Just 4:19 into the Denver Broncos’ first preseason game, the offseason full of hype felt like it was put into question. San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. capped a 71-yard, 8-play drive with a touchdown.

The Broncos weren’t even facing a group of starters, and they had already given up a score. But Denver allowed only two more points throughout the entire game. Then the Arizona Cardinals scored only seven points in Week 2 of the preseason.

Despite a less impressive Week 3—a 19-point effort by the New Orleans Saints—the Broncos’ defense left the preseason looking like a juggernaut. Just like it appeared last year.

During the 2024 season, the Broncos led the league in defensive EPA per play—first against the pass (-0.14) and third against the run (-0.12)—defensive success rate (38.98%) and defensive Eckel rate (39.80%), according to SūmerSports. Top defenses have proven difficult to replicate over the past few years, but Denver has as good a shot as any team to replicate their success, in part due to the additions it made during this offseason.

Two of the Broncos three big free agency acquisitions came on the defensive side of the football. They signed safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Throw in first-round pick Jahdae Barron, and Denver has a trio of players who could improve the defense this season.

But Broncos fans haven’t had much of a chance to see the players in action. Barron has played the most snaps, 40 over the course of three preseason games. In those games, he garnered a 66.2 Pro Football Focus grade, playing 28 of those snaps out of the slot.

Hufanga played in two of the three games and was on the field for 24 plays, earning just a 48.6 PFF grade. While he played 10 snaps each in the box and free safety spots and showed flashes of what he can provide for the defense, 24 snaps isn’t enough to fully understand how a player will translate in the regular season.

Greenlaw never even got onto the field in the preseason out of precaution due to his injury history.

While it’s uncertain how everyone will look when on the field together, it’s a great defensive personnel on paper. And Denver’s Week 1 matchup is the perfect opportunity to see what the unit is capable of. The Broncos have a few easy games on the schedule, but they’re starting the season with perhaps the most favorable matchup — rookie quarterback Cam Ward.

While the Tennessee Titans have a solid group of wide receivers, they don’t have much going for them. And while there are a few new players in the locker room, they’re facing off with Ward who has never taken a professional snap.

Greenlaw and Hufanga both will start and should be immediate upgrades at their positions. Hufanga slots in for P.J. Locke who may still get on the field in some defensive sets. Greenlaw should be a clear upgrade over Cody Barton, who previously had the job. But they weren’t in Denver last season. Matter of fact, both missed a large chunk of games last year due to injuries. They may not look like themselves on the first snap of the season.

Payton and the Denver coaching staff has been careful with Greenlaw, specifically, and that plan may extend into the regular season. But he’s still expected to be a factor Week 1. With a lackluster rushing offense, decent offensive line and rookie playcaller, Greenlaw will be in the best position possible to start his season strong. And Hufanga has the chance to take advantage of Ward more in the passing game.

The true wildcard is Barron. After he was drafted, it seemed he could spend time in the slot, out wide or even at safety from time to time. But this offseason indicated he may be destined for the slot. So he might not see the field as much in the early weeks of the season.

Ja”Quan McMillian already has a home in the slot, and he’s been good in the role. But that doesn’t mean Barron can’t get on the field. He can serve as a backup slot corner for McMillian, a backup outside cornerback for Riley Moss or even a player that can mix in as a safety.

Outside of the preseason, this could be the best opportunity to test out Barron’s versatility. Ward was the first overall pick in this year’s draft for a reason. But that doesn’t make him perfect.

If the Broncos are still unsure of where Barron fits into the defense, the Titans are likely to see him across the field, depending on how the starters are playing. In fact, Week 1 is the best time to see how all of Denver’s defensive pieces fit into the puzzle.