With most big names already signed, which free agents could the Denver Broncos go after for a bargain price?
The Denver Broncos made a few key signings this offseason with the additions of guard Graham Glasgow, running back Melvin Gordon, tight end Nick Vannett, punter Sam Martin, among others.
They still need to sign their 2020 rookie draft class. That does not leave them with a ton of money to use on any big-name free agents.
It is entirely possible that they are just done signing anybody other than their draft picks, but for a bargain price, they could get some quality backups.
The talent level is surprisingly strong in the free-agent market. With Jadeveon Clowney, Cam Newton, Everson Griffen, Logan Ryan, and others still available, there are definitely some quality players who can help teams in need.
But spoiler alert: Those particular players do not seem destined to become members of the Broncos.
Here are some free agents that could be of interest to the Denver Broncos for a bargain price.
S Reshad Jones or Darian Stewart
The Broncos don’t have experience at the safety position past their starters Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson. Despite the team’s supposed confidence in their safety group, adding either Reshad Jones or bringing back Darian Stewart may be reasonable options.
Jones was a tremendous player for the Dolphins for 10 seasons, racking up 21 interceptions (five in 2015), 55 passes defended, three forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, two touchdowns, and 10.5 sacks. He also had 599 tackles for the Dolphins during his 10-year career. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and 2017.
Stewart was a great asset to the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 run. In four years for Denver, Stewart recorded 254 tackles, nine interceptions, 24 passes defended, and two forced fumbles. He was a Pro Bowler in 2016.
Neither of these players would be expected to get a huge contract at this point in the offseason.
LT Kelvin Beachum
The Broncos are going to be moving on from Garett Bolles following the 2020 season, so why not sign a veteran and get him into camp before that day comes?
Beachum has had plenty of experience during his time in the league. He was a seventh-round pick of the Steelers and spent four seasons protecting Ben Roethlisberger before moving on to the Jaguars for one year. He then signed with the New York Jets and played three seasons there, protecting Sam Darnold, as well as the other quarterbacks that played for New York last year.
The 31-year old Beachum also played for now-Broncos offensive line coach Mike Munchak for two seasons in Pittsburgh.
The Broncos are going to let Garett Bolles compete for the starting job this offseason with Elijah Wilkinson. It is not likely that Bolles will be replaced by Wilkinson. This is just a way to improve his competitiveness. Beachum could do the same thing, and ultimately maybe be Bolles’ successor at the left tackle position for the Broncos.
ILB Darron Lee
Could Darron Lee be a decent backup at inside linebacker? His potential is there. Despite having an off year during his lone season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Lee has shown that he can use his speed to his advantage.
As for him in a Broncos uniform, he could come in and compete after signing a 1-year prove-it deal. Todd Davis and Alexander Johnson are locked in as the starters at inside linebacker, but due to his not-so-great year with the Chiefs, he could be signed as a bargain.
Lee hasn’t been great at coverage but in Vic Fangio’s system, who knows? Maybe it is a match made in heaven. I think that taking a look at Lee is worth the risk. As I said, it’s not like he would be signing a huge deal that would put the team in debt.
The Broncos were rumored to have been interested in Lee last year before he was traded to the Chiefs. Now that he is a free agent, he could be worth taking a look at for very cheap.
A variety of veteran cornerbacks
The Denver Broncos’ cornerback position is a pretty significant question mark at this point in the offseason.
It may not be a big question mark to the front office and coaching staff, but this is a position group with a newcomer in AJ Bouye as the team’s CB1 and a player coming off of injury (Bryce Callahan) expected to be the team’s CB2 or CB3.
Besides those two guys, the Broncos are loaded with youth. There are some experienced and talented veterans at the cornerback position in free agency who could help.
Logan Ryan, Titans
There was a report earlier this offseason that Logan Ryan was signing with the New York Jets, but that hasn’t officially happened yet. He loaded up the stat sheet with the Titans last season and has been productive throughout his career.
Trumaine Johnson, Jets
Once a big-money free agent signing, Trumaine Johnson is very productive at making plays on the ball when he’s healthy, but he has struggled to stay healthy the last two seasons.
Still, he’s a big-name veteran who might not be a bad idea on a short contract.
Darqueze Dennard, Bengals
The former first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals developed into a really solid nickel cornerback and signed a three-year contract with the Jaguars in free agency.
Before he officially signed the deal, he decided he didn’t like it and has been on the market since before the 2020 NFL Draft.
Still searching for work, Dennard could be a nice bargain free agent for the Broncos at this point in the offseason.
Dre Kirkpatrick, Bengals
Another former first-rounder of the Bengals, Kirkpatrick doesn’t have an interception since 2017 but perhaps in Vic Fangio’s defense, he could find the fountain of youth and be an effective player.
QB Trevor Siemian
Could the Broncos and quarterback Trevor Siemian reunite? There may not be much interest between the two sides (if any at all), but for a seventh-round pick, Siemian was decent for the Broncos during his time in Denver.
Of course, he would compete for the backup spot to Drew Lock, with Jeff Driskel standing in the way. I think it would be cool to see Siemian back in Denver. He showed some promise last season while filling in for Sam Darnold, before busting his ankle.
The question is whether or not the Broncos keep three quarterbacks. Siemian could probably easily beat out Brett Rypien for that spot. But my money would be on the Broncos keeping two quarterbacks before the move to replace Rypien with Siemian happens.
It’s not the best storyline out there by any means, but on a cheap deal, why not take a flier on the former starter?