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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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Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The next tier of free agents are players that I believe will be priced within the range the Denver Broncos can afford, and prices they would be willing to pay. These are players that can start, and can make a significant impact right away for this team.

Before I list these names, I should also clarify that I think the Broncos will decline the option that is due left tackle Russell Okung, leaving a pretty gaping hole on that side of the line. I also believe they will let go of right tackle Donald Stephenson. There are some solutions on the free agent market, however, and we’ll explore that here.

Calais Campbell, DE, Cardinals

Before we look at the left tackle option I really like for the Broncos, let’s take a look at a player I’ve been banging the table for since December. Calais Campbell is undoubtedly the top free agent I think the Broncos could sign this offseason, and for obvious reasons.

Entering his age 30 season, Campbell is playing some of the best football of his career. He is a great influence in the locker room, and would more than replace what the Broncos lost in Malik Jackson this past season, fortifying the defensive line and also adding a dynamic pass rusher for a 300-plus pound player.

The positives are far too many to ignore for this Denver native who I think will end up signing with the Broncos for about $10 million per season, a hefty price but one worth paying for a premium player.

Andrew Whitworth, LT, Bengals

Whitworth is getting up there in age, but the Broncos could use this as an opportunity to solidify the left tackle spot for the time being, and use one of their top five picks on a player to develop as the left tackle of the future. Perhaps even a player that could swing as a guard for a year or two.

I would view the Whitworth signing as something similar to the Evan Mathis signing in 2015, but Whitworth is fully healthy and ready to contribute to a contender again.

He is the highest graded free agent by Pro Football Focus metrics. I would project Whitworth to sign for $7 or 8 million per season.

Riley Reiff, RT, Lions

When healthy, the former Iowa Hawkeyes tackle is a pretty good player, though not necessarily dominant in any area. He could come at a bargain, though the right tackle market is pretty thin as of right now and some team may be willing to overpay him.

That team could be the Lions when all is said and done, but the Lions also have to think about what they will do with right guard Larry Warford, another player that would undoubtedly interest the Broncos if he were to get to the free agent market.

I think with Reiff, you have the upside of potentially kicking him to left tackle if/when Andrew Whitworth retires, or if the player you draft as a successor is a better fit on the right side than the left. This move would give you flexibility for the future, and I think Reiff would sign a four-year deal worth $7 million per season.

Ronald Leary, OG, Cowboys

To complete the rebuild of the offensive line, the Broncos go after a player whose time in Dallas has reached its expiration. Leary played extremely well this season in relief of La’El Collins at left guard, and could allow the Broncos to move Max Garcia to the right side or see what they’ve got in Connor McGovern.

Leary is excited just to get to a team that wants him, and I think the Broncos and Denver would be a great landing spot for him. He’s still just 28, so there’s solid potential there.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There are obviously plenty of situations that make sense for the Broncos. They will have a number of very good options on the free agent market and opportunities to add at nose tackle as well as the positions I’ve mentioned.

We will definitely go through more scenarios as the offseason progresses, but these are my thoughts as of right now with what the Broncos need, what they like, and how things are moving forward.

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