Denver Broncos 2020 free agency wish list: Upgrades all over

Defensive Backfield

Wish list: Justin Simmons (long-term), Prince Amukamara (Bears), De’Vante Bausby

In an ideal world, the Denver Broncos would not have to put the franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons and could get a long-term deal done with the star safety sooner rather than later.

Either way, we know that Simmons is going to be back in Denver for the 2020 season, so the wish list item there is to get him locked in for the foreseeable future.

Outside of Simmons, the Broncos’ acquisition of AJ Bouye makes their potential free agent pursuits relatively modest.

With Simmons likely to get the tag, the Broncos will already have four defensive backs among their top 10 highest cap hits in 2020: Kareem Jackson, Simmons, AJ Bouye, and Bryce Callahan.

Even considering the amount of money they’ve invested in the defensive backfield, last year’s struggles at cornerback showed everyone that the Broncos have a desperate need for depth and preferably experience in the defensive backfield.

Who better to provide that in the short term than Prince Amukamara, who thrived in Chicago with Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell?

Amukamara certainly won’t cost more than Josh Norman, a more decorated player who received one year, $6 million from the Buffalo Bills. At that kind of price range, Amukamara is a tremendous value, a fit for the defense, and a veteran presence at a position that needs it.

Further, the Broncos should look to re-sign De’Vante Bausby, a young player who appeared poised to break out last season before an injury cost him the majority of the 2019 campaign.

With Simmons and Jackson, the Broncos have arguably the best safety duo in the league. With AJ Bouye, Prince Amukamara, Bryce Callahan, De’Vante Bausby, Isaac Yiadom, Duke Dawson, and Davontae Harris, they have a deep room of cornerbacks to go along with it.