The Denver Broncos have one of the strongest defensive units in the NFL.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, is currently on the team's roster, and it finished the 2024 season near the top of league in numerous statistics. The Broncos averaged the third-fewest points allowed per game (18.3), in addition to leading all teams in sacks (63) and ranking tied-seventh in turnovers (25).
The team's defensive line, specifically, has also garnered praise, including most recently by Pro Football Focus' Zoltán Buday, who placed the Broncos' defensive line in the top quartile of the league.
"The Broncos' defensive line might be the deepest in the league, with seven players ranking among the top 50 at their respective positions in PFF overall grade in 2024. Denver's defense generated pressure on a league-leading 40.7% of plays without blitzing, showing what the defensive line is capable of," Buday wrote. "The unit is led by interior defenders John Franklin-Myers and Zach Allen. The former generated pressure on 14.7% of pass plays, which ranked second among interior defenders, while the latter's 13.2% clip ranked seventh at the position."
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) reacts with defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) after a play in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High.
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) reacts with defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) after a play in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High.
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
One member of the Broncos' defensive line, however, had a problem with where the Broncos appeared on the list. Defensive end John Franklin-Myers, who joined the Broncos ahead of last season, took to social media to voice his displeasure with Buday placing his unit in the No. 8 spot.
"Yo who made this [expletive] list?" Franklin Myers wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on June 27.
The Broncos will be looking to claim their first division title in a decade and usurp the Kansas City Chiefs atop the AFC West when the 2025 regular season rolls around in September. And the team's defensive line, which could use this snub as fuel to their fire, will likely play a significant role in whatever success it garners in pursuit of that goal.