Heading into free agency and the 2009 NFL Draft, it was well documented that the Denver Broncos needed to focus the re-building of their defense on one area:  the defensive line.

In the two months since Denver has been able to address that area by signing free agents or drafting players, some fans are still left asking the question:  “Who is going to anchor the front line for the Broncos in 2009?”

The lack of “elite”-name players has concerned many, but the Broncos are confident they have a solid group of young players who can solidify one of the NFL’s worst defenses.

NFL observers are not so confident.  Jim Armstrong, a Broncos columnist for the Denver Post thinks the big men up front are guilty by association of previous Denver defensive lines.

“If recent history is any indication, the Broncos’ defensive line is a disaster waiting to happen. But since it’s May and they’re among the ranks of the undefeated, let’s call it a, ahem, work in progress.”

A work in progress indeed, but is it unfair to be too critical of the decision not to sell the farm for bigger names on the defensive front?  Head Coach Josh McDaniels was asked recently about the Patriots’ defensive line that included three Pro Bowl players in Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, and Richard Seymour, and how that has helped the Patriots over the last eight years.

“We’re not going to be able to snap our fingers and magically have three first-round draft picks up there,” McDaniels said. “But you know, that’s one team you’re talking about out of 32 that has that. There are teams that are successful that don’t have that. Our goal is to try to coach them all and get them better, improve them and play good defense.”

Still, if the Broncos are going to compete for a division title in 2009, the defensive line needs to be a big surprise for Denver fans, who currently have low expectations for the group McDaniels and company have put together.

During the draft, many fans could not help but wonder why the Broncos were not going after more defensive linemen, or front seven players in general for that matter.  Heading into the draft, it was suspected that Denver’s top three targets on the defensive side of the ball would be Boston College DT B.J. Raji, LSU DE Tyson Jackson, and Tennessee DE/OLB Robert Ayers. 

By the time the Broncos were on the clock at pick No. 12, all but one of those players were off the board, and McDaniels was not going to reach for a less talented player.

“When the board gets picked clean, you don’t start reaching for players in the first round or second round that you don’t feel equals the value you’re taking the selection at,” McDaniels said. “You go into this knowing you’re not going to fix everything you may want to fix.”

Does this mean that Denver has conceded to playing a year with incapable defensive linemen?  Fourth year defensive end Elvis Dumervil does not think so.

“We keep getting bashed,” Dumervil said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s why we go through these minicamps and battle it out. It’s a fresh start for everybody. I can see guys are stronger and faster. I think we’ll shock a lot of people.”

Despite the fact that McDaniels did not add any premiere names to the defensive front, there is reason to believe that the only way their production can go is up after two years of atrocious play.

It will definitely be a year of transition for the Broncos’ defensive line.  Marcus Thomas is the lone returning starter from last year’s unit, and the Broncos also retained key reserve Kenny Peterson.

Ryan McBean, Mathias Askew, Carlton Powell, Nic Clemons, Everette Pedescleaux, Rulon Davis, J’Vonne Parker, and Chris Baker will all compete for the chance to start on Denver’s defensive line in 2009. 

Behind all the criticism, this unit should have a huge chip on their shoulders heading into the new season.  The Broncos’ season hinges on the play of this young group of giants.

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