Hope springs eternal every NFL offseason. Nevertheless, I can’t help but be excited about what the defense for the Denver Broncos looks like on paper for the 2021 NFL season.

Signing key free agents from the team in Shelby Harris, Justin Simmons, Alexander Johnson, and (if rumors are true) Kareem Jackson has set the team up with continuity in their more talented players that were set to become free agents in some form or fashion this offseason.

Add to that the signings of free agents Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller to fill the glaring hole in the roster at starting cornerbacks and you have the make up of a very scary looking NFL defense.

The linchpin to all of this is Von Miller coming back and staying healthy. Everything about the Broncos pass rush starts with him and how teams adjust to his presence causes ripples across the line for other Broncos to get more chances to make plays.

One of the biggest struggles I noticed when watching our woeful team of 2020 was their difficulty in play making on defense because of how much attention they needed to keep back in their defensive backfield. With rookie corners and guys you have on a roster to be back-ups starting meaningful snaps all over the field, we had to use our safeties heavily to support coverage and Vic Fangio ended up having to be much less aggressive with how he would attack an offense.

I expect that to change this season. If the roster can keep healthy, they are going to pretty consistently hold teams to 20 or less points. They will create turnovers from better pressure and especially from better coverage.

Honestly, the way they’ve loaded up the defense makes it pretty easy for the team to focus on finding an answer to their void of talent at quarterback either in the draft or free agency. I expect a major move to be made either by trading for a current NFL starter or making a splash trade in the draft in order to move up and grab a real talent at QB to work with this season.

Broncos News

Broncos attend Alabama pro day
Broncos Director of College Scouting Brian Stark led the team’s contingent in Tuscaloosa, where a number of top draft prospects worked out ahead of April’s NFL Draft.

Broncos release TE Nick Vannett
Vannett signed with the Broncos in 2020 and appeared in 15 games for Denver.

Other NFL News

Deshaun Watson facing 16 lawsuits in Texas; QB's attorney releases statement
The lawyer for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson released a statement Tuesday saying

2021 NFL free agency: Tuesday roundup of latest news, buzz
The Pittsburgh Steelers set Steven Nelson free. The team announced it terminated the contract of the veteran cornerback, shortly after Nelson tweeted,

NFL free-agent signings/trades that'll have biggest impact on 2021 season
A week into the new league year, movement across the NFL has come fast and furious. So, of all the players who changed teams thus far, who'll have the biggest impact in 2021? Adam Schein spotlights nine moves.

Joe Flacco signing one-year deal with Philadelphia Eagles to back up Jalen Hurts
The Eagles are signing veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to be the backup for Jalen Hurts.

Trent Williams says he was near Kansas City Chiefs deal before San Francisco 49ers got him back with record contract
Trent Williams detailed how close he was to going to the Kansas City Chiefs, saying he gave 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan a call and right of last refusal, which led to his deal with San Francisco getting done.

Source -- QB Marcus Mariota restructures deal to remain with Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback Marcus Mariota has agreed to restructure his contract and remain with the Las Vegas Raiders, ESPN has confirmed.

Jameis Winston grows emotional discussing Drew Brees - Sports Illustrated
Jameis Winston shared an emotional response on Tuesday when asked about the impact Drew Brees had on him last season.

NFL power rankings: Browns rise, Saints fall after free agency - Sports Illustrated
There was some serious movement this offseason in a depressed market, giving a few franchises some real advantages next season.