Broncos CB Aqib Talib Could Help Recruit FA Devin McCourty
Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib was as advertised in 2014, making a Pro Bowl in his first year with the team after signing a huge deal as an unrestricted free agent in 2014, but his contributions to the Broncos don’t have to end on the football field.
With Rahim Moore potentially departing in free agency, the Broncos have a void at the free safety position. The NFL Draft doesn’t provide much in the way of great free safety play, at least on paper, and while the Broncos are likely to try and add a youngster or two to compete for spots as backups this year, they need a safety to come in and be an immediate starter and impact player, much like they needed last offseason when they got T.J. Ward from Cleveland.
This offseason, one particular free agent leads the crop of safeties, and Aqib Talib could be the Broncos’ secret weapon in securing his services.
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It would require a power move by John Elway, but safety Devin McCourty — who has actually been a Pro Bowl player as both a safety and cornerback — is one of the top defenders on the free agent market and is sure to command quite a bit of money, but if the Broncos want him, they can get him, and here’s how:
Sic Aqib Talib on him.
Talib, a former teammate of McCourty’s for nearly two seasons and fellow Pro Bowler likely knows the Patriots safety really well, and could give the Broncos some help in terms of recruiting. That is, if John Elway determines he needs it…
One reason why it’s not so ‘out there’ to think the Broncos could go after a big name like McCourty at safety is because John Elway has signed away a big name Patriots player in each of the last two offseasons. In 2013, he signed Wes Welker for $6 million per season. In 2014, he gave Aqib Talib a humongous six-year deal.
Could 2015 be the year of McCourty for the Broncos?
Fans are sure hoping so, at least with the status of the position for the Broncos and the ability of the players in this year’s draft class to contribute immediately. The Broncos proved last offseason they could get a top flight safety at less than market value, but even before they signed T.J. Ward to the deal they did, they were talking with players like Jairus Byrd, who ended up signing a ridiculous deal with the New Orleans Saints.
The Broncos can’t afford to overpay for free agents, but they could make as strong an offer as any team for McCourty’s services, and having a former Patriot in the building like Talib doesn’t hurt their cause (unless there’s something we don’t know going on there.).
John Elway can and will work his free agent magic this offseason. The Broncos have three major needs on the offensive line that need to be addressed, but the free safety position can’t be neglected and while it sounds intriguing to move Kayvon Webster to that spot, it might be wise for the Broncos to have Talib give McCourty a call and see if he can’t talk him into joining one of the league’s most talented secondary units.