To play at a high level in the National Football League, you need to perform well in the trenches. Thankfully, the Denver Broncos sport one of the best offensive and defensive lines in all of football. It’s a game of inches, and week in and week out, those units do their part to help the Broncos achieve victory.
Without question, their impeccable play was a big reason why Denver was able to reel off an impressive 14-wins during the regular season in 2025. The Broncos had the best pass rushing defense in the NFL last year, as well as the top-ranked pass blocking unit—a trend that seems likely to continue for the 2026 season.
Advertisement
That’s also why so many fans and analysts are bullish on the team’s prospects in 2026. Yesterday after practice, sixth-year offensive guard and two-time All-Pro Quinn Meinerz spoke to the media and acknowledge how impressed he was with the team’s defensive line thus far in training camp.
“We have a really good front. You have to bring your ‘A’ game every single day. I think they all have individual skills that you have to kind of prep for on a daily basis,” stated Meinerz.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 02: Zach Allen #99 of the Denver Broncos and Malcolm Roach #97 of the Denver Broncos celebrate a stop against the Houston Texans during the second quarter in the game at NRG Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“D.J. has been a consistent, solid nose tackle for us. He makes practice difficult. Roach is strong and also fast, and the same thing with Zach Allen. I think everyone’s been talking about ‘Enyi’. He’s really been maturing as a player and getting better. I’ve been seeing his improvement as well,” added Meinerz.
Advertisement
The aforementioned make a strong core four along the defensive line. Additionally, the Broncos have promising developmental prospects Sai’vion Jones and Tyler Onyedim, whom the franchise has drafted in the third-round the past two seasons. If those two are able to be contributors this season, it’s hard to believe there are many other teams in the NFL that have as formidable of a defensive front as Denver.
Going up against such great players is also beneficial for the Broncos’ offensive line. At all five positions across the board, the Broncos are returning quality starters. They’re battle-tested and experienced, but going head-to-head in practice against a top-flight defense every week helps give them an edge on gamedays.
Additionally, they have impressive depth and a lot of rookie contract players who are developing well under the tutelage of Zach Strief. Strief has played a crucial role in raising the standard for the offensive line play since he joined the franchise alongside Head Coach Sean Payton four years ago.
“It’s good because then the young guys [on defense] get to see that the same way the young guys in our room get to see how we practice as an offensive line. It’s just constant iron sharpening iron every single day, and you have to be ready for it because if you don’t, you’re going to get your butt whooped.”
