Denver Broncos: Free agent defensive linemen who can help

The Denver Broncos still need some help on the defensive line in free agency. Which players are still available who could be of help in 2020?

The Denver Broncos are at that stage of free agency where they are primarily adding depth on both sides of the ball, but they still have plenty of cap space to work with.

With around $4.5 million in cap space required to be put forth for 2020 NFL Draft picks, the Broncos should be working with over $17 million in available space. That’s more than enough cap space to sign some more help on either side of the ball, especially on the defensive line.

The Broncos brought back Mike Purcell at the nose tackle spot, and they traded a seventh-round pick for Jurrell Casey. The Broncos also have 2019 third-round pick Dre’Mont Jones and 2017 second-round pick DeMarcus Walker, but depth is still something this team needs to look into both in the remainder of free agency as well as the 2020 NFL Draft.

Although it seems like the Broncos and their own free agents — Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris — have decided to part ways one way or another, there are still some intriguing options now on the back end of the free agent market on the defensive line.

Let’s take a look at some names they could have interest in.

Marcell Dareus, Jacksonville Jaguars

Once upon a time, the Broncos were linked to Marcell Dareus with the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

That seems like a lifetime ago, especially considering Dareus has not been playing at the level he did for the first four years in his career when he was one of the top interior players in the NFL.

The Jacksonville Jaguars declined a club option on Dareus this offseason after he had just 2.5 sacks with them in 30 games.

Still, at the age of 30, Dareus’ talent and what he once brought to the table could be worth exploring for the right price.

Mike Daniels, Detroit Lions

Better known for what he did with the Green Bay Packers, Mike Daniels has been one of the more productive pass rushing interior linemen in the NFL since he came into the league in 2012.

The former University of Iowa product played for the Detroit Lions last season, and at this point that’s a pretty good indicator of the Broncos’ interest as they’ve brought in former Lions Graham Glasgow, Jeff Driskel, and Sam Martin this offseason.

Daniels has only played 19 games the past two seasons, but he says he’s 100 percent recovered from a foot injury that has given him some grief. He would be a fascinating option next to Jurrell Casey.

Damon Harrison, Detroit Lions

The defensive lineman affectionately known as “Snacks” had a productive 2019 season for the Lions after coming over in a trade with the New York Giants in 2018.

Harrison is an effective run defender and he plays under 50 percent of the snaps, but he is still capable of making an impact even going on 32 years of age.

He racked up 49 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks last year for the Lions and could possibly be a post-draft addition for the Broncos if they don’t love their depth on the line.

Christian Covington, Dallas Cowboys

Covington would be looking to regain the trajectory he was on as of the 2018 season, his fourth with the Houston Texans in which he racked up eight QB hits, 3.5 sacks, and four tackles for loss.

A rotational player, Covington started all 16 games last year for the Cowboys but played less than 50 percent of the team’s snaps. His production dipped a bit but he’s still young — only 26 — and would have a chance to reunite with Kareem Jackson and John Pagano in Denver.

Timmy Jernigan, Philadelphia Eagles

Good health has been tough to come by for Jernigan in recent years, but when he’s on he’s a very good interior pass rusher.

On a per-16 game basis, he averages four sacks and 11 QB hits. That’s very solid and going on 28 years of age, he’s still got some good football in him if he can stay on the field.

Jernigan is an explosive player from the 3T position and in, so he would undoubtedly be a rotational rusher but he could be a productive pickup.