Broncos' defense still gets huge respect following NFL Draft

Broncos' defense still gets huge respect following NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Denver Broncos had one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2025 and that is not expected to change much going into 2026.

The team made great strides to retain as many players as it could in the offseason, with the only notable losses being John Franklin-Myers, who signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, and Dre Greenlaw, who the team released.

Since returning to Denver as the team's defensive coordinator in 2023, Vance Joseph has built one of the league's most consistent units. Many expected Joseph to get a job as a head coach this offseason, but he remains in Denver, ready to build on what has already been a hugely successful defensive group.

Following the 2026 NFL Draft, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report ranked every defensive unit in the league and he showed the Broncos a proper amount of respect, putting them all the way up at No. 2. He almost put them in the top slot.

"This is a difficult call. There are two defenses in the NFL right now that are in a tier of their own. Two defenses that are just stacked at every level and are nightmare fuel for opposing offensive coordinators.

The Denver Broncos are one of those defenses.

Even after losing John Franklin-Myers in free agency, the Broncos still have a loaded front with tackle Zach Allen and edge-rushers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper. No team tallied more sacks last year.

Between that front and a pair of experienced linebackers in Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, the Broncos allowed just 91.1 yards per game on the ground in 2025—second-fewest in the league.

It's not much easier to throw on Denver's seventh-ranked pass defense, either. Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga might be the best safety duo in the game, and cornerback Patrick Surtain II was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.

If Denver's on the schedule, good luck moving the football", wrote Davenport.

Do the Broncos' have the NFL's best defense?

The only defense ranked ahead of the Broncos is the Houston Texans, and that's probably accurate as that team was flay out nasty on that side of the ball down the final stretch last season.

But the Broncos have a chance to be even better in 2026. There really is no glaring weakness, even if more depth could be used at inside linebacker. The secondary is going to make you work for everything and if Riley Moss can get the penalties under control, the defense will become even stingier.

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Last year, the Broncos were pushing the 1984 Chicago Bears for the all-time record of sacks in a season. Ultimately, the team finished fifth all-time with 68, but if this defense comes anywhere near that number this coming season, the Broncos could be well on their way to reaching their ultimate goal.

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