National Basketball Association

Denver Nuggets to Denver Broncos: NFL Defense Edition

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:23 p.m. ET

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Apr 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Spurs 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets and Denver Broncos only share hardly anything, but as the NFL season kicks off, we take a look at Nuggets that could e Broncos

The first NFL Sunday starts today and to celebrate, I’ve decided to put the Nuggets as a NFL team.

This time around, I will be putting the Nuggets in NFL defensive positions to where I believe they would fit best. The Denver Nuggets are not the best defensive team in the NBA, but they could possibly be better in the NFL.

Although the skill talent between the two leagues has a massive gap between them, the Nuggets could still possibly make a good defense based on their athletic abilities alone.

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) guards Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Ends: Nikola Jokic & Darrell Arthur

Both Jokic and Arthur aren’t the biggest guys, but they aren’t necessarily small. Defensive ends are well known for getting to the passer, but also for batting down passes and stopping the run, therefore with the height of both Jokic and Arthur as well as their massive wingspans, they would be good in those areas.

Arthur and Jokic wouldn’t necessarily get to the quarterback very often, but due to their long wingspans and big build, they would be quite effective in the other important areas that a defensive end needs.

Apr 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) defends against Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Tackle: Jusuf Nurkic

Could the defensive tackle position be anybody other than Jusuf Nurkic? He is by far the biggest and strongest of any of the Nuggets which is perfect for the defensive tackle position. His shear strength and size is great, but much like the defensive ends, the defensive tackle should be able to stop the run and block passes, both of which would be very possible with Nurkic’s body size.

Nurkic has been known for “bullying” the players he faces off against and many defensive ends have a similar attitude, which is yet another reason as to why Nurkic would be a perfect fit at defensive tackle.

Mar 14, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) runs up court during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Outside Linebackers: Kenneth Faried & Wilson Chandler

Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler are both big, strong, and fast, which is exactly what is needed to play the defensive end position. Outside Linebackers are pretty dominant in the NFL. Names like Von Miller, Khalil Mack, and Thomas Davis all are big, strong, and fast. Having those traits allows the players to get past the offensive lineman much quicker than usual.

Faried and Chandler would fit as outside linebackers also due to the leadership roles that some of the outside linebackers present. Both Faried and Chandler are very good leaders and mentors to the younger players.

Feb 10, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) dribbles the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Inside Linebacker: Danilo Gallinari

The inside linebacker position would by far be the best fit for Gallo. Not only is Gallinari a good build for an inside linebacker, but the inside linebacker is usually the leader, or the main focus of the team. It is quite obvious that Gallinari is the leader for the Nuggets as he has led them in scoring each of the past few seasons.

Gallinari should be able to take his leadership role to the next level this next coming season and playing inside linebacker in the NFL would definitely be a good fit for him.

Dec 30, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) brings the ball up-court against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerbacks: Jameer Nelson & Emmanuel Mudiay

Both Jameer Nelson and Emmanuel Mudiay are very speedy, and neither of them are very big, which is why I believe the cornerback position would be a very good fit for both of them. Nelson is much smaller than Mudiay and would likely be very good at keeping up with the WRs due to his speed alone.

Mudiay could be much more physical since 6’5″ is a pretty big size for a cornerback. A duo of Nelson’s speed and Mudiay’s size is perfect for an NFL team and is much like Denver’s own, the Broncos with Chris Harris Jr and Aqib Talib.

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) dribbles the ball in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Safeties: Will Barton & Gary Harris

Both Barton and Harris would be great at safety. Safeties usually are a security net for a team if they need something to happen or need help. Both Barton and Harris went under the radar for the Nuggets while helping them in so many ways. Not only do safeties help in unnoticed ways, but a lot of safeties hit hard. Both Barton and

Harris are very scrappy players and that would likely roll over into the NFL if they were there. Safeties are known to be scrappy with their play with bit hits and key plays, which is very similar to how both of the Nuggets guards play.

Football season has arrived and basketball season isn’t much further behind. With a little under two months until the first game for the Nuggets, it’s creeping closer each and every day.