The narrative surrounding the Denver Broncos all offseason has been roster continuity. For a 14-3 team returning 21 of its 22 starters, there aren’t many roster question marks entering Week 1.
But after Jonathon Cooper was placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list in connection with several charges stemming from a pair of domestic violence-related arrests, Denver will now need to replace its second-best pass rusher of the Sean Payton era before a grueling opening stretch of the season.
Cooper has posted 176 pressures in the last three seasons, only 13 less than All-Pro edge rusher Nik Bonitto. He has been on the field for 743 true passing downs since Payton took over, according to .
Cooper’s also been one of the Broncos’ sturdiest run defenders during his career. Vance Joseph called him the team’s “best guy” when the defensive coordinator arrived in 2023, and it has shown on the field. Cooper’s played more snaps than any Denver edge rusher under Joseph — including 300 more snaps than Bonitto. He also fully practiced this offseason and played in the three preseason games while his status for the season was in limbo.
That’s a lot of snaps — production — that the Broncos will need to find from a litany of players. Expect three players to try and fill the void: third-year player Jonah Elliss, second-year edge rusher Que Robinson and third-year linebacker Dondrea Tillman.
None has played a ton in Joseph’s defense. Elliss has been on the field for 38 percent of Denver’s defensive snaps in his first two seasons and Robinson recorded only 10 pressures in his rookie season, according to PFF. Tillman’s the most proven of the three, posting five and four sacks in his two years .
Denver’s coaching staff is confident in its group opposite of Bonitto, though. Expect a lot of rotation. Joseph’s defenses tend to substitute edge rushers frequently and Payton said there will be a snap count for the three rushers against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1.
“There’s certain strengths that they have, whether they fall into more third-down or passing situations. One of the strengths of that front has been our ability to play more than just the starting unit,” Payton said.
Elliss took most of the third edge rusher snaps throughout the summer and seems primed to take the bulk of Cooper’s stats. The third-year linebacker out of Utah almost switched to inside linebacker this offseason before the Broncos maintained his position. He has struggled with injuries, missing several games last year. Denver needs him to be a steadying presence while Cooper’s unavailable.
“The coaches have spent a little extra time with me, really talking about what I needed to improve on, areas I needed to grow,” Elliss about his improvements this offseason.
Tillman is the most proven of the three pass rushers. He recorded at least two pressures in eight games last season and hurried the opposing quarterback 16 times, according to PFF. The former United Football League player has fit in with the Broncos’ edge rotation well over the past few years and could be expected to play a bigger role this year.
But Robinson might be the biggest swing factor for the room. He has received significant praise from coaches and players for the leap he took this offseason. In the preseason, Robinson was the team’s most effective pass rusher, accumulating seven pressures and one sack. He’s also a bigger body at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, meaning he could be on the field for earlier downs.
Joseph said he thinks Robinson can be a “future starter” after watching the tape from the six games he played in last year. His teammates agree.
“The guy I have been super impressed with, and I’ve told him, is Que Robinson,” tight end Evan Engram said at the Broncos’ practice Wednesday. “He’s been a force all camp… He’s definitely growing as a player and he has a bright future ahead of him for sure.”
Denver certainly hopes Robinson’s future — and its other options at edge — arrives sooner rather than later.
