The Broncos defense enters 2025 carrying the expectation that it will be among the best in the NFL and perhaps Denver’s best since the No Fly Zone. They return nearly every regular from a year ago, they added impact free agents in inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga, and they spent their first-round draft pick on cornerback Jahdae Barron. They have the reigning defensive player of the year in cornerback Pat Surtain II and a newly minted $100 million man in defensive end Zach Allen. This group is stacked. And if it stays healthy, it should be a problem.
Defensive Tackle
Zach Allen | 99
6-foot-5, 285 pounds, 27 years old, 7th season, Boston College
Allen led all DTs with 67 pressures and 40 quarterback hits in a monstrous, 8.5-sack 2024. Then he landed a $102 million extension this summer. He’s primed to ascend to star status and says he’s got plenty of room to improve.
Nose Tackle
D.J. Jones | 93
6-0, 305, 30, 9th season, Ole Miss
The Broncos kept Jones from hitting free agency with a three-year deal in March. He’s stout against the run and in many ways the soul of Denver’s defensive front.
Malcolm Roach | 97
6-3, 290, 27, 6th season, Texas
If Jones is the soul, Roach is the voice. He talks and talks and talks some more, and all the while plays the run with aplomb. He’s the kind of player who lights up a locker room.
Defensive End
John Franklin-Myers | 98
6-4, 288, 28, 8th season, Stephen F. Austin
Franklin-Myers is entering the last year of his contract and should be motivated to land a big deal — from Denver or someone else. Consistent, disruptive and under-appreciated, JFM is the straw that stirs the DL’s pass-rush drink.
Sai’vion Jones | 95
6-5, 289, 22, 1st season, LSU
The third-round pick could well be Franklin-Myers’ long-term replacement. In the meantime, though, he’s got a chance to earn reps on a really deep line. Jones’ motor will endear him to fans quickly.
Outside Linebacker
Nik Bonitto | 15
6-3, 240, 25, 4th season, Oklahoma
Bonitto leapt into the national conversation with 13.5 sacks and a series of game-changing plays last year. Now he’ll try to show he’s one of the game’s elite rushers and build off his all-world first-step quickness.
Dondrea Tillman | 92
6-4, 247, 27, 2nd season, Indiana (Pa.)
Tillman made the roster last year, produced, and appears to have only continued improving. He’s got a chance to be a real impact player after an impressive training camp.
Inside Linebacker
Alex Singleton | 49
6-2, 240, 31, 7th season, Montana State
Singleton had never been hurt in his career before a torn ACL in 2024 and then a broken thumb in training camp. If he’s healthy, he’ll call the defense and be a tackling machine. Entering the final year of his contract, he has no remaining guaranteed money.
Levelle Bailey | 56
6-2, 225, 24, 2nd season, Fresno State
A second-year breakout candidate, though the Broncos are hoping he plays behind Singleton and Greenlaw and excels on special teams.
Inside linebacker
Dre Greenlaw | 57
6-0, 230, 28, 7th season, Arkansas
If healthy, he’s the kind of sideline-to-sideline player the Broncos haven’t had in years. He can cover, and he arrives at the ball with abandon. Dealt with an offseason quad injury that is worth monitoring as the regular season arrives.
Justin Strnad | 40
6-3, 235, 28, 6th season, Wake Forest
A trusty special teams player who held his own in extensive defensive work last year. May end up back in a special teams role this year if others are healthy.
Outside Linebacker
Jonathon Cooper | 0
6-4, 257, 27, 5th season, Ohio State
Secured a four-year extension midway through the 2024 season and is one of the foremost leaders of this group. Cooper finished last fall with a career-best 10.5 sacks and now has 19 combined in the past two seasons.
Jonah Elliss | 52
6-4, 246, 22, 2nd season, Utah
A promising young player who dealt with a shoulder injury this offseason but looks healthy now and is capable of both rushing the passer and defending the run.
Cornerback
Pat Surtain II | 2
6-2, 202, 25, 5th season, Alabama
The reigning NFL defensive player of the year, a multiple-time All-Pro and one of the finest cornerbacks in club history already, Surtain thinks he can be even better this season. He’s the rare 25-year-old who is already on a Hall of Fame track.
Kris Abrams-Draine | 31
5-11, 178, 23, 2nd season, Missouri
A bit under-the-radar, but the 2024 fifth-rounder rose to the occasion when called upon down the stretch as a rookie. The arrow is pointing up here.
Nickel
Ja’Quan McMillian | 29
5-10, 183, 25, 4th season, East Carolina
The 2022 undrafted free agent has turned himself into one of the better nickels in football. And even still, he’ll have to hold off a first-round pick to keep his job.
Jahdae Barron | 12
5-11, 200, 23, Rookie, Texas
The Broncos love his versatility, tackling ability and high-level intelligence. Where will Barron play? Who will he supplant? Vance Joseph’s got options here.
Safety
Talanoa Hufanga | 9
6-0, 200, 25, 5th season, USC
The 2022 All-Pro has dealt with injuries recently, but he can play a leading role in this group’s fortunes if he’s healthy. Head coach Sean Payton calls him “a first responder” for a reason.
P.J. Locke | 6
5-10, 202, 28, 6th season, Texas
Locke played through a broken thumb and then had a spinal fusion operation during the offseason. He says he feels good now, but he’s probably a role player this fall.
Safety
Brandon Jones | 22
6-0, 191, 27, 6th season, Texas
A 2024 free agent addition, Jones stepped into a full-time role and thrived in Joseph’s defense. Playing next to Hufanga should make an exciting pairing.
Devon Key | 26
6-0, 208, 27, 3rd season, Western Kentucky
The most likely in a group of several contenders to end up as the No. 4 safety because of his prior experience, and also his quality special teams work.
Cornerback
Riley Moss | 21
6-0, 193, 25, 3rd season, Iowa
Moss turned in a really good first year as a full-time starter last fall and has spent training camp making life difficult on just about everybody who lines up across from him.
Punter
Jeremy Crawshaw | 16
6-3, 205, 24, Rookie, Florida
The Broncos wanted an upgrade over Riley Dixon and believe they’ve found it in the rookie, who can send the ball into orbit but needs to be more consistent.
Long snapper
Mitchell Fraboni | 48
6-2, 223, 28, 4th season, Arizona State
A consistent performer who’s developed a substantial track record and got $1.7 million guaranteed on a three-year deal this spring.
