Free agents the Denver Broncos could still target

Justin Houston, OLB

Justin Houston has terrorized the Denver Broncos for a long time.

In 12 games against Denver, Houston has 14.5 sacks, easily the most he has against any individual team. The next most is 7.5 against the Chargers.

It really doesn’t make any sense for Houston to play for less than $10 million per year, nor does it really make sense for him to play the role of ‘sixth man’ at just 30 years of age.

Top edge players at the age of 30 are still getting paid a lot of money and Houston should be no different.

Yet, he remains on the market. He remains unsigned and that will undoubtedly change eventually, but why not sign in Denver?

Here are a few reasons he might consider it.

For starters, he will have the chance to stick it to the Chiefs if that interests him. Not all former Chiefs want the chance to show them what they are missing, but Houston getting flat out cut after all he’s done for them?

Second, Houston would have the chance to play in Vic Fangio’s scheme, which is known for being highly favorable to pass rushers.

Third, there will be plenty of snaps to go around. The Broncos have two guys in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb who could play every snap of a game if needed, but keeping pass rushers fresh throughout the game is a luxury the Broncos only had once before, when they had a stellar quartet from 2014-16 including Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.

With Ware, the Broncos’ third edge player was such an essential piece.

Houston is also a player who wouldn’t have to play every down to be effective. This guy is one of the best closers in the game.

In 47 career games decided by seven points or less, he has 33.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles.

This could be a longshot of an idea, but it’s at least worth trying if you’re the Broncos.