3. DE Malik Jackson
I debated putting both Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe in this spot, but in the end, I had to go with Jackson; he’s simply played more snaps for this defense.
But both guys have had outstanding contract seasons, and this offseason, they’re going to get paaaaaaiiiiiiid.
Jackson, especially, has taken the step from solid contributor to full-time star, and he’s only getting better. In fact, next to Von Miller, Jackson has Pro Football Focus’ highest grade for any Denver Broncos player (23.9), and three of his five best games have come in the last three weeks.
And as we covered last week, Jackson is leading the league in one of football’s most-underrated stats, the batted pass.
Before this season, it would have been safe to wonder if Jackson could take his success as a contributing player into a more meaningful, full-time roll, but after 14 straight starts and the numbers to back him up, it’s clear that Jackson will be a starter in this league for a long, long time.
Mark my words: Before his career is done, he’ll have several Pro Bowls under his belt.
