Last season, Denver’s defense was historic.

Could they be even better this season? Yes, according to former Broncos receiver Rod Smith.

“They’re better,” Smith told the team’s official website of this year’s unit, via 247Sports. “A lot of the veterans I talked to—you gotta remember, the guys who are from last year are defending something, and the guys who are coming in to play with them have to defend what they’re defending—and so they have to step their game up.”

Smith indicated that Denver’s depth will go a long way.

“The back end, or the second or third guys on this football team right now, are better than the guys they had last year, and I think they’re excited and they’re hungry and they want to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke.”

It’s a fair point, as young pass rushers such as Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray have improved since last season. With veteran leadership and young players a year improved, the Broncos’ defense is poised to dominate again.

They’ll get their first chance in the NFL’s season opener on Sept. 8.