Broncos Training Camp powered by Ford is less than two weeks away, and that means it's time to take a position-by-position look at the Broncos' roster.

The categories are refreshed and a little different this season, but we're still going to take a close look at each position group that's set to take the field in late July.

We continue with the defensive line, which crucially retained D.J. Jones in free agency.

TOP STORYLINE

How does dialing in on the details translate to on-field play?

A year ago, the Denver defense — and particularly the men in the trenches — focused on a more-attacking defensive style.

It's safe to say the group was successful.

Zach Allen earned second-team All-Pro honors with an 8.5-sack season, while Jonathan Franklin-Myers added another 7 sacks of his own.

The waves of defensive linemen — including starting defensive tackle D.J. Jones and a key addition in Malcolm Roach — combined for 30 tackles for loss and helped set the tone for a franchise-record 63 sacks.

As the Broncos aim to improve upon the third-ranked scoring defense they offered in 2024, Jones said the key is to focus on the small details.

"I think we just hone in on the details," Jones said in June. "Every day that we come out here, we just have to get one percent better every day. [We have to] make each other better. There's nothing [Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph] can do. I think it's on us. It's about the details for us."

In training camp, the defensive line should get a solid test against Denver's offensive line and revamped running back corps. In a battle of good-on-good, it may come down to the details.

PLAYER TO WATCH

DL Sai'vion Jones

The Broncos traded back into the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft to select LSU defensive lineman Sai'vion Jones, and the rookie has already impressed the veterans in his position group.

"He will be special one day," D.J. Jones said. "He's young right now. He's eager to learn, but he will be very special one day."

The rookie stood out at times during the offseason program, and the 6-foot-5, 289-pound player's potential was evident to the Broncos.

"This guy is long," General Manager George Paton said after the draft. "He's strong [and] plays with really good leverage. Then he's improving as a rusher. … I think what sticks out with him is just how hard he plays. The motor — he goes 110 miles per hour every play, so he fits in with our group. He'll have time to develop as well, as he has good guys in front of him."

As Paton suggested, Denver's deep and veteran-laden defensive line group means Jones has time to develop. But in training camp and preseason, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jones show the flashes that drew the Broncos to him.

STAT TO KNOW

3.87.

The Broncos' defense allowed just 3.87 rushing yards per attempt, which ranked second in the NFL. The success against the run — Denver also ranked third in overall rushing defense — came in large part from the defensive line's efforts.

Allen, Franklin-Myers and Roach all had least five tackles for loss last year, while Jones often clogged up gaps to allow Denver's linebackers to swoop in.

The second-place ranking represented a significant improvement from 2023, when Denver gave up the most yards per carry and third-most rushing yards of any team.

"We had to stop the run better," Paton said in January. "How were we going to do that? We had some pieces in place. Signing Malcolm Roach was a huge addition — it could've been our best addition of the offseason in free agency. Then we were able to trade for 'JFM.' We had a good front line, then we had depth. Really, that's the trick on defense: having a wave in the defensive line. We had a wave at outside linebacker. Our guys never tired. Zach Allen wouldn't come off the field, but we did have a nice wave."

… AND ONE MORE THING

The additions of Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga and Evan Engram were the splash signings during the free agency period, but retaining Jones was arguably the most critical.

Jones may never have the double-digit sack totals or high tackle numbers, but he played in all 17 games last season and did the dirty work for Denver's defense. His ability to demand attention from offensive linemen freed up other players to make plays, and his presence along the line shouldn't be understated.

"We think that D.J. is one of the better nose [tackle]s in the league, so why wouldn't we bring him back and just keep building on his strength?" Paton said in March. "I think that's how you get better."

Jones' re-signing may not have gotten the attention of Denver's other free-agent moves, but he's undoubtedly a crucial piece of the Broncos' defense.