I sometimes scoff at the salary cap, but it does occasionally force teams' hands on moves they'd prefer not to make. Like Chicago releasing cornerback Kyle Fuller last week. The Broncos swooped in to sign him to a one-year deal; it's a nice get for Vic Fangio's defense.
Denver has ranked outside the top 20 in fantasy defense the last two years. The problem hasn't been pass rush, where it's had 40-42 sacks both seasons. But it was in the bottom 10 in interceptions both seasons; just 10 each year. Fuller should help, since the last time the two worked together, the results were pretty awesome.
Back in 2018, when Fangio was the defensive coordinator in Chicago, Fuller had 7 interceptions, and Chicago as a team had 27. That performance helped Chicago have the league's No. 1 fantasy defense (1 point for sacks, 2 for takeaways, 6 for touchdowns). It's the 13th-best team interception performance this century; No. 1 since 2013. Fangio and Fuller, together again.
| TEAM INTERCEPTIONS, 2001-2020 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | Int |
| 2001 | Cleveland | 33 |
| 2011 | Green Bay | 31 |
| 2005 | Cincinnati | 31 |
| 2002 | Tampa Bay | 31 |
| 2009 | Green Bay | 30 |
| 2007 | San Diego | 30 |
| 2003 | New England | 29 |
| 2013 | Seattle | 28 |
| 2009 | Buffalo | 28 |
| 2006 | Baltimore | 28 |
| 2003 | Minnesota | 28 |
| 2001 | Tampa Bay | 28 |
| 2018 | Chicago | 27 |
| 2009 | New Orleans | 26 |
| 2008 | Baltimore | 26 |
| 2004 | Carolina | 26 |
| 2019 | New England | 25 |
| 2010 | New England | 25 |
| 2009 | Philadelphia | 25 |
| 2003 | Kansas City | 25 |
| 2002 | Baltimore | 25 |
| 2015 | Carolina | 24 |
| 2012 | Chicago | 24 |
| 2010 | Green Bay | 24 |
| 2006 | Chicago | 24 |
| 2005 | Chicago | 24 |
| 2005 | Minnesota | 24 |
| 2004 | Buffalo | 24 |
| 2003 | Baltimore | 24 |
| 2003 | St. Louis | 24 |
| 2002 | Atlanta | 24 |
| 2002 | Green Bay | 24 |
| 2001 | San Francisco | 24 |
| 2001 | Carolina | 24 |
| 2014 | San Francisco | 23 |
| 2013 | Buffalo | 23 |
| 2011 | San Francisco | 23 |
| 2011 | New England | 23 |
| 2010 | Philadelphia | 23 |
| 2008 | Cleveland | 23 |
| 2006 | Green Bay | 23 |
| 2005 | Carolina | 23 |
| 2004 | Seattle | 23 |
| 2004 | San Diego | 23 |
| 2003 | San Francisco | 23 |
| 2001 | Washington | 23 |
Denver also signed safety Justin Simmons to a multi-year deal, so that's two key pieces of the secondary. The pass rush should also be better, getting Von Miller back and pairing him with Bradley Chubb (the duo has played only 4 games together the last two seasons).
I'm not sure Denver will have a top-10 fantasy defense this season. But a month ago, when both Miller and Simmons' status were uncertain and Fuller was in Chicago, it looked a lot less likely. Now it's a defense I'll have some interest in for the upcoming season.
--Andy Richardson