Denver Broncos free agency day one recap and reactions

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans returns his interception during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams # of the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 25, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans returns his interception during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams # of the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 25, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 30: Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a tackle in the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 30: Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a tackle in the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Kareem Jackson

Let’s start by talking about the signing of Kareem Jackson.

The rumor before free agency was that the Broncos’ first splash was going to be at cornerback, and that certainly proved to be prophetic.

Jackson signed a three-year contract with the Broncos worth about $11 million per season, a hefty price but a fair price for a player as tough, consistent, and durable as Jackson.

I first became alerted to the proficiency of Jackson by Jeffrey Essary, a good friend at Mile High Report. Jeffrey’s breakdown of Jackson — who is 30 going on 31 — convinced me he would be the perfect fit for the outside cornerback position in Denver.

So much so, I included Jackson in my top three free agent signing predictions on Monday.

Jackson is quick, physical, and understands as a veteran how to play the game the right way.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson was the fourth highest graded cornerback in football last year right behind Chris Harris Jr. (This graphic says 5th, but I’m looking at the list and he’s 4th)

This is a very exciting move by the Broncos, who lost Aqib Talib last year because they couldn’t afford his $12 million cap figure, and are probably losing a former first-round pick in Bradley Roby this offseason.

Jackson, another former first-round pick, brings the kind of toughness and physicality to the cornerback position the combination of Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell love.