Denver Broncos free agent target: CB Aaron Colvin

If the Denver Broncos are forced to part ways with Aqib Talib this offseason, they can get younger at CB by signing Aaron Colvin…

The Denver Broncos may be looking at the unfortunate reality of having to move on from cornerback Aqib Talib this offseason. While it’s impossible to think of replacing Talib altogether, the Broncos must find a way to adequately move on, meaning a replacement will need to be brought in via free agency or the draft.

That is assuming the Broncos do not feel they have anyone in-house to replace Talib in short order.

Brendan Langley was picked in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but in limited action this past season did not appear ready for a premiere role in the Broncos’ defense.

One player who may be primed for an expanded role and is also a free agent this offseason is Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Aaron Colvin, a former fourth round pick who looks ready for a decent pay upgrade.

There are a number of solid free agent cornerbacks available in 2018, but Colvin is perhaps the most underrated because of who he played with in Jacksonville.

Of course, being behind Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, you’re not going to make many headlines, but Colvin was very solid in coverage this year despite not having any interceptions, allowing just 5.6 yards per target, good for fourth in the NFL.

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I really liked Colvin coming out of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he’s certainly lived up to the hype as an NFL player even in more limited snaps than you’d like him to see. He was a borderline first round talent with the Oklahoma Sooners and then tore his ACL in the pre-draft process, pushing him down to the fourth round.

After playing over 92 percent of the defensive snaps for Jacksonville in 2015, Colvin played in just 10 games the following year. In 2017, he played roughly 68 percent of the snaps, so he could see an expanded role up to 75 percent of defensive snaps if he were to sign in Denver and take over Bradley Roby’s old role, as Roby moves into Talib’s role.

If Colvin were available for $6-7 million per season (perhaps a very optimistic outlook), the Broncos could save money and get a young, improving player in the building at a position that has been a major area of strength for this team.