Broncos’ Defensive Line is the Foundation of Their Success

Beware of Bonitto

Let’s start with one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the league– Nik Bonitto.  Bonitto has been otherworldly so far this season, leading the NFL in sacks with eight. Eight sacks through six weeks is elite production, especially considering some of the offensive lines he’s matched up against.  

Bonitto has 3.5 sacks in his last two games, including 2.5 against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. If it wasn’t for Bonitto and the rest of the defensive line, Denver most likely would not have been able to come back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter.  Having such a scary presence in Bonitto on the defensive line certainly plays a factor, along with his teammates being able to do damage as well.

When you think of the Broncos’ defensive line, Bonitto immediately comes to mind.  But if you look past the 6-foot-3-inch,  240-pound nightmare, there are a lot of other essential pieces that don’t get enough attention.

Supporting Cast

The main characteristic that stands out about this defensive line compared to previous Broncos teams is that there aren’t just one or two elite impact players; the line is extremely balanced with new heroes each week. Take linebacker Justin Strnad, for example. After having a sluggish start to the season, Strnad had a very strong showing against the Jets.  He notched 1.5 sacks in the win and was a key piece to the Broncos holding on in that game.

Strnad is also leading the Broncos in blitzes on the quarterback with 21, along with his teammate Alex Singleton. Singleton, another linebacker, also has two quarterback hurries to pair with his blitzes. His ability to constantly pressure opponents’ offensive lines and get to the quarterback is always a plus to have on a defensive line.

Another unsung hero for the Broncos on the front line this year is Zach Allen.  Allen went All-Pro last season and even got votes for Defensive Player Of The Year. In 2025, he hasn’t let up. Allen leads the Broncos in quarterback knockdowns with nine, almost doubling the total of second place (five). Allen also set a career high in sacks last year (8.5) and will look to break that personal best this season.

Impact of Coordinators

I can sit here and praise the players for hours and hours, but the person who really deserves the credit is defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.  Since the week three loss to the Chargers, Joseph has completely revamped the Broncos’ defensive scheme. 

Early on in the season, Denver was playing more conservatively, rushing just four and dropping back into coverage. This plan didn’t generate enough pressure, causing teams to be able to draw up huge plays and punish the defense.

Since then, Joseph has called blitzes far more frequently. This has caused far more pressure to be put on offensive lines and quarterbacks. In their next matchup, the Broncos will look to continue that trend as they face a young quarterback in Jaxson Dart. A young, inexperienced quarterback might struggle against a great defensive line.

Another underrated part of Joseph’s defensive plan is his management of snap counts. Unlike past seasons, where top pass rushers are forced to play nearly every down, this year’s defense benefits from a deep and strategic rotation that’s keeping players fresh deep into the fourth quarter.

For example, Bonitto, despite leading the NFL in sacks, hasn’t been overworked. The Broncos have kept him at a healthy 65–70% of defensive snaps per game, allowing him to stay explosive on key downs.  The lighter workload is paying off, especially in comeback situations.

Denver’s next matchup against the Giants will be a great opportunity for the defensive line to continue its dominance. Facing a young quarterback like Dart could be a great opportunity to give him a “welcome to the league” moment.  Don’t be fooled, though, Dart has freakish athleticism and pocket presence. Overall, this Broncos team couldn’t do it without the defensive line.