Denver Broncos: Ranking the team’s remaining needs

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Vic Fangio, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears

Aug 25, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY SportsChicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.Nfl Kansas City Chiefs At Chicago Bears /

The Denver Broncos appear to be in pretty good position following a wave of moves they made at the beginning of free agency.

Let’s run through the acquisitions and losses:

Acquisitions

Justin Simmons via a contract extension
Cornerback Kyle Fuller
Cornerback Ronald Darby
Running back Mike Boone
Re-signed safety Kareem Jackson
Placed second-round tender on WR Tim Patrick
Placed second-round tender on ILB Alexander Johnson

Losses

Phillip Lindsay signed with Houston Texans
Elijah Wilkinson signed with the Chicago Bears
Jeremiah Attaochu signed with the Chicago Bears
Cut DT Jurrell Casey
Cut CB A.J. Bouye

The Broncos had a successful free agency period

The top move the team made this offseason was re-signing All-Pro Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons to a long-term deal. Every other retainee/acquisition was just icing on the cake.

Perhaps the biggest loss was Jeremiah Attaochu, and even still, he was a reserve outside linebacker with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb being the starters pending injuries.

Casey and Bouye were already previously cut prior to the start of free agency and it was clear a while ago that they were not going to be in the team’s plans.

So, where does the team stand in terms of needs now?

Let’s start on the offensive side of the ball.

The Broncos are still looking for a competition quarterback to compete with Drew Lock. That’s got to be the most important piece at this point. Whether you are still rooting for Lock or you want the new signee to come in and win the job, the Broncos need an upgrade there.

After Friday’s blockbuster trade involving the San Francisco 49ers moving up to the third overall pick, it is expected that the first four picks of the 2021 NFL draft will all be quarterbacks.

That does not give the Broncos much room if they wanted to draft one of the top guys in the first round. Unless they love the fifth guy (presumably Mac Jones) or they make a blockbuster trade themselves, they probably won’t be getting their future quarterback in this year’s draft.

The most likely result of an addition at quarterback appears to be through a trade for a veteran.

Sam Darnold, Gardner Minshew, and Nick Foles have been linked to the Broncos in recent weeks. Alex Smith is another option the team could look at. The plus side of adding Smith is that he is a free agent.

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