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I had an interesting question posed to me on Wednesday from our SB Nation overlords and it really got me thinking. And then it got me paralyzed by indecision.
Who actually has been the best new addition to the Denver Broncos so far this season?
Here is the list of candidates we came up with:
- Vance Joseph
- Mike McCoy
- Bill Musgrave
- Jamaal Charles
- Domata Peko
- Shelby Harris
- Garett Bolles
- Ron Leary
All seven of these coaches and players have contributed in extremely positives ways to the Broncos 3-1 start, but who has made the biggest overall impact?
My vote went to Domata Peko. Nose Tackle is responsible for so much of the positive impact either side of the defensive line has. If that position is playing at a high level, the defensive line has less to worry about on both sides of that nose position.
Peko came in here looking like a washed up old guy and has instead fortified the middle of that defense and turn it into a force to be reckoned with.
According to PFF, the Broncos have four defensive linemen in the Top 31 grades in run stopping efficiency.
14th - Shelby Harris (+83.9)
23rd - Derek Wolfe (+80.7)
24th - Domata Peko (+80.3)
31st - Adam Gotsis (+79.1)
That means out of 32 other teams and a potential for 128 players to be ranked, the Broncos have the best of the best of the best.
As hard as it was to choose, since John Elway really did hit several home runs in free agency, coaching additions and in the draft this year, it was Peko who I feel was the biggest catalyst for the run defenses amazing reversal in fortune.
That and hearing from guys like Von Miller talk about Peko in the locker room.
“First and foremost, I don’t think he gets enough credit for what he does in the run defense,” Miller said of Peko. “We have the No. 1 run defense and that’s mainly because of how beastly Peko is. If you watch the coach’s film, he’s got two guys on him and he just throws them off and tackles for no gain. That allows [DE Derek] Wolfe to be the type of player that we all know he can be. First and foremost, he’s a beast on the football field. He’s a huge catalyst to our success when it comes to run defense and total defense. Every single day when you see a guy like that, he’s always smiling, he’s always laughing, he’s always joking and always has a positive energy. It’s refreshing. I’m like that too. You have another guy that every single day, it’s incredible.”
Mile High Salute to you, Domata Peko!
Poll
Who has been the Broncos best offseason acquisition in 2017?
This poll is closed
-
6%
Vance Joseph
-
10%
Mike McCoy
-
0%
Bill Musgrave
-
6%
Jamaal Charles
-
52%
Domata Peko
-
19%
Garett Bolles
-
3%
Ron Leary