The Denver Broncos replaced fan-favorite safety Justin Simmons with one of the top 10 defenders in the NFL this season.
When the Broncos released Simmons in March to free up salary cap space, many fans were unhappy, especially since Simmons had been one of the few bright spots on a struggling team for nearly a decade.
When Denver brought in Jones as Simmons’ replacement, many in Broncos Country reacted with confusion. However, Jones has excelled in Vance Joseph’s defense over the first four games, amassing 24 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, along with two passes defended.
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On Wednesday, Pro Football Focus unveiled its ranking of the top 10 defenders in the NFL for the season, with Jones coming in at No. 10. This ranking spans all positions throughout the league, making it quite an impressive achievement for him.
Players like Fred Warner, Aidan Hutchinson, T.J. Watt, Nick Bosa, and Myles Garrett are well-known names in the league. It’s great to see the Broncos represented on that list, with Jones receiving the recognition.
In addition, PFF notes that defensive lineman Zach Allen ranks second in the NFL in pressures, just behind Hutchinson. Overall, the Broncos defense is allowing 256.5 yards per game, which ties them for second-best in the league alongside the Jets, with only the Titans ahead at 243.8 yards per game.
This isn’t meant to disrespect Simmons; rather, it highlights that moving on was likely beneficial for both parties. Head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton did well to identify Jones as their target.
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