Broncos DL Preview: Starting group of Shelby Harris, Mike Purcell, Dre'Mont Jones strong, but depth is actually unproven

This is an interesting piece by Ryan O’Halloran from The Denver Post discussing several important news items for the week. Ryan O’Halloran recently posted the article and I thought it was a great post for syndicating here.

Editor’s note: Second in a series previewing each Broncos position group entering the start of training camp on July 27.

When their Week 1 starting defensive line was either lost for the season due to injury or had their year interrupted because of a positive COVID-19 test, the Broncos searched and scrambled for reinforcements.

Unlikely to make the roster when training camp began, DeShawn Williams started 11 of 14 games. Not on a team in August, Sylvester Williams’ second tour with the team included eight games.

Defensive end Jurrell Casey (triceps) and nose tackle Mike Purcell (foot) lasted three and six games, respectively, and defensive end Shelby Harris (coronavirus and knee) missed five games.

The Broncos’ offseason activity, or lack thereof, shows they are counting on Purcell and Harris to stay healthy and third-year end Dre’Mont Jones to take a big leap.

Who’s back

DE Shelby Harris (free agent 2017), DE Dre’Mont Jones (third round ‘19), NT Mike Purcell (free agent ’19), DE/NT McTelvin Agim (third round ’20), DL Jonathan Harris (waivers ’19), DE DeShawn Williams (free agent ’20) and DE Deyon Sizer (free agent ’20).

Harris signed a three-year, $27 million contract to stay with the Broncos. He had 13 pass-rush “disruptions” last year and remains one of the league’s best at batting down passes and providing an interior pass rush.

Purcell’s new contract kicks in this year and he is ideally a base-package player who uses his 328-pound frame to clog up the opponent’s running game.

Jones overcame a Week 2 knee injury to finish with 14 1/2 “disruptions” (including 6 1/2 sacks).

Agim could barely get on the field last year (141 snaps) even with all the injuries. He will need a solid camp to be in the Week 1 rotation.

Who’s new

DE/NT Shamar Stephen (free agent), NT Isaiah Mack (free agent) and DE Marquiss Spencer (seventh round ’21).

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Stephen was previously with the Vikings (former home of Broncos general manager George Paton) and he is penciled in as the fourth lineman. If the Broncos keep five linemen, Spencer faces a climb to make the initial roster because it makes sense to stay with Agim.

Who’s gone

DE DeMarcus Walker (Houston), DE Jurrell Casey (unsigned) and NT Sylvester Williams (unsigned).

Overview

In coach Vic Fangio’s two years, the Broncos’ run defense has been middle-of-the-pack — 120.7 yards per game (13th-fewest), 31 touchdowns (tied 15th-most) and 4.48 yards per carry (tied 10th-most). Getting Purcell for a full season could help them get into the top 10.

If Fangio gets to use more nickel and dime personnel, the Broncos won’t need a two-platoon defensive line, but yikes, their depth is unproven. Uh-oh would be an injury to Harris, Purcell or Jones. That’s a narrow margin for error.

Harris and Jones project to be a dynamic pass-rushing duo regardless of situation.

Number of note

141: Eight Broncos defensive linemen played at least 141 snaps last year compared to five in 2018 and six in ’19. Ending last year on injured reserve were Purcell, Casey and Shelby Harris.

Sunday: Running backs.