The Lead
Brandon Jones turned in quite the introductory season in Denver.
The veteran player signed with the Broncos in free agency in 2024 and promptly posted the most productive year of his career, as the 2020 third-round pick set new bests in starts, interceptions, passes defensed and tackles.
Jones arrived in Denver eager to expand his role after being utilized primarily as a box safety with the Dolphins, and he did that to the tune of three interceptions and a team-high 115 tackles. Across 16 games and 15 starts, Jones graded out as Pro Football Focus' third-ranked safety in 2024 and was named a Pro Bowl Games alternate.
As Jones enters his second season in Denver, the sixth-year veteran said he hopes to take another step forward in his game.
"Overall, I want to grow in every aspect," Jones said Tuesday. "I don't think you can ever be too good at one thing. I was glad I was able to show that I can be more versatile, especially being labeled early on in my career as one thing. I'm just excited to continue to do what I can do and be a great teammate and leader for this defense."
A pair of Jones' interceptions were critical in Broncos wins last season, as he picked off Baker Mayfield in Week 3 to set the Broncos up to take a 14-point lead and earn their first win of the year. Later in the season, Jones intercepted Gardner Minshew against the Raiders and returned the ball to the Las Vegas 18-yard line with Denver trailing by four points in the second half. Two plays later, Denver took a lead over its division rival it would not relinquish.
"[He's a] communicator," Head Coach Sean Payton said Tuesday. "Very important and an important guy for us a year ago when we signed him. A veteran presence and someone who's smart."
The addition of Talanoa Hufanga may further allow Jones to make an impact, as Jones said the two have already built a quick bond and said it's as if "we've been friends for all of our lives." On the field, Jones believes that should lead to strong play on the back end of the Broncos' defense.
"I would say both of us are really good at multitasking," Jones said. "We can do a lot of different things, whatever is asked of us. We can just have a lot of freedom and feel comfortable with whoever goes down in certain situations. We have a lot of faith and trust in each other. I think that goes a long way."
Yet while Jones said he feels an increased level of comfort entering Year 2, he hasn't varied his approach — and that extends to his goals for the Broncos' defense.
"You get in trouble as soon as you get complacent," Jones said. "I think we are going to be as good as we want to be, and the sky is the limit. We know what we did last year, and that feeds us going into this year with super big goals for us individually and as a unit. We just have to make the most of it."
