Denver Broncos: George Iloka is an intriguing free agent option
The Denver Broncos have struggled with injuries at the safety position and George Iloka is now on the market. He could be an intriguing fit.
The Denver Broncos are struggling with injuries at the safety position, and George Iloka just became (surprisingly) available.
Could he be a fit in Denver? Let’s look at the situation.
Iloka’s release was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Sunday.
A stunner: The #Bengals are releasing starting safety George Iloka, per @MikeGarafolo and me. He’s started every game he’s played in since 2013. Purely a financial decision, but a 28-year-old safety hitting the market at this point is good news for interested teams.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 19, 2018
On the surface, the Broncos do not appear to really have a need for a safety.
They already have four players capable of playing a lot of snaps this season in starters Darian Stewart and Justin Simmons and backups Will Parks and Su’a Cravens.
But the Broncos are likely going to utilize all four of those guys throughout the season and certainly have room for a 10th or potentially even 11th defensive back, so why not Iloka?
Iloka himself may be looking for a more featured or prominent role in a defense, but there will be plenty of space with which to work in Denver, even with the four players mentioned above.
Iloka enjoyed the best season of his career in 2014 with Vance Joseph as his position coach in Cincinnati, racking up 79 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, and three interceptions.
The Broncos could capitalize on getting a player like Iloka in the fold as their depth at the position is currently a bit of a struggle.
Jamal Carter just went on injured reserve with a torn hamstring.
Dymonte Thomas missed the team’s second preseason game against the Chicago Bears with a hamstring injury as well.
Su’a Cravens has barely practiced due to a knee injury.
The Broncos’ defensive backfield, already short Aqib Talib this season, is banged up and in need of some potential reinforcements.
If Iloka is willing to accept whatever role the Broncos can create for him, he would give them a stellar quintet of safeties.
The price would obviously have to be right, but this is a player who has familiarity with the Broncos’ head coach and defensive style and would benefit greatly from playing with so many talented players in front of him, including his former Bengals teammate Domata Peko.
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The Broncos signed Shamarko Thomas to help shore up some depth in their secondary but it seems pretty much everyone was taken by surprise with Iloka’s release.
If everyone involved feels like getting a little creative, this could be a very fun move.