Aaron Schatz of ESPN recently highlighted some of the most underrated players in the NFL, and two Denver Broncos made the list: offensive tackle Garett Bolles and defensive lineman Zach Allen.
Both played key roles for Denver last season, and they could finally start getting the recognition they deserve.
Bolles was the first name mentioned in the article. Schatz pointed out that, while Bolles had a rocky start after being drafted in 2017, he has turned things around and become one of the better tackles in the league.
Last year, he ranked seventh among tackles in pass block rate, up from 13th the year before. Schatz praised his strength in the run game and noted that he did not give up many pressures. The only knock is that he draws too many penalties.
Despite his strong play, Bolles has yet to make a Pro Bowl. But with the Broncos on the rise, and rookie quarterback Bo Nix set to take over, Bolles could finally earn that honor, especially if he cuts down on penalties and continues his upward trajectory.
At 32, Bolles is still playing high-level football and proving why he was a first-round pick. You rarely hear his name mentioned among the league’s best tackles, but that could change if he puts together another strong year.
Allen is in a similar situation. The 27-year-old is one of the more versatile defensive linemen in the game. In his first year with Denver, he played defensive end. Last year, he shifted to defensive tackle. This season, he might move back outside. Wherever he lines up, he produces.
In 2024, Allen had a standout season with 61 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and a safety. Despite those numbers and earning second-team All-Pro honors, his season flew under the radar.
As Schatz noted, most fans outside of Denver probably do not even know he was named All-Pro. He tied for second in the league in defeats with 25, alongside Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward and just behind Seattle’s Leonard Williams.
Allen was also second in run stop rate and finished with 36 pressures, which was also second in the NFL, trailing only Kansas City’s Chris Jones. His production last season was on par with the best in the league, and he did it for a Broncos team that surprised everyone by making the playoffs. At just 27, Allen is still getting better, and so are the Broncos.
Denver was projected to win only about five games last year, but they ended up in the postseason. Much like Bolles and Allen, the entire team was underrated.
Now that the league knows what the Broncos are capable of, more people should start paying attention to the players who make them go. Do not be surprised if several Broncos earn Pro Bowl honors this season, and this time, it will not be a shock.
