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Denver Broncos draft thoughts: Trading up and projecting needs

By Sayre Bedinger

Jan 24, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; Denver Broncos former quarterback and current executive vice president of football operations and general manager John Elway (right) looks on during Senior Bowl north squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; Denver Broncos former quarterback and current executive vice president of football operations and general manager John Elway (right) looks on during Senior Bowl north squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler (68) against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 22-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler (68) against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 22-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

What’s at the top of everyone’s free agent wish list? Big men, of course.

The Broncos have to be aggressive on the open market with some really good names available on the offensive and defensive lines. Here’s how I see things going, starting with the dream teams we’ve all put together in our minds being crushed:

Players Who Will Be Overpaid

Kevin Zeitler, OG, Bengals

Zeitler has definitely been at the top of the wish list since the season ended as far as free agents go, but he may very well get priced out of the Broncos’ range. The Broncos have plenty of cap space, but not enough to throw a bunch of money at a young player hoping to make as much as he possibly can in guarantees.

It wouldn’t be out of the question for Zeitler to reach $10 million in guaranteed money, and that’s simply a price the Broncos can’t afford to pay.

Brandon Williams, NT, Ravens

I know a lot of fans want the Broncos to go after Williams, the nose tackle for the Ravens who would obviously fill the void left behind by Sylvester Williams. While bringing in the Ravens’ nose guard would be great, he simply isn’t a dynamic enough player for the contract I think he’s about to get. He could make $11-13 million per season from some team that is trying to land a big free agent for a rebuild or overhaul of their defensive line.

Dontari Poe, NT, Chiefs

With back issues starting to creep into the picture, the goal for Poe this offseason is going to be to take the most money he’s offered and run with it. For a player of his caliber, the price tag will be high. There’s plenty of risk involved, as Poe hasn’t been the player he was from 2013-14, but the upside is definitely there.

But how long will it be until the back issues become a real problem?

That’s the big question, and it’s one the Broncos can’t afford to bet $13 million a season on.

Ricky Wagner, RT, Ravens

It pains me to even say this, because Wagner has been a top target from the start for me. If he checks in around $7 million per season, the Broncos will probably throw him that bone, but there are some other decent options available and I think Wagner will command nearly $10 million per season.

Again, the Broncos have cap space, but they are looking to add probably four high impact starters in free agency on both sides of the line, perhaps five. Overpaying Wagner might not be in the cards. There are definitely other teams in the NFL that have needs along the offensive line, and some may be willing to pay Wagner big bucks.

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