Defensive Acquisitions
Free-Agent Acquisition:
Similar to the offensive side of the ball, the Denver Broncos starters are basically set for 2021. With that said, Paton has stated in just about every public setting possible, that he is looking to improve any and every position, as a good GM should.
Paton is not committed to a particular room being average simply because it will suffice, but he is looking to build each room up and out. What I mean by that is he is looking to add depth and potential upgrades to any position that he is able to.
As far as upgrading a particular position, only one sticks out to me in 2021.
Linebacker has been a position that fans and media have desired improvement in since the departure of Danny Trevathan. There actually are a few options out there that could serve as potential upgrades to one of the current starters, Josey Jewell.
Alexander Johnson is a solid piece in the middle of this defense, and I do not see a need to address his position. Jewell on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired. Players like Avery Williamson, KJ Wright, and Kwon Alexander are all current free agents and would be positional upgrades over Jewell.
If I were Paton, I would personally avoid Williamson. This Denver Broncos defense has been built under one philosophy, flexibility.
What I mean by this, Fangio likes players who are multi-dimensional and do not restrict what he able to do as a head coach/coordinator in this defense. For example, Kareem Jackson is a safety that provides the ability to drop in the box and hit just as well as a linebacker.
Another example is linebacker Alexander Johnson, he was sent on a blitz 115 times in 2020 as an inside linebacker. Bryce Callahan is a cornerback that is elite in the slot but has the flexibility to play well on the outside also.
This is why I would turn to KJ Wright or Kwon Alexander. Both have shown the ability to not be a complete liability in pass coverage, ability to be an effective blitzer, and still be a force as a tackling machine.
If KJ Wright does not return to Seattle, he would be the backup option. While he was ok in pass coverage, he still allowed a completion percentage of 77.3% in 2020. He is also a bit older, so there is a concern if he would still be as fluid as he once was.
Wright had a combined 86 tackles and one interception in 2020, along with blitzing on 72 snaps in 16 games played. Wright also offers a bit more reliability than Alexander, as he only played in 12 games in 2020, and has missed quite a few throughout his career.
Kwon Alexander was a member of the San Fransisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints in 2020. As a talented and still young player, Alexander has yet to find a forever home as he has been inept to injuries throughout his carer.
In 2018, he only played in 6 games, and in 2019 he only played in 8 games. This is concerning, but if Josey Jewell is still on this roster, this provides comfortability. Alexander plays well in coverage, he garnished a completion percentage of 59.5% while on the field in 2020.
Additionally, Alexander had four pass deflections and two forced fumbles along with 57 combined tackles. With Alexander only being 26 during the 2020 season and his upside, that is why I would lean towards making him a Denver Bronco in 2021, in comparison to KJ Wright.
Now, this is where Aaron Rodgers is brought into the discussion.