ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Zach Allen was a nice free-agent pickup.
In his first season with the Denver Broncos, the 3-4 defensive end/tackle had 24 hits on the quarterback, 8 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. For an interior defensive lineman, that’s solid production.
The defensive line as a unit, though, delivered an inconsistent performance in 2023.
Each year going back to at least the past five, the Denver defense has been stout in some games, but gouged by the opponents’ rushing attack in three to five games.
Remember, the Jets’ Isaiah Crowell and Bilal Powell piling up 323 rushing yards in a 2018 game in New Jersey? It may have been difficult to recall because that was also the game Robbie Anderson (now Chosen) torched Bradley Roby for two long touchdown receptions.
This past season, the Denver D had six games in which it allowed at least 171 rushing yards. The Jets, again, had astonishing success in game 5 at Empower Field at Mile High as Breece Hall rushed for 177 of his team’s 234.
Which was darn-near Orange Crush-like compared to how the Denver D got run over by the Dolphins in the sweltering September heat of Miami back in late-September. In that game, the Dolphins introduced rookie speedster De’Von Achane to Fantasy League players as he sprinted for 203 yards and two touchdowns off 18 carries, plus had two more scores off receptions. Raheem Mostert also had four touchdowns – three rushing – as Miami piled up 350 yards rushing (and 376 yards passing).
Even after the Denver D turned around their season with a takeaway blitz during a five-game winning streak, it allowed 192 rushing yards to Buffalo, 185 to Detroit, 175 to Minnesota and 171 to Chicago. Overall, Denver’s defense ranked 30th against the run, allowing 137.1 yards per game.
Offense figures to be the Broncos’ priority this offseason but the defensive line must be addressed. Nose tackle Mike Purcell is a free agent. Perhaps as an adjustment to Purcell’s departure, the Broncos signed nose tackle Rashard Lawrence to a futures contract last month. Lawrence played three seasons in Arizona for now Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
Then there’s defensive tackle D.J. Jones. After paying him $20 million the past two seasons, Jones has another $10 million on his contract for 2024.
Jones was better for the Broncos in 2023 as unlike 2022 he consistently practiced during the week. But a contract adjustment, if not a release to free agency, would be a logical move given the Broncos’ salary-cap restraints.
Jonathan Harris, who had a breakout season of sorts in 2023, is a restricted free agent who could be signed back for a $2.985 million tender.
Matt Henningsen is a decent rotational player and look for Joseph to try and get more out of Elijah Garcia, who flashed pass-rush skills during the preseason. Providing Eyioma Uwazurike is reinstated from his year-long gambling suspension on July 24, he may need several weeks on the practice squad – providing the Broncos decide they can trust him.
There are plenty of quality defensive tackles available in free agency, starting with the Chiefs’ Chris Jones. Who will be way too expensive for the Broncos’ budget. As it stands now, the Broncos’ salary cap is $13 million in the red. And that’s before their expected $35 million dead-cap hit from Russell Wilson’s contract.
Second-wave defensive tackles include Sheldon Rankins, Javon Kinlaw, Grover Stewart, Bilal Nichols, Maurice Hurst, A’Shawn Robinson and Justin Jones.
From the draft, third- to fifth-round defensive tackles (the Broncos figure to go offense in the first round and don’t have a second-round pick) include DeWayne Carter, Leonard Taylor III, Fabien Lovett, Marcus Harris and Gabe Hall.
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