Denver’s defense will look quite a bit different this fall — especially on the back end. Justin Simmons is no longer the defensive leader in the Broncos secondary. Now, it’s Brandon Jones. After an inconsistent performance from the defensive line in 2023, the Broncos added Malcolm Roach and John Franklin-Myers in an attempt to put more pressure on quarterbacks. With cornerback Pat Surtain II leading the charge, the Broncos are hoping the defensive facelift will lead to better results this fall. Here’s a look at the projected two-deep:
Defensive End
Zach Allen | 99
6-5, 285, 26, 6th season, Boston College
In Allen’s first season in Denver, he totaled 60 tackles and five sacks in 17 starts. He also recorded career bests in pressures (27) and quarterback hits (24).
Nose Tackle
D.J. Jones | 93
6-0, 305, 29, 8th season, Ole Miss
The man in the middle. Jones has recorded 80 tackles, four sacks and six passes defended in the last two seasons with the Broncos. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025. Time to prove he belongs.
Malcolm Roach | 97
6-3, 290, 26, 5th season, Texas
The Broncos’ loud and energetic defensive tackle was brought to Denver with the hope of improving the team’s flagging run defense. Roach had 90 tackles in four seasons with the Saints.
Defensive End
John Franklin-Myers | 98
6-4, 288, 27, 7th season, Stephen F. Austin
Franklin-Myers was acquired from the Jets in a trade during the draft in April. In his fourth season in New York, Franklin-Myers recorded 33 tackles (six for loss), 3.5 sacks and 14 quarterback hits. His presence could strengthen a defensive line that struggled in 2023.
Outside Linebacker
Baron Browning | 5
6-3, 240, 25, 4th season, Ohio State
Browning missed the first six games of 2023 after having offseason surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus. Now that Browning is fully healthy, he is looking to be a dominant pass rusher as he enters the final year of his contract.
Nik Bonitto | 42
6-3, 240, 24, 3rd season, Oklahoma
Perhaps the fastest edge rusher on the team, Bonitto recorded eight sacks in 2023 after 1.5 as a rookie. While Bonitto has shown the ability to rush the passer, head coach Sean Payton wants him to improve on setting the edge in the run game.
Inside Linebacker
Alex Singleton | 49
6-2, 240, 30, 6th season, Montana State
Singleton has been a tackling machine in Denver. He has racked up 340 tackles in two seasons, including a team-high 177 in 2023.
Cody Barton | 55
6-2, 237, 27, 6th season, Utah
Before Barton signed a one-year deal with the Broncos in the offseason, he spent four seasons with the Seahawks and one in Washington, where he had 121 tackles in 13 starts during the 2023 campaign.
Outside Linebacker
Jonathon Cooper | 0
6-4, 257, 26, 4th season, Ohio State
Cooper posted a team-best 8.5 sacks after a combined 4.5 in his first two seasons with the Broncos. He is seeking to become the first Broncos player to record double-digit sacks in a single season since Von Miller and Bradley Chubb in 2018.
Jonah Elliss | 52
6-4, 246, 21, Rookie, Utah
The Broncos took Elliss in the third round of the 2024 draft. At Utah, he recorded 12 sacks — seventh-most in the nation — through 10 games before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury. His father, Luther, played one season in Denver and nine for the Lions.
Cornerback
Pat Surtain II | 2
6-2, 202, 24, 4th season, Alabama
Regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, Surtain had 69 tackles and 12 passes defended while being named to his second Pro Bowl in 2023. Denver picked up his fifth-year option this offseason. He soon could become the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
Levi Wallace | 39
6-0, 179, 29, 7th season, Alabama
Wallace has spent his career in Buffalo and Pittsburgh, where he played the last two seasons. As a Steeler, Wallace recorded 86 tackles and six interceptions in 31 games (18 starts).
Nickel Cornerback
Ja’Quan McMillian | 29
5-10, 183, 24, 3rd season, East Carolina
McMillian had a breakout Year 2, becoming one of the best nickel cornerbacks in the league while helping spearhead a five-game win streak. He had 51 tackles, two sacks, five passes defended and two interceptions.
Safety
P.J. Locke | 6
5-10, 202, 27, 5th season, Texas
Locke’s career season in 2023 was rewarded with a two-year, $7 million deal with the Broncos in the offseason. After years as a backup and core special teamer, Locke will have the opportunity to be a full-time starter this fall.
Devon Key | 26
6-0, 208, 26, 2nd season, Western Kentucky
Key spent last season on Denver’s practice squad but could have an increased role in 2024 after the team parted ways with Caden Sterns during training camp. Key had 90-plus tackles in three of his four seasons at Western Kentucky.
Safety
Brandon Jones | 22
6-0, 191, 26, 5th season, Texas
Jones reunites with his college teammate, Locke, to defend the back end of the field. In Miami, Jones was known for being an effective blitzer. He hopes his time in Denver will allow him to show there’s more to his game.
JL Skinner | 34
6-4, 220, 23, 2nd season, Boise State
Sterns’ departure opens the door for Skinner to play a bigger role in Denver’s secondary after playing one defensive snap as a rookie. At Boise State, Skinner was a ballhawk, recording six interceptions, 11 passes defended and three fumble recoveries in his last two seasons.
Cornerback
Riley Moss | 21
6-0, 193, 24, 2nd season, Iowa
Moss rarely saw the field as a rookie. However, the Broncos value his speed and athleticism enough to believe the former Iowa star can be a quality outside cornerback in the league.
Kris Abrams-Draine | 31
5-11, 178, 22, Rookie, Missouri
Abrams-Draine, a fifth-round pick, has the potential to develop into one of the steals of the draft. The former Missouri standout has the flexibility to play on the outside or in the slot. In his final season at Mizzou, Abrams-Draine totaled 51 tackles, four interceptions and 13 passes defended.
Punter
Riley Dixon | 9
6-4, 221, 30, 9th season, Syracuse
In Dixon’s third stint with the Broncos, he averaged 46.3 yards per punt attempt last fall. He had 27 punt attempts land inside the 20-yard line and six touchbacks.
Long snapper
Mitchell Fraboni | 48
6-2, 223, 27, 3rd season, Arizona State
Fraboni embarks on his second season as Denver’s full-time long snapper. He had six tackles and a fumble recovery in the role last year.
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Originally Published: August 31, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
