The Denver Broncos and George Paton have a very important offseason ahead of them. The decisions that Paton and head coach Vic Fangio make this offseason will lay another level to the foundation so the team can push for the playoffs sooner rather than later.
The team has been through a several-year rebuild, which has caused fans to become anxious as they clamor for a winner. That clamoring has put quite a bit of pressure on Paton as a first-time GM.
The future of the organization, and whether or not they can compete for a playoff spot and ultimately a Super Bowl berth begins this offseason.
The Broncos already have several cornerstone players, making for a solid foundation of talent to compete with the league’s elites. This team is a “sleeping giant”, and may be closer to competing for a championship sooner than many think.
The organization is hoping Paton, the team’s new general manager, can come in and add more depth and talent in free agency, and the draft. The team must address all of their roster needs and set a course of action before the new league year starts.
This means that there Poton as a few must-dos to help avoid mistakes that inhibit the team’s ability to make moves to upgrade their talent this year, and the years ahead.
Paton and the Broncos will benefit from moving through these five must-dos to ensure the offseason is successful.
Must-do number 1; Get Justin Simmons and Shelby Harris re-signed ASAP
Justin Simmons is the example of a player who deserves a second contract with the team that drafted him. He does it all on and off of the field.
Simmons is coming off of All-Pro honors in 2019 and a Pro-Bowl honor in 2020 after playing on the franchise tag. Additionally, Simmons provides community support in a variety of ways through the Justin Simmons Foundation.
Simply, the man deserves to be paid. Simmons is a play-maker on the field and a tremendous leader off of it.
The Broncos may have to franchise-tag Simmons for the second year in a row to ensure exclusive negotiating rights. However, the team would rather not do that, and they mustn’t do it.
It is time for the Broncos to show their players that when you perform, you’ll receive the security of a second contract. Also, Simmons fits Paton’s model of a “draft and develop guy”, and his signing would keep in-house talent home.
Shelby Harris bounced around the league before finding a home in Denver.
In Fangio’s defense, Harris has been a dynamic playmaker in terms of rush production and passes batted down.
Whether he’s getting to the quarterback or getting into passing lanes, Harris is a difference-maker.
He returned to Denver at a below-market deal. Paton cannot assume it’ll happen again. Harris may not require top dollar, but the team must come with a strong offer to retain his services.
Re-signing these two is a must-do, no-brainer for Paton in his first offseason as the Broncos GM.
Must-do number 2: Restructure Von Miller
Von Miller is an organizational icon and is a key to the Broncos’ defensive success since he entered the league. The former 2nd overall selection in 2011 has one year remaining on his deal, and the Broncos could find significant cap savings if they move on.
Cap space, coupled with ongoing off-the-field issues, could lead to Paton finding plenty of reasons to move off of Miller.
There are plenty of options to address the edge position in free agency and the NFL draft. Yet, none of those players are Miller.
None bring his explosion and most would carry a high price tag. No player they can bring in would be an upgrade
If the team is going to spend top-dollar, they might as well do it with a guy who has excelled for the franchise for the past decade. No player they can bring in would be an upgrade.
However, as Ian Rapport has suggested, the team seems likely to keep Miller and will be working towards a deal keeping the edge rusher in orange and blue for the foreseeable future.
Miller is still an elite player at one of the game’s most important positions. His presence on the field could ensure this defense continues to be one of the NFL’s best.
Must-do number 3: Get Bryce Callahan a running mate
Bryce Callahan played like CB1 last season, but he was often flanked by players who simply did not hold up their end of the bargain.
A.J. Bouye was a disappointment in his lone season in Denver, and rookie Michael Ojemudia was up-and-down, to say the least.
Paton must attack the cornerback room this offseason and get Callahan some help. Adding multiple players also provides the team insurance for often injured Callahan, whose contact is up after this season.
Now, Paton must do this by addressing the position both in the draft and in free agency. The team has a chance to bring in a big fish with the release of Boyue and Jurrell Casey. With some spending money, Paton must bring in a quality starter capable of matching up with the quality receivers in the AFC West.
One cornerback won’t be enough, and the team should address the position again early in the NFL draft. Guys like Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley, Alabama’s Patrick Surtain, and South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn are all good options for the team.
Must-do number 4; Bring in speed at linebacker in the 2021 draft
Paton saw how Vic Fangio used speed at linebacker from their days competing in the NFC North. The Broncos have made do with guys like Todd Davis and Josey Jewell next to Alexander Johnson but must find an upgrade this offseason.
Now, the Broncos could bring in a free agent this offseason but may find their best solution is to draft a linebacker.
There are a lot of quality players that will be available within the first 3 rounds of the draft who project as starters, and potential upgrades for the team.
Justin Strnad, a 2020 draft pick, may be a long-term play for this team but the Paton should add another player to pair with him.
A player like Jabril Cox, a linebacker out of LSU, would be a nice player who should be available on day two of the draft. A guy like Cox could really push for playing time and add some real speed and coverage ability to a position that has missed it since Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall teamed up in 2015.
Must-do number 1: Move on from Deshaun Watson and commit to Drew Lock (at least for now)
Deshaun Watson may be available, but at the moment he is not. Reports continue to suggest the Houston Texans are not willing to let go of their franchise quarterback.
The Broncos, who could make a move for Watson, are in a tough position and cannot wait for the drama in Houston to subside.
Paton has the number 9 overall selection, likely too late for a top quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. The free-agent class may provide some veteran presence, but no real upgrade for the Broncos.
So…the tam should continue to allow the current starter, Drew Lock, the chance to develop. Moving on from the trade scenarios would allow the team the chance to create a clear offseason plan.
At least for now. Until Watson is available, he isn’t an option and with no clear upgrades, the team would be best served to roll with their current young quarterback.
Drew Lock still has a chance to be special and could grow with the coaching staff and the majority of the offense roster returning. That consistency plus the return of Courtland Sutton should give the fans hope is Lock is under center for the Broncos again in 2021.
Lock’s play improved over the final six games gives us all a glimpse into the type of player he can be.
Broncos 2021 mock draft: Trading down and stocking on defense
In the latest Denver Broncos 2021 mock draft, we predict what George Paton would do in a trade down scenario to stockpile selections.
The team must maneuver through the offseason with intention, and cannot do so if they simply wait for Watson to shake free. If he does, the team should pounce, but for now, Paton must plan on who is actually available for them at every position, especially the quarterback position.