong preseason finale against the Vikings that helped cement his roster spot, beating out veteran J.R. Reed and others. He won’t see much time defensively unless there’s injuries, but will contribute on special teams.

Punter

Corliss Waitman | 17

6-2, 210, 27, 2nd season, South Alabama

The Broncos released incumbent starter Sam Martin on the final cut-down day, opting to give the job to Waitman instead. Claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh in February, Waitman had seven punts for the Steelers in 2021 (52.1 average).

Long snapper

Jacob Bobenmoyer | 43

6-2, 235, 25, 3rd season, Northern Colorado

After beating out Wes Farnsworth for the long snapper job during 2020 training camp, Bobenmoyer’s taken the job and run with it. He appeared in all 33 games over the past two years and the former Wyoming prep star will again be a pillar on special teams in 2022.