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Denver Broncos: Ranking each of team’s pending unrestricted free agents

By Travis Wakeman

Oct 17, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson (68) enters the field before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson (68) enters the field before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos, Will Parks
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 22: Will Parks #34 of the Denver Broncos stands on the field as he warms up before a game against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos have quite a bit of work to do this offseason.

Brand new general manager George Paton will have his work cut out for him in rebuilding this Broncos team. Though his primary focus is said to be the draft, he will have to navigate the waters of free agency as well.

The Broncos will take a look around the league at the list of available free agents, but they will need to make some big decisions on some of the free agents that they have in house.

Here, we will examine the players set to become unrestricted free agents for the Broncos and rank them in terms of importance to the team going forward. This list will not include restricted free agents such as Phillip Lindsay or players with a club option such as Von Miller and Kareem Jackson.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the upcoming unrestricted free agents and how important each is to the success of the team in 2021 and beyond.

The also-rans

Joel Heath: After opting out of the 2020 season, Heath has still yet to suit up for the Broncos and probably doesn’t figure much into the team’s future plans. Undrafted out of Michigan State in 2016, Heath spent four seasons with the Houston Texans and has three career sacks.

Sylvester Williams: A former first-round pick of the team, Williams was brought back into the mix this past season when the team was battered by injuries. Though defensive line is one of the team’s bigger needs this offseason, it’s likely the Broncos move on from Sly with Mike Purcell returning from injury next  season.

Jake Butt: It’s hard to put Butt in the “also-ran” category, but he has done almost nothing in four years with the team aside from take up space on injured reserve. Perhaps he would have better luck in a different uniform.

Joe Jones: Jones is mainly a special teams player for the Broncos who can add depth at the inside linebacker position. He has a chance to come back on a short-term deal due to his ability to lead the special teams.

Anthony Chickillo: Another player brought in because the team was ravaged by injuries, Chickillo likely won’t be re-signed unless the team was really intrigued by the seven tackles and one sack he registered in 11 games with the team.

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