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Denver Broncos: Free agents to consider with the draft over

By Sayre Bedinger

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 17: Defensive back Darqueze Dennard #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up before the game against the Oakland Raiders at RingCentral Coliseum on November 17, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 17-10. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 17: Defensive back Darqueze Dennard #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up before the game against the Oakland Raiders at RingCentral Coliseum on November 17, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 17-10. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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Eric Reid, Denver Broncos
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: Eric Reid #25 of the Carolina Panthers after their game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Safeties

The Denver Broncos lost Will Parks in free agency, so they could be looking for a safety who can move around the defensive formation and play a key role behind Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons.

Eric Reid, Panthers

The new coaching staff in Carolina apparently didn’t want to work with Reid, who racked up a whopping 130 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks last season to go along with six pass breakups.

There’s no doubt that Reid is not every NFL executive’s favorite flavor with some of his off-field endeavors and opinions, but he’s a heck of a player and is 28 going on 29 this season.

Further, guess who was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator in 2013 when they traded up with the Cowboys to select the star safety out of LSU? That’s right — Vic Fangio. Ed Donatell was also on that staff as the defensive backs coach.

Reid was selected to a Pro Bowl in that 2013 season as well.

If the Broncos need safety depth, there are worse and more unfamiliar options.

Tony Jefferson, Ravens

Jefferson missed time this past season due to injury, but he’s a hard-hitting safety who can play in the box and be that dime linebacker type.

Jefferson doesn’t make a ton of plays on the ball as far as racking up interceptions, but he’s certainly able to play around the line of scrimmage and in the box.

Obi Melifonwu, Patriots

A second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Melifonwu’s athleticism (freak athleticism) has not yet translated to production in the NFL.

Maybe he gets into the program with the Broncos and Fangio/Donatell and they are able to get the best out of him.

dark. Next. 2020 NFL Draft analysis for every Broncos pick

There are very few 6-foot-4 safety/nickel types of players with 4.4 40-yard dashes and 44-inch vertical jumps.

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