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Broncos Defense

Secondary concerns for 2019 disappointment

The Broncos Defense was one of 2019's bigger fantasy disappointments. It was a bottom-10 group (1 point for sacks, 2 for takeaways) after ranking in the top 10 in three of the previous four years. And it might be further weakened in 2020.

Chris Harris is headed for free agency; he's one of the league's best cornerbacks. Safety Justin Simmons (pictured), one of two defensive backs (the other is Tennessee's Logan Ryan) to rank in the top 15 at the position in both tackles and interceptions, is also set to be a free agent, although Denver reportedly plans to franchise him if they can't reach a long-term deal before the deadline.

Most likely, Simmons stays and Harris goes. Denver has been floated as a possibility to try and acquire Lions corner Darius Slay. Perhaps changes in the secondary will help this defense in terms of interceptions after it disappointed in two of the last three years.

In 2018, the Broncos had 17 picks, which was a top-5 number. In both 2017 and 2019, though, Denver had only 10 interceptions. They were bottom 10 both seasons. Their total of 37 over those three years ranked 22nd in the league.

INTERCEPTIONS, 2017-2019
Team'17'18'19Total
New England12182555
LA Rams18181349
Buffalo18161448
Baltimore22121347
Kansas City16151647
New Orleans20121345
Chicago8271045
Pittsburgh1682044
Washington16151344
Minnesota14121743
Indianapolis13151543
Miami9211343
Seattle14121642
Jacksonville21111042
LA Chargers18131142
Philadelphia19101140
NY Giants13161039
Houston11151238
Cleveland7171438
Tennessee12111437
Carolina10131437
Denver10171037
NY Jets11131236
Green Bay1171735
Atlanta8151235
Tampa Bay1391234
Cincinnati11121134
Detroit197733
Arizona157729
Oakland514928
Dallas109726
San Francisco1021224

Denver's pass rush should be good again, with Von Miller returning and Bradley Chubb healthy. Getting more opportunism out of the secondary will be necessary for it to return to being a top-1o fantasy group.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index