The Lead
Throughout the 2024 season, the Broncos found success in all three phases of the game. Several players recorded the most statistically significant years of their career as they made game-changing plays for the team.
NFL.com recently released the Next Gen Stats 2024 All-Pro Team, compiled by the Next Gen Stats analytics team using "advanced data to spotlight the best of the best at each position." For the Broncos, two defensive players, one offensive player and one special team contributor made the list.
On the offensive side of the ball, guard Quinn Meinerz received the nod. The analytics team praised Denver's offensive line as a whole, noting that "Meinerz's role in strengthening that unit cannot be overstated."
"The Wisconsin-Whitewater product allowed one or fewer pressures in 11 games this season, which is tied for the most such games by a guard since at least 2018 (as far back as NGS blocking data goes)," the article stated. "As a result, Meinerz allowed a mere 3.6% pressure rate — the lowest among all guards — while surrendering only one sack."
Defensively, cornerback Pat Surtain II and defensive lineman Zach Allen were both recognized for their stellar play this season. Allen became the first defensive tackle since Aaron Donald in 2021 to crack the top 10 in total pressures with 67, and his contributions did not stop there.
"His dominance extended to run defense, too: He recorded the third-most run tackles for loss or no gain (20) among all players and posted the second-highest run-stuff rate (6.5%) among defensive tackles with at least 200 run snaps," NFL.com stated. "And he rarely came off the field — Allen led all defensive tackles in playtime percentage (83.6%) and snaps per game (56.9)."
Surtain has already received significant recognition for his lockdown coverage this season, as "all season long, quarterbacks and play-callers made it a point to avoid 'Surtain Island,'" the article stated.
"Opponents targeted Surtain on just 10.9% of his snaps, the lowest rate since 2021 among corners with at least 300 coverage snaps," NFL.com stated. "When they did try him, Surtain allowed a league-best -0.43 expected points added per target (among CBs with at least 300 coverage snaps and 30 targets), while allowing a 46.6 passer rating in zone coverage, the lowest mark allowed among cornerbacks with at least 20 such targets as the nearest defender in coverage."
The Broncos' final nod went to punt returner Marvin Mims Jr., whose 15.7 average yards per return this season were the most in the NFL among players with at least 10 returns. Mims finished the season ranked third in punt return success rate (57.7 percent).
"Speed was a big part of his game — among all players with at least 50 touches (from scrimmage or as a returner), Mims posted an average top speed of 16.0 mph, second only to the kickoff returner on this list, KaVontae Turpin (16.34)," NFL.com stated.
To view the Next Gen Stats 2024 All-Pro Team, click here.
