Which Denver Broncos defensive player will lead the team in sacks and tackles in 2022? Will Bradley Chubb have a dominant return to form off the edge for Denver?

Our MHS Broncos staff finalizes their roundtable series ahead of the season.

Which Denver Broncos edge rusher leads the team in sacks?

Cody Roark’s pick: Bradley Chubb

The best-case scenario for the Broncos sack-leader this season should be Bradley Chubb. When healthy, Chubb is extremely disruptive on tape and the hope remains that he will make it through the entirety of this season healthy. If that’s the case, Chubb could have his best season yet since his rookie season in 2018, where he registered 12 sacks.

Zach Segars’ pick: Randy Gregory

This is the toughest question of the exercise by far. The Broncos have a lot of talent on the edge, but two are unknown commodities (Baron Browning and Nic Bonitto), while the other two are known talents with known reliability concerns. Randy Gregory looked like a borderline All-Pro the first half of last year, so we’ll pick him, but he only wins by a hair.

Rich Kurtzman’s pick: Randy Gregory

Randy Gregory. Come on, let’s see some of that big-time money pay off. The Broncos need some huge plays on the edge to disrupt the timing of passes, and not only turn into sacks but picks, too.

Lindsay Bebout’s pick: Bradley Chubb

I debated between Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory, but in the end, decided to choose Chubb. Both are very talented, and it will probably come down to whichever guy can stay the most healthy. If Chubb can stay healthy, I think he has more upside.

Which Broncos interior defensive lineman leads the team in sacks?

Cody Roark’s pick: Dre’Mont Jones

Dre’Mont Jones is approaching a contract year for the Broncos. Jones is a disruptive force on the defensive line where he pressured opposing quarterbacks 21 times in 2021 and had 11 QB hits and 5.5 sacks. 2022 could be Jones’ most dominant season yet.

Zach Segars’ pick: Dre’Mont Jones

D.J. Jones is a playmaker, but he doesn’t offer the pass-rush push that Dre’Mont Jones does. The homegrown talent has long been an underrated star as an interior pass rusher, and now that he’ll have the national spotlight centered on him more, he’s primed for a breakout season.

Rich Kurtzman’s pick: Dre’Mont Jones

Dre’Mont Jones. He had 5.5 sacks last year and most of them came in the second half of the year. Hopefully, he can carry that momentum into 2022. 

Lindsay Bebout’s pick: Dre’Mont Jones

Dre’Mont Jones had the second-most sacks last season, being only one-half-sack behind Shelby Harris. Jones is going into only his fourth season, and I am predicting it will be his most productive season thus far. I think overall, Chubb will be the team’s sack leader, but Jones will be right there behind him.

Which Broncos defensive player leads the team in tackles?

Cody Roark’s pick: Josey Jewell

Last season, the Broncos safety duo of Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons led the team in tackles after the team lost several inside linebackers due to injury. With Josey Jewell’s return this season, he should be the team’s leader in tackles on defense in 2022 due to his instincts for diagnosing plays and plugging in run fits.

Zach Segars’ pick: Josey Jewell

Josey Jewell was playing marvelous football between the end of 2020 and his pectoral injury that cut his 2021 season short. Maybe the most underrated Broncos player, Jewell will be the linchpin of Denver’s defense’s second level.

Rich Kurtzman’s pick: Justin Simmons

I’m going with Simmons here. He had 80 total tackles last season which was second-most last year and he’s really an all-around player. If not Simmons, it will likely be Jewell, but I can’t wait to see Simmons suit up and make plays all over the field this year.

Lindsay Bebout’s pick: Josey Jewell

Josey Jewell is back and ready to get show that 2020 wasn’t a fluke. He’s currently projected to be the team’s number one inside linebacker, and I think that will translate into the team’s sack leader.

The Denver Broncos defense has high expectations coming into this season, especially with their front seven. If core players remain healthy, the Broncos’ defense could be a force to deal with in 2022.