Denver Broncos: 5 free agents the team could still target
Danny Shelton, DT
One area I noticed in studying the Broncos’ roster that may need some addressing is the defensive line.
Right now, the Broncos don’t have many guys on the roster who have legit NFL experience and weigh over 300 pounds.
Now, weighing over 300 pounds is not a necessity for defensive linemen nowadays, but Vic Fangio is coming over from a unit in Chicago where his uglies up front made such a huge impact, and two of his three most significant contributors were easily 300 pounds.
Akiem Hicks is listed at 6-foot-5, 324 pounds. Eddie Goldman is listed at 6-foot-4, 320 pounds.
The Broncos’ top defensive linemen are Derek Wolfe, Adam Gotsis, and Shelby Harris, who all play just at or under 300 pounds.
The best lineman the Broncos have at over 300 is Zach Kerr, a rotational player who can play inside or outside.
Perhaps Shelton, a big space eater, could come in and provide the Broncos some run stuffing abilities off the bench. He was a role player for the Patriots last year and helped them shut down the run in the Super Bowl.
If the Broncos don’t want to bring in Shelton — who is a former first-round pick and just 26 — they could reunite with veteran Domata Peko for the same reasons listed here.