Broncos defensive line is making its case as the team’s best unit

Ask Zach Bye which Broncos position group has stood tallest through camp and co-host of “The Drive” on Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan doesn’t hesitate. He points to the defensive line — and he’s convinced most of Broncos Country would agree.

As Bye put it, “If you asked 10 members of Broncos Country or even 100, 80 of them might have said that anyway.”

The optimism around the offense has dominated much of the offseason conversation. But that’s overlooking the team’s strength.

“We talk about this offensive line and how highly rated they are by these certain outlets. We talk about the quarterback taking a step forward, a rejuvenated run game, there’s a lot of reasons to be optimistic about the ’26 Broncos. But those guys up front are a problem,” Bye explained.

And for Denver, that’s the kind of problem you want.

The departure of John Franklin-Myers created real questions about whether the defensive front could maintain its level of play. Phillip Lindsay, the other co-host of “The Drive,” admitted he had concerns too.

“I thought there was going to be a drop off after John Franklin Myers left. And right now, it doesn’t look like a drop off, it looks like some of the depth players are stepping up, some of these younger guys are taking advantage of their opportunities,” Lindsay added.

Two of those players — Eyioma Uwazurike and Malcolm Roach — have been disruptive enough that Bye labeled them specifically as “problems” in their own right. Their emergence has helped stabilize a unit many expected to take a step back.

But the defensive line isn’t the only group with a claim to the throne. The secondary remains loaded with star power.

With 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II, former All‑Pro Talanoa Hufanga, and playmakers Brandon Jones and Ja’Quan McMillian — especially McMillian’s standout performance in the divisional round in Buffalo — the back end is stacked.

If Bye is still calling the defensive line the best unit on a team featuring PS2in a different unit, that speaks volumes about how disruptive the front has been.

Bye also highlighted the “young and hungry” players who waited behind Franklin‑Myers, including Sai’vion Jones and Matt Henningsen. His reaction to Henningsen’s camp performance said plenty.

“Guys, Matt Henningsen multiple times today made me go like wait whoa! He is showing real flashes,” he explained.

Lindsay summed up the importance of the group simply.

“You have to secure the trenches and you are nothing without your offensive and defensive line,” he added.

Whether the defensive line ultimately claims the title of the team’s best unit will play out over the coming weeks. But one thing is clear: The Broncos are positioned to benefit either way.

And as Gary Kubiak once said, “We’re fixin to find out.”

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