The Lead
Jonathon Cooper enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, as the former seventh-round pick started all 17 games for Denver and recorded a career-high 8.5 sacks.
As he enters his fourth season, Cooper has earned recognition for his enhanced play from Doug Farrar at USA Today's The Touchdown Wire.
Farrar recently selected every team's most underrated player, and Cooper earned the nod for the Broncos.
Despite his long wait during the 2021 NFL Draft, Cooper has made a contribution in each of his three seasons. He totaled 4.5 sacks, 86 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits in his first two years before he became a full-time starter in 2023.
In an increased role, Cooper played 74 percent of the Broncos' defensive snaps and led Denver in sacks. He also posted an interception, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, 72 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. Cooper also scored a critical touchdown with a fumble recovery for a score in Denver's comeback win over the Bears.
"It all kicked in last season, as Cooper set career highs in sacks (nine) and total pressures (55) on 421 pass-rushing snaps," Farrar wrote. "Cooper tends to prove that he should be playing more often than he is, and he does it against the best possible competition."
