Report: Broncos Are Interested in FS Louis Delmas
Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions safety Louis Delmas (26) hits Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson (81) as he tries to catch the ball in front of cornerback Darius Slay (30) in the second quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. The Vikings win 14-13. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
For the second consecutive year, less than a year apart, we’ve gotten word from a major reporter that the Denver Broncos have interest in two-time former Detroit Lion free safety Louis Delmas.
CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora is now reporting the Broncos–as well as the Falcons–have interest in the recently cut Detroit safety.
Last March, when free agency opened up, Denver Post beat man Mike Klis reported that the Broncos had interest in Delmas, but that they hadn’t yet scheduled a visit. Delmas went around to places like St. Louis and San Francisco, where there were rumors that he had signed, but he eventually re-upped with the Lions for two years and was very productive this past year in one of the healthiest years of his career.
Delmas would be a great addition to the Broncos’ secondary, and since they had troubles at that position this past year, many saw this coming as a position of emphasis in the offseason.
Some have hoped that the Broncos would go after Jairus Byrd or T.J. Ward, but I think Byrd is an unrealistic option given the fact that he wants to be the highest paid safety in the league. Ward could very well be re-signed or at worst franchise tagged by Cleveland, which left the best (pre-Delmas getting cut) option available realistically as San Francisco’s Donte Whitner, who would add some attitude to Denver’s D.
Rumor has it, Whitner is hoping for a pretty big contract as well, so getting a younger, productive player at a position of need who could command a pretty reasonable salary is something the Broncos would undoubtedly be attracted to.
Not to mention, showing interest in a player twice in less than a year’s time has to impress him and his agency, and could work in the Broncos’ pursuit.
Still, there will be competition for his services. Delmas reportedly was visiting the Steelers on Monday and as the report states, also is drawing interest from Atlanta.
Theoretically, the Broncos would pair Delmas with Rahim Moore if he’s back healthy but both are listed as free safeties. It would be interesting to see how they would pair the two.