Denver Broncos 24.3 PPG, Sacks 42: Tied 21st

The Denver Broncos have not won a playoff games since winning Super Bowl 50, this year will be Super Bowl 59. Prior to this stretch the Denver Broncos have not experienced back-to-back losing seasons in its history, dating back to 1960. Now they have seven, S-E-V-E–N losing seasons in a row. 

Prior to Denver’s Super Bowl victory the great Vic Ketchman stated, ‘the Broncos mortgaged their future, to win a Super Bowl… (we shall see) if it is worth it’. Some paraphrasing in there but that is the brunt of it. Two American Football Conference championships, one Super Bowl victory… it’s hard to argue with the results, but Broncos fans are going through a historic low, and are hoping for a bounce back season with a rookie quarterback. To do that they will need help from their defense.

2024 Projection: 26th

The slightest of bumps in performance is projected for the 2024 Denver Broncos. After all it will be easy to improve on allowing 24.3 points per game. There are some new faces on the Broncos defense, some veterans are on the starting roster but the two draft picks are currently in reserves. The Broncos will have to improve mostly with what they have. 

The interesting aspect of Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph is he was the head coach when some of his IDPs were drafted. Joseph, like Wade Phillips, came back to be a coordinator after being let go as the head coach. A bad defense can mean great numbers for IDPs, and the Denver Broncos have a bonafide stud that should be on the “to draft list”.

BEST FF IDPs: In Order of Ranking

LB – Alex Singleton

DB – Brandon Jacobs
LB –  Jonathan Cooper

Alex Singleton has proven he is one of the top three linebackers of this decade, after a slow start to his career. Singleton has recorded 120 or more tackles in each of the last four seasons, and 177 last year with the Denver Broncos. Of those 177, 106 were solo tackles… in fact Singleton has recorded 100 or more solo tackles in both his seasons with the Broncos.

Despite astronomical tackling numbers, Singleton has not earned one Pro Bowl or All Pro nomination. It will be difficult to deny him if he reaches those high numbers again, particularly with sacks and passes defended to add to the tackles. Singleton may be ignored by the voting committee but not the IDP community. He is often one of the first linebackers listed, and one of the first taken, even if they haven’t watched a Broncos game in this decade. If you want him to not hesitate to grab him as one of the first (or the first) linebackers of the board. He is a true set and forget linebacker and having a fantasy football player that can do that is valuable regardless of the position.

Brandon Jones is being asked to replace Justin Simmons, no easy task but Jones will have a more prominent role than he did with the Miami Dolphins. Jones only started 30 games in a combined four years, but should be expected to start 17 for the Denver Broncos. He will almost certainly see career best numbers in multiple categories as his utilization will go up in Vance Joseph’s defense.

Jones recorded 48 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 2 interceptions in 16 games of 2023, and as a defensive back those are not terrible. Fantasy managers will need more than those numbers to validate a draft pick, and they will increase. Teams will avoid throwing toward Patrick Surtain II which will put Jones in position for more stats. Do not reach for him but he is a great second to last or last pick option for a team that waits to draft IDPs. Much more value in leagues which require two defensive backs.

Jonathon Cooper is a seventh round draft selection, but he has carved out a nice role for the Denver Broncos. He had a breakthrough season last year with 17 games started, more than his previous two seasons combined. He also earned 72 tackles, 13 quarterback hits, 8.5 acks, 8 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, and had a coshare of the NFL lead in defensive touchdowns. Impressive for a seventh round edge rusher.

He is an often overlooked edge pressure IDP, and in leagues with dual designation he could have defensive linemen and linebacker designation. This is an excellent bonus and if the Broncos play with a positive game script then Cooper can have ten or more sacks in addition to his 72+ tackles. 

He is not a coveted or popular IDP, and can be scooped in later rounds as a valuable pass rusher. In leagues which require “edge” rushers, he has an even greater value. Keep an eye on him and take him with a later draft pick.

Tomorrow the Indianapolis Colts.

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

All statistics come from pro-football-reference and Sleeperbot.