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[Denver Broncos]

The Broncos’ group of edge rushers has the chance to be special in 2025

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

After helping the Denver Broncos lead the league in sacks in 2024, the team’s group of edge rushers could be even better this coming season.

The Denver Broncos led the National Football League with a franchise-best 63 sacks in 2024. For the 2025 season, fans are optimistic that the team can achieve a similar performance as last year in the pass rushing department.

A big reason for their prowess getting after the quarterback was due to their group of edge rushers. Both Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper had career years. The starting edge duo combined for 24 sacks last season. It the first time two edge rushers secured double digits for the Broncos since 2018.

As is the case with many other positions, the Broncos are bringing back their top edge rushers from their ‘24 campaign. That continuity will bode well for them in ‘25, but even better—the team did add some talent and depth to the position via the NFL Draft and undrafted free agency.

How good can Denver’s corps of edge rushers be this coming season? Let’s discuss.

2025 Denver Broncos Edge Rusher Review​

Nik Bonitto — Premier Pass Rushing Starter

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, fourth-year edge rusher Nik Bonitto is coming off the best season of his career. Bonitto experienced a catastrophic leap in development and production last season and helped propel the defense to being one of the best in the NFL.

He notched career highs in multiple categories with 48 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and 24 quarterback hits and a couple of defensive touchdowns. His playmaking ability helped turn the tide in several Broncos games last season. For his efforts, he was an All-Pro and Pro-Bowl player. The former Oklahoma Sooners’ standout even came in ninth in the Defensive Player of the Year Voting.

His top-tier athleticism and supreme get-off at the line of scrimmage make it tough for opposing offensive tackles. Without question, he is a premier pass rushing threat. However, he still has some work to do relative to setting the edge and defending the run. Can he become an overall elite player in ‘25? That’s one of the biggest storylines to watch.

Nevertheless, his ability to generate sacks, pressures, and even make plays in coverage make him on of the league’s rising stars at the position. At some point in time in the future, Bonitto will be one of the highest-paid edge rushers in the league.

Nik Bonitto said GOODBYE. #BroncosCountry

NFL, ESPN pic.twitter.com/AWC0tqzJ5N

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 3, 2024

Jonathon Cooper — The Steady Veteran Starter

A seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jonathon Cooper has been one of the most pleasant Day 3 draft surprises for the franchise in recent memory.

Over the course of his rookie contract, Cooper has appeared in 64 games with 48 starts for the Broncos. The past two seasons, he has been a seventeen-game starter and played quite well with a significant increase in snaps. Last offseason, the Broncos awarded Cooper with a multi-year deal to keep him in the Mile Hile City for the foreseeable future.

He’s a well-rounded player that performs well against both the run and the pass. Last year, he had a career best 10.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits. At just 27 years of age, it’s safe to say Cooper’s entering the prime years of his career and certainly has the chance to become even better in 2025. Overall, Cooper’s toughness, leadership, and production are great qualities that help Denver sport one of the best edge rushing duos in the NFL.

Jonah Elliss — Promising Second-Year Backup

In the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Broncos selected Jonah Elliss from Utah to give the unit some much needed depth.

In his first season in Denver, the former Ute didn’t disappoint. Elliss had a quality rookie campaign and played on special teams and as a backup for the season. In the game’s third phase, he played 257 snaps and saw 434 snaps on defense. Overall, he logged 38 tackles and 5 sacks. I’d call that a successful rookie season in the pros.

For 2025, I expect him to continue to be a consistent and reliable dual-phase player for Denver. He has a nose for the football and does a good job making plays in the backfield. Even if he never becomes a starter, he will play a long time in the league due to his overall ability and high football IQ.

Dondrea Tillman — Underrated Backup

The Broncos have a unique history unearthing diamonds in the rough and last year was no exception. Before joining the Broncos as a free agent in 2024, Dondrea Tillman was a USFL and UFL standout and won three consecutive championships.

Tillman was waived at the end of training camp but was signed to the active roster early on in the season. Eventually, he assumed the fourth spot on the depth chart after the Broncos traded Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals. Appearing in 12 games, Tillman played 242 defensive snaps and 204 special teams snaps. He had 23 tackles and five sacks.

Like Ellis, Tillman is a quality backup player. I was very impressed with his strength at the point of attack and his ability to defend against the run. It’s clear that his prior experience helped him hit the ground running in his first season in the pros. I definitely think he made the most of his opportunities and can get even better this season.

Former @USFLStallions DE Dondrea Tillman has been PRODUCING for the #Broncos, with 17 tackles & 3 sacks on the season so far (9 games).@dondreatillman2 spent three years in Birmingham, and was one of the #UFL's top edge rushers this past season. It was only a matter of time… pic.twitter.com/g7iZwpiw3Y

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) December 16, 2024

Que Robinson — Developmental Backup and Special Teams

After spending four years with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Que Robinson finally got a chance for increased snaps as a fifth-year senior after the departure of several high-profile edge rushers to the NFL.

An elbow injury cut his final collegiate year short, but he was still able to show enough in half a season’s worth of play to be drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round this past April. With limited collegiate snaps in defensive packages, the rookie edge rusher will have to make a name for himself on special teams to contribute this season.

Nick Saban once called Robinson one of the best special teams' players he has ever coached. That’s the type of role I’d expect from him this year—a contributor and core player on special teams. If he can earn some snaps on defense and generate some pass rush—even better, but with four players already ahead of him, I don’t see him getting a hefty number of defensive snaps in year one.

Everyone Else — Practice Squad Candidates

Unless someone is injured, it’s safe to say the top five listed above are the core that makes the Broncos’ final 53-man roster. For most of last season, the team opted just to carry four edge rushers. I think that changes this year. With Tillman’s impressive play and the addition of Robinson, I believe the team will go five deep at the position for the ‘25 season. That being said, Johnny Walker Jr. and Andrew Farmer are prime candidates for the team’s practice squad.

Final Thoughts

The Broncos’ edge rusher group is a strength of the team. It’s a well-rounded group that demonstrated tremendous ability to get after the pass rusher last season. Their ascent really helped take Vance Joseph’s defense to the next level. It’s hard to envision a scenario where these players don’t continue to take a leap forward. All in all, I think their group of edge rushers is going to be even better this season.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/8/24463336/broncos-2025-positional-review-edge-rusher

 

[Denver Broncos]

IDL Malcolm Roach will be a key member of the Broncos run defense this upcoming season

Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

Roach signed with the Broncos last offseason and became a valuable rotational piece for their defense.

Last offseason, the Denver Broncos signed former Saints defensive linemen Malcolm Roach to a two-year deal to add some depth and run-stopping ability to their defensive line. He was needed because the Broncos' run defense was atrocious the season before, and they put an emphasis on improving that area of their defense during the offseason. Roach would join John Franklin-Myers as the key additions to the Broncos' defensive line, and as we know, the results were noticeable from the start.

The Broncos would go on to allow the third-fewest amount of yards on the ground, the second-lowest yards per carry, and the third-lowest amount of rushing touchdowns. Now, this was a total group effort as the Broncos' defense was among the best in the league last season, but Roach was a big part of their improvements in run defense.

Now, Roach enters year two with the Broncos on a defense that looks even better on paper than last season. The additions of Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, and Jahdae Barron should help take this defense to the next level this upcoming season. Once again, Roach will be a key rotational defensive lineman for the Broncos and will look to be a big part of their run defense efforts this upcoming season.

Player Profile​

Malcolm Roach | Defensive Line | Broncos​

Height: 6-3

Weight: 290 pounds

Age: 27 years old

Experience: 6th NFL season

2024 stats: Played in all 17 games, including 1 start, and totaled 43 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections.

Broncos IDL Malcolm Roach’s 2025 Outlook​

Last season for the Broncos, Roach played a total of 489 snaps, which came out to be 42% of the defensive snaps on the year. I would expect him to have a similar snap share once again this upcoming season and be a valuable rotational defensive lineman for their defense.

He is a run-stopping specialist, so he will likely come in for John Franklin-Myers in certain packages while also providing depth behind starting nose tackle D.J. Jones. You need a healthy rotation along the defensive line to keep everyone fresh throughout the year, and Roach will be a big part of that.

The Broncos' defense looks improved on paper and is widely viewed as one of the top units in the entire NFL currently. If they want to live up to those expectations, they will need Roach to be a monster in the run game like he was last season for them. Again, it is a collective effort, but he has one job, and he is very good at it.

Roach is also playing for a new contract as well this season. He is entering the final year of his two-year deal with the Broncos and joins a long list of Broncos who could be free agents at the end of the year. I believe there will be mutual interest on both sides to get something done, and if Roach has another good year, I believe the Broncos will try to find a way to keep him around.

Final Thoughts​

I am a big fan of Malcolm Roach’s game. He was brought in to help improve the Broncos' run game, and they went from being one of the worst in the league to being one of the best in the league. He is a very valuable rotational player for the team and one who will be counted on once again this upcoming season.

Like Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers, Roach is a free agent at the end of the year, and the Broncos have some tough decisions to make. I do not see them allowing Zach Allen to leave, and I believe they will try to find a way to keep Roach as well. We have a long way to go before we go down that road, but something to keep an eye on as we progress throughout the year.

The Broncos' defense is expected to be one of the best units in the NFL this upcoming year, and Malcolm Roach will be an underrated but key member of their success this season.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025...roster-review-defensive-lineman-malcolm-roach

 

[Denver Broncos]

Broncos depth chart heading into training camp

Taking a look at what the Broncos depth chart may look like heading into training camp

With Denver Broncos training camp only days away from starting, it is a good time to take a look at their projected depth chart heading into camp. On paper, the team looks much improved from previous years, and the team has more depth and competition up and down the roster.

The Broncos were active this offseason and added key members to the offense, defense, and even on special teams. These additions have shaken up the depth chart a bit and have some players who originally were on the roster suddenly fighting for a roster spot.

Since the Broncos have yet to release an official depth chart, I will be using the one on Ourlads.com as a reference. So, with all that said, let us take a look at the Denver Broncos' depth chart as they near the start of training camp.

Notes​

• QB: The Denver Broncos QB room seems set heading into camp, with each player in designated roles. Bo Nix is your starter, Jarrett Stidham is your backup, and Sam Ehlinger is your third-string backup. No drama, no competition, and hopefully, all three perform well.
• RB: At running back, things get interesting behind rookie RJ Harvey and veteran JK Dobbins. Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson will all be competing for one or two spots on the Broncos' 53-man roster.
• WR: Suddenly, the Broncos' wide receiver room looks fairly deep and set heading into camp. Courtland Sutton is WR1 with Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele, and rookie Pat Bryant all competing for roles on offense. Veteran Trent Sherfield is your special-teams guy and likely a lock for a roster spot. After that, the rest will be pushing to make it difficult for the team to cut them and/or fighting for a handful of spots on the Broncos' practice squad
• TE: At tight end, Evan Engram was brought in to be Sean Payton’s ‘Joker’ in the passing offense. Behind him, Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins will have the same role they had last season as the blocking specialists. The most intriguing player of this group is rookie tight end Caleb Lohner. He is a former basketball player transitioning to tight end and has been compared to former Saints great Jimmy Graham. He will be one of the intriguing players to watch during training camp. Rounding out this group are Lucas Krull and rookie Caden Prieskorn, who are fighting for a roster spot or a spot on the practice squad.
• OL: The Broncos have all five starters returning along the offensive line as well as their key reserves. With no starting jobs up for grabs, all eyes will be on the reserves, where we could have an intriguing UDFA group push for a spot or two on the 53-man roster. The line looks better and much deeper than in previous years, where you had questions throughout this entire unit.

Notes​

• IDL: The Broncos' defensive line looks the same as last season, outside of the addition of intriguing third-round pick Sai’vion Jones. This unit was very good last season and will look to repeat that success this upcoming season.
• EDGE: Like their defensive line, they have the same core returning from last season. Nik Bonitto is coming off a breakout year and will look to build off that in a contract year. Joining this unit is intriguing, 4th-round pick Que Robinson, who was a standout during the OTA and minicamp practices.
• LB: One of the Broncos' biggest additions this offseason was signing veteran linebacker Dre Greenlaw. If healthy, he will be a huge addition to this defense. They are also getting back starting linebacker Alex Singleton, who is coming off a torn ACL. Behind these two, you have “pressure player” Drew Sanders, special teams standout Justin Strnad, along with Levelle Bailey, JB Brown, Karene Reid, and Jordan Turner. It will be interesting to see if any of the UDFA players can push for a roster spot.
• CB: Headlining this group is reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II. He will look to repeat that honor this upcoming season and lead the Broncos' defense to success. Then you have rookie first-round pick Jahdae Barron, who is expected to start in year one, along with third-year corner Riley Moss. Ja’Quan McMillian will serve as a depth player and potentially be on the trading block, while second-year corner Kris Abrams-Draine will look to build off a good rookie year. After that, you have Damarri Mathis, Mario Goodrich, Reese Taylor, Quinton Newsome, Jaden Robinson, and Joshua Pickett all competing for a spot with the team.
• S: Brandon Jones is coming off a breakout year for the Broncos last year, and now will be joined by Talanoa Hufanga, who signed with the team during free agency. These two will give the Broncos a very talented duo in the back of their defense. Safety P.J. Locke is coming off offseason spinal fusion surgery, so how he recovers will be something to keep an eye on. Former Panthers safety Sam Franklin was brought in as a special-teams ace while Devon Key, JL Skinner, and Delarrin Turner-Yell are all competing for a roster spot.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/9/24461648/broncos-depth-chart-heading-into-training-camp