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Broncos Defense

Fuller a big get for Fangio

I sometimes scoff at the salary cap, but it does occasionally force teams' hands on moves they'd prefer not to make. Like Chicago releasing cornerback Kyle Fuller last week. The Broncos swooped in to sign him to a one-year deal; it's a nice get for Vic Fangio's defense.

Denver has ranked outside the top 20 in fantasy defense the last two years. The problem hasn't been pass rush, where it's had 40-42 sacks both seasons. But it was in the bottom 10 in interceptions both seasons; just 10 each year. Fuller should help, since the last time the two worked together, the results were pretty awesome.

Back in 2018, when Fangio was the defensive coordinator in Chicago, Fuller had 7 interceptions, and Chicago as a team had 27. That performance helped Chicago have the league's No. 1 fantasy defense (1 point for sacks, 2 for takeaways, 6 for touchdowns). It's the 13th-best team interception performance this century; No. 1 since 2013. Fangio and Fuller, together again.

TEAM INTERCEPTIONS, 2001-2020
YearTeamInt
2001Cleveland33
2011Green Bay31
2005Cincinnati31
2002Tampa Bay31
2009Green Bay30
2007San Diego30
2003New England29
2013Seattle28
2009Buffalo28
2006Baltimore28
2003Minnesota28
2001Tampa Bay28
2018Chicago27
2009New Orleans26
2008Baltimore26
2004Carolina26
2019New England25
2010New England25
2009Philadelphia25
2003Kansas City25
2002Baltimore25
2015Carolina24
2012Chicago24
2010Green Bay24
2006Chicago24
2005Chicago24
2005Minnesota24
2004Buffalo24
2003Baltimore24
2003St. Louis24
2002Atlanta24
2002Green Bay24
2001San Francisco24
2001Carolina24
2014San Francisco23
2013Buffalo23
2011San Francisco23
2011New England23
2010Philadelphia23
2008Cleveland23
2006Green Bay23
2005Carolina23
2004Seattle23
2004San Diego23
2003San Francisco23
2001Washington23

Denver also signed safety Justin Simmons to a multi-year deal, so that's two key pieces of the secondary. The pass rush should also be better, getting Von Miller back and pairing him with Bradley Chubb (the duo has played only 4 games together the last two seasons).

I'm not sure Denver will have a top-10 fantasy defense this season. But a month ago, when both Miller and Simmons' status were uncertain and Fuller was in Chicago, it looked a lot less likely. Now it's a defense I'll have some interest in for the upcoming season.

--Andy Richardson

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