The Denver Broncos entered this offseason needing to address their defensive line and the depth behind the starters. George Paton and Sean Payton did just that, boosting that unit’s overall value on paper, which should provide tangible results in 2024.

Denver Broncos addition of John Franklin-Myers makes DL group even better in 2024

John Franklin-Myers could arguably be the most impactful offseason move the Denver Broncos made this offseason. After acquiring him during the 2024 NFL Draft, the Broncos addressed one of their most significant roster needs and are getting a veteran player who can have an immediate impact.

Franklin-Myers, Zach Allen, and D.J. Jones are the expected starters in Denver’s 3-4 defensive scheme, with Allen and Franklin-Myers solidifying the defensive end position and Jones manning the tackle spot. These three players are unique because they can be interchangeable on the defensive line, possessing the ability to play defensive end and tackle. This will allow defensive line coach Jamar Cain to become creative with different pressure styles.

Speaking of pressure, that’s precisely what JFM brings to the table. While sacks are an essential metric that showcases defensive stops, pressures are just as significant in disrupting a quarterback’s flow or rhythm inside the pocket. Before he became a long-term starter, he was generating pressure as a role player. In his first season with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, he had 17 pressures in 16 games as a non-starter. In 2020, he appeared in 15 games and started two for the New York Jets, accumulating 23 pressures. He started and played in all 16 games in 2021, coming up with 25 pressures. He hovered around that mark in 2022 totaling 21 pressures, and he came up with a career-high 27 pressures in 2023. He’s strong at the point of attack, creates backfield penetration on a consistent basis, and frees up outside linebackers to have more one-on-one matchups against offensive tackles.

His addition is huge and will benefit the Broncos front seven as a whole, alongside Allen and Jones.

Broncos defensive line depth has strong options

With Allen, Jones, and Franklin-Myers projected as the team’s starters at defensive end and tackle, the depth behind those players becomes crucially important if the defense hopes to stay fresh in the trenches.

In free agency, the Broncos added former New Orleans Saints defender Malcolm Roach and former Jacksonville Jaguars veteran Angelo Blackson to the mix. Both names aren’t considered an every-down player, which makes it easy to project that Cain can rotate Jones, Blackson, and Roach consistently to keep the interior defensive line fresh. Both players stood out during OTAs and minicamp and are expected to be the top rotational options for Cain, defensively.

Behind both veteran options, Denver has some younger players in terms of roster personnel, featuring players like Matt Henningsen, Elijah Garcia, Jordan Jackson, undrafted rookie free agents Brandon Matterson and Jordan Miller, plus UFL star Dondrea Tillman potentially getting into the mix on the defensive line.

Henningsen, a former sixth-rounder in the 2022 NFL Draft has a lot of competition to keep a spot in the rotation on the defensive line. He’s had some moments here and there over the course of the last two seasons and has been a reliable role player, but continued development is important. He’ll have to have a strong camp and preseason in comparison to the other players mentioned above in order to maintain his roster spot.

Garcia made the 53-man roster last year after having an impressive preseason showcase but didn’t see as much time as anticipated during the regular season. He’ll look to rotate in at defensive end and defensive tackle for Cain. He may have a bigger chance to see more impactful reps in the preseason this year compared to last year and will be a name to watch as one of the team’s more promising developmental players.

Jackson spent most of 2023 on the team’s practice squad and looked solid during the team’s offseason program, but he’ll likely have to stand out consistently during camp and preseason in order to make the strongest case for the active roster. He should end up returning to the practice squad if he doesn’t.

With Denver’s trend of finding undrafted gems, Matterson and Miller will be looking to make themselves the next find by the team. Matterson is 6-foot-2, 295 pounds, and will likely play at defensive tackle. Miller is 6-foot-3, 307 pounds, and is designated as a nose tackle. With veteran players like Roach and Blackson likely ahead of them, they’ll have to stand out in a way that makes it undeniable for them to make the active roster. The best outlook for them right now is to land on the team’s practice squad and further develop.

Denver Broncos roster at defensive line

  • D.J. Jones
  • John Franklin-Myers
  • Zach Allen
  • Angelo Blackson
  • Malcolm Roach
  • Elijah Garcia
  • Matt Henningsen
  • Jordan Miller
  • Brandon Matterson
  • Jordan Jackson

* Eyioma Uwazurike is still suspended indefinitely by the NFL, but his hearing for reinstatement should be approaching shortly after rookies report for training camp on July 17. He hasn’t had access to any team meetings or strength and conditioning workouts since being suspended.