No. 11 Sylvester Williams
One of the biggest concerns for the defense heading into the 2015 season was how it would cope with the loss of Terrance Knighton. John Elway didn’t want to pay “Prime Rib” prices for “Pot Roast,” and there was doubt as to whether or not Sylvester Williams would be capable of plugging the run. The soft underbelly of the defense was expected to be right up the middle.
Well, we’re seven games into 2015 and the Denver defense is currently fourth in the league, allowing just 89.3 yards per game. Despite being the only defensive starter with a negative overall rating by Pro Football Focus, Sly-Will has been solid at the nose, absorbing blockers and freeing up Malik Jackson, Derek Wolfe and Vance Walker (not to mention Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan).
The only real knock on Williams has been his pass rush – he’s notched 1.5 sacks himself and is yet to spring Wolfe or Walker for a sack (although Jackson has four, tying him with Von Miller). But with so many other weapons surrounding Williams, Wade Phillips only needs his big man in the middle to soak up bodies while the rest of the rush does its work.
