4-EYED IDP TEAM PREVIEW: DENVER BRONCOS (2021)

Nate Marcum

In this second part of our Broncos’ 4-EYED TEAM PREVIEW, we’re going to be covering the Broncos’ IDPs that you should consider rostering for the 2021 fantasy football season.

The Denver Broncos defense isn’t going to make any excuses for their play last year. They finished 24th against the run, 17th against the pass, and 25th in points allowed. Yes, they could point to the losses of Von Miller, A.J. Bouye, Jurrell Casey, and others for their poor defensive rankings. That being said the Broncos aren’t wasting time looking to the past for answers. They’re already moving forward and seeing how this defense can help get them to another Super Bowl championship in 2021.

I, on the other hand, am looking to find the players in the Mile High City who can help YOU win a fantasy championship in 2021.

Who are they?

Find out now in our 2021 Broncos’ IDP Team Preview

Defensive Line/Edge

Dre’Mont Jones (Current ADP: DL80)

Jones had a very productive 2020 after Jurrell Casey went down for the season in Week 2. After returning from his own injury, he took his opportunity and ran with it. He was so impressive down the stretch that head coach Vic Fangio has given him the keys to the defensive end position in 2021. Last years’ finish of DL51 doesn’t really tell the story of his season. He might have finished as a high-end DL5, but his per-game average (10.5 fppg), would have put him closer to the DL3 conversation. Jones will look to lead this defensive line again in production, and with a healthy set of LB’s, the upside is there. The 22% win rate on pass rushes was 16th best among DL in 2020. Be quick to jump if he comes out hot.

Von Miller (Current ADP: DL33/LB52)

The shimmer isn’t completely gone, but it is definitely starting to fade. Once one of the most feared defenders in the game, Miller really hasn’t been that effective of a defender since 2018 when he registered double-digit sacks. Last years’ devastating ankle injury cost him the entire season, but it appears early on this offseason that he looks to be healthy and ready to return to his 2018 form. The key to a productive season out of Miller is obviously his own health, but almost equally as important is the health of his counterpart, Bradley Chubb. When those two are on the field together, they are disruptive a unit as there is in the NFL. I’d recommend drafting him as your DL3 but be prepared to cut bait early on if he doesn’t impress.

Bradley Chubb (Current ADP: DL14/LB26)

As Bradley Chubb goes, the Denver Broncos go. In 2019, when Chubb missed the season due to a torn ACL, Von Miller had his 1st season with 10 or fewer sacks since 2013. Last year, despite not having Von Miller, Chubb had a very productive year. In 14 games, he registered 42 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 1 FF, resulting in him being the DL36 on the season. It wasn’t just the final fantasy numbers that we should focus on. Chubb was 10th in the NFL in hurries and 12th in total pressures. As mentioned earlier, a full season of Miller and Chubb could vault both up a respective tier, with Chubb entering the DL1 conversation.

Linebacker

Josey Jewell (Current ADP: LB92)

Jewell enters 2021 on the heels of a career year in which he tallied 113 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, and 4 passes defended. The Iowa product wasn’t expected to make such a huge leap in production in 2020 due to his place on the depth chart, but with Mark Barron’s injuries and no Todd Davis, the opportunity presented itself. It remains to be seen if he will follow up such a good season with comparable play in 2021, but a starting gig opposite AJ Johnson, and the supporting cast, 80+ tackles is a pretty safe floor for his output this season.

Alexander Johnson (Current ADP: LB51)

Johnson topped the 1,000 snap plateau for the first time last season and returned good value in the process. His 72 solo tackles led the Broncos, and his 57 run-stopping tackles were 5th best in the NFL. Jewell and Johnson actually provided one of the more consistent ILB groups in the NFL. They both ranked inside the Top 20 for the fewest missed tackles on run plays. From an IDP standpoint, Johnson has the ability to provide decent profit as the LB51 if he can return last years’ numbers (LB29/14fppg).

Malik Reed

Malik Reed led the team in sacks last year and is someone to just monitor as the season progresses. He filled in nicely for Von Miller last year, but without an injury, is just a rotational piece.

Defensive Back

Justin Simmons (Current ADP: DB11)

One of the top DB’s in IDP formats, you have to go back to 2017 to see a finish lower than DB24. You also have to go back to 2017 to see him take a snap off! An unheralded IronMan to say the least! Last year was Simmons’ 3rd straight season with at least 90 tackles and 3 INTs. During that span, he has finished as the DB24, DB7, and DB9. Playing the more traditional Free Safety role, Simmons has the ability to produce some impactful pass breakup numbers, as he did in 2019 when he led all safeties with 11 (per PFF). Simmons was paid this off-season and looks like the FS for the Broncos for the foreseeable future.

Kareem Jackson (Current ADP: DB55)

Jackson has had one hell of a career. Entering his 3rd year with Denver, and 12th overall, not much left is there to prove. Yes, the speed is starting to erode, as is the overall athleticism, but his ability to make an impact is still there. He finished 2020 as the DB37, with a career-high 90 tackles! This is most likely as a result of the career-high 277 snaps in the box. Consider Jackson a safe DB3/4 this season with a high tackle upside.

That’s all for our Broncos’ IDP coverage for today. Stay tuned tomorrow for our double coverage of another AFC West team, the Los Angeles Chargers.

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