Toomer: Talib, Harris more valuable to Broncos than Thomas, Sanders
Oct 28, 2016, 3:09 AM | Updated: 12:03 pm
On the edge of both the Denver Broncos defense and offense reside four Pro Bowl-caliber athletes — cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris and wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
Both duos generally rank among most heralded at each of their respective positions, and each holds key roles for their units on a team defending a Super Bowl 50 title.
But, if push came to shove, which pair — Talib and Harris or Thomas and Sanders — provides the most value for the Broncos?
Denver certainly has more money tied up in Thomas and Sanders, who’s combined 2016 salaries equal $21.387 million compared to $20.5 million for Talib and Harris.
But it’s the tandem on the defensive side of things that hold the most value to NBC Sports’ Amani Toomer.
Toomer, who played wide receiver for the New York Giants, admitted it was tough to choose Harris and Talib over fellow pass catchers when he joined 104.3 The Fan’s Sandy Clough Thursday, but the former NFL star said he couldn’t ignore Denver’s defensive dominance that led the club to a Super Bowl victory in February.
“I would have to go on the defensive side of the ball because you’re known for your defense. The defense is for the Denver Broncos is what won you a championship last year,” Toomer said.
“Just look at the numbers in the Super Bowl. Emmanuel Sander didn’t have a standout game and neither did Demaryius Thomas. But Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr., those guys were dominant.”
Toomer said the smothering coverage by Harris and Talib allows pass rusher Von Miller, by many accounts the front runner to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year, to more easily get to the quarterback.
“They make that quarterback go from his first read, that’s not open traditionally if he’s going against one of those two guys, and hold the ball for that extra second to let Von Miller to get to the quarterback,” Toomer said.
And the grades seem to bear out that thinking. According to Pro Football Focus, Talib and Harris rank as the No. 2 and 3 cornerback in the NFL, second only to Houston’s A.J. Bouye.
On the other hand, Sanders grades out at above average thus far in 2016 while Thomas comes in with a below-average grade.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.