Von Miller, LB, fifth Pro Bowl selection: The Denver Broncos linebacker is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Even against a pile of double-teams, to go with the occasional triple-team, Miller is still second in the league in sacks, with 13.5 -- he’s one behind Vic Beasley -- to go with 52 tackles. Miller plays the run, and the Broncos drop him into coverage at times. The Broncos still believe there is more to come from their defensive mainstay. Miller has followed his Super Bowl MVP performance with a season that confirms he is one of the league’s best.
Chris Harris Jr., CB, third Pro Bowl selection: Harris is a rare find in these days of specialization because he plays with almost equal ability on the outside and in the slot. He has played in those roles on either side of the formation at times as well. It gives the Broncos’ plenty of options when they consider coverage plans and means Harris can see the league’s best speed receivers on one play and then drop inside to get the quickest short-burst players on the next play. Harris has two interceptions this season. Most teams don’t elect to challenge him or Aqib Talib, but he has knocked down 11 passes.
Aqib Talib, CB, fourth Pro Bowl selection: Talib is a fiery player who has been involved with heated exchanges with teammates and opponents alike this season. But his play has been elite for much of the season, and opposing coach after opposing coach has discussed how much Talib’s quickness, length and game preparation make him one of the most difficult players to deal with in man coverage. Talib is tied for the team lead in interceptions (three) on the league’s best pass defense. Since 2009, no player has returned more interceptions for touchdowns than Talib -- nine -- and that includes one Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts.
SNUBS
T.J. Ward, S: Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has said, "I’ll use T.J. in a lot of different places on the field. He can do a lot of things." Ward is having an All-Pro-caliber season and does everything from deep in coverage in man-to-man situations or down near the line of scrimmage as a weak-side linebacker. He’s active, prepares well and currently leads the Broncos in tackles (87) and could be the first safety to lead the team in tackles for a season since Steve Atwater in 1995. Ward could well be an All-Pro pick who didn’t make the AFC’s Pro Bowl team.
Demaryius Thomas, WR: Thomas has already topped the 1,000-yard mark for the fifth consecutive season (1,016) and has topped the 80-catch mark for the fifth consecutive season with two games to play. But it’s a crowded field at the position, and the Broncos have lacked the kind of splash plays that get people noticed. But because the Broncos haven’t consistently had a third option in the passing game, Thomas has done most of his work against double coverage. Despite the Broncos’ troubles on offense overall, Thomas is 10th in the league in receiving yards and sixth in the league in catches. He has been targeted at least 10 times in eight of the Broncos’ past nine games.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR: Ditto here, as Sanders and Thomas each have just five touchdown catches; the Broncos have had trouble on the offensive line all season. Like Thomas, Sanders has done plenty of work this season against double coverage. Sanders is 13th in the league in catches (78) and has his third consecutive 1,000-yard season -- all three of those have come since he signed with the Broncos in free agency in 2014.
Darian Stewart, S: Stewart is a first alternate, so he would get the opportunity to play in the all-star game if there is an injury at the position. Stewart is tied with Talib for the team lead in interceptions this season, with three. He had two of those in New Orleans against Drew Brees. Stewart is third on the team in tackles, with 59.