Denver Broncos: Debating available free agents as upgrades

Defensive Front Seven: Johnathan Hankins, Navorro Bowman, Cliff Avril

The Broncos could look at a number of defensive front seven players available in free agency as possible upgrades over backups, but what about starters?

On the defensive line, one player that I’ve liked for the Broncos is Johnathan Hankins, a former high draft pick of the New York Giants who spent last year with the Indianapolis Colts.

Hankins is a young player allegedly asking for far too much money and his availability reflects that.

He could possibly be an upgrade if the Broncos wanted better depth at nose tackle, but is he better than Domata Peko?

In the middle of the defense, the Broncos have starters Brandon Marshall and Todd Davis as well as promising rookie Josey Jewell.

I would say that Navorro Bowman is an upgrade over Davis but signing Bowman would take snaps away from Jewell, and Jewell has the potential to be a top-flight linebacker in the NFL.

Off the edge, Cliff Avril has been part of one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL in Seattle and is a very good pass rusher when healthy.

The Broncos’ depth off the edge, however, is insane, though he would probably be their third or fourth best rusher behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

For the money, it’s probably not worth it.

Upgrades? No.