The best secondaries in the NFL are often complemented by great defensive lines. Just look at the Broncos’ 2015 defense — Denver had two great cornerbacks in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris but those defensive backs benefited from playing with a defense that featured Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.
Talib and Harris benefited from quarterbacks rushing passes under pressure and Miller and Ware benefited from the secondary forcing the QB to hold the ball longer than he wanted to, often resulting in sacks.
This year, Miller and Bradley Chubb will aim to make life easier for the secondary by continuing to generate pressure, something that new cornerback A.J. Bouye appreciates.
“I always believe — especially early and playing in high school, I had a good d-line — I always believed that you’re only as good as your d-line and vice versa,” Bouye said on May 14. “That definitely showed in Jacksonville. You’ve seen the sacks we were getting and the turnovers we were creating.
“Just to be able to bring that presence over here in Denver, I’m going to do my job. Everybody back there is going to do their job but we’re going to have some dogs up there getting after the quarterback. Now we just have to capitalize on these opportunities because they’re going to give us some.”
In addition to Miller and Chubb, the Broncos now also have a great interior pass rusher in Jurrell Casey, who owns 51 career sacks. Those three defenders should generate frequent pressure and force plenty of turnovers.
