5 Burning Questions Broncos' Defense Must Answer Before 2026 Season

The Denver Broncos are hoping to get back to the AFC championship game this coming season, then take the next two steps by making it to the Super Bowl and winning it. When it comes to personnel, the Broncos' only losses this offseason were on the defensive side with defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and safety P.J. Locke.

This defense should remain a strength of the team.

However, over the next few months, before training camp starts, the Broncos will have to answer five questions about this defense. Some questions are tied to those two free-agent losses, but they all relate to who makes the 53-man roster and how/when they see the field in 2026.

Does Jahdae Barron step up, leading to a Riley Moss or Ja’Quan McMillian trade?

Denver has a log-jam at cornerback, which isn’t a rotational position, and Barron will be in the second year of his rookie deal. It's hard to waste two years on a first-round rookie contract, which is part of why many believe Denver will trade either Moss or McMillian before the start of the 2026 season.

However, Barron has to step up and show he is ready to be a starter, which is questionable after his up-and-down play as a rookie. From there, he will have to show where he fits best: on the boundary or in the nickel.

Only then could the Broncos determine which of the two, Moss or McMillian, would get traded. If Barron isn’t ready, then he isn’t ready, and Denver will keep both.

The Broncos need a good reason to trade either veteran. It's up to Barron to give it to them.

What is Jonah Elliss's role at linebacker & outside linebacker?

The Broncos made a somewhat surprising announcement that Elliss will move to inside linebacker and see the field. That raises the obvious question: what will his role be?

Will Elliss be a full-time linebacker? Perhaps a part-time linebacker and part-time pass rusher as he grows inside? What does it all entail with his move?

Now, looking at how last year ended with Dre Greenlaw rotating in on run downs and Justin Strnad on passing downs, that's the most obvious way the Broncos could use Elliss, while occasionally moving him outside as a rotational pass rusher or blitzing from the linebacker spot.

That would work well early, with Elliss's experience as an outside linebacker, as the Broncos grow and develop him with coverages.

Who is the starter opposite DL Zach Allen?

With Franklin-Myers gone, who is going to be the starter in the spot he vacated? Eyioma Uwazurike seems to be the favorite, or Malcolm Roach, but their roles last year were vastly different and may not translate as a Franklin-Myers replacement. Still, the Broncos can rotate them in and out in certain situations.

It will most likely be a rotation with Sai’vion Jones and rookie third-rounder Tyler Onyedim being the main two at the spot. Onyedim is a high-floor run defender on early downs, who can rotate in with Jones on passing downs.

However, the Broncos would still have questions at that spot. Last year, Denver had only five active defensive linemen for most of the season, and this option would require six.

Do Sai’vion Jones and Que Robinson take that next step in their development?

Speaking of Jones, a lot is riding on his development since last year. The 2025 third-rounder saw the field for only 33 defensive snaps and flashed as a pass rusher a couple of times, but his run defense is still questionable and was his biggest concern entering the NFL. His development as a run defender would have a major impact on the rotation on the line.

Robinson — a 2025 fourth-round pick — had some big flashes as a pass rusher when he saw the field, but he also had some wins as a run defender. With Elliss being moved inside, Robinson is poised for a bigger role. It will also be interesting to see whether Robinson finds a place on special teams after being the "best special teamer" former Alabama head coach Nick Saban ever coached.

Does Brandon Jones return to form, and does Devon Key take a step as the third safety?

Jones suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 16, and Locke stepped in and played well in relief. Key filled in when Locke also missed time with an injury.

There will be a lot of questions about Jones after his injury, as he had already begun to struggle before he got hurt.

Key looked good in his limited starts, but it was such a small sample size. He's now poised to be the third safety in the room, and could end up being a starter with Talanoa Hufanga’s injury history and Jones working back from the pec.

The Broncos need to know where Jones stands with his recovery and play, and how much more growth Key can show.

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