Denver Broncos: 5 free agents to sign before 2021 training camp

2. Malik Hooker, S

I have already pounded the table for the Denver Broncos to be the team that signs Malik Hooker, and I will continue to do so until he actually settles on a team for the 2021 season.

Vic Fangio runs a two-high safety defense and yes, the Denver Broncos have arguably the best duo of safeties in the NFL right now in Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson. With that being said, Jackson is getting up there in age and behind those two guys, the depth at safety is a couple of incoming rookies (Caden Sterns and Jamar Johnson).

The Broncos also obviously value the special teams abilities of guys like PJ Locke and Trey Marshall, but it’s possible that both could be replaced in their “teams” roles by Sterns and Johnson.

I would love to see the Broncos sign a player like Hooker to a team-friendly two-year contract, giving them the option to keep him beyond this season as a possible longer-term replacement to Kareem Jackson.

With the way Vic Fangio’s defense has helped so many other safeties play their best football, why would you not go after a talent like this?

Hooker’s issue has been staying healthy, and availability is a trait that cannot be coached. With that said, when Hooker is on the field, he is productive. He has seven interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 34 career games. Getting him as an interchangeable deep safety so Kareem Jackson can do what he does best attacking the line of scrimmage would be a huge coup for the Broncos at this point, especially if they can get the best out of him.

Hooker also just turned 25, so it’s not like he’s past the point of no return, either.