Denver Broncos: Geno Atkins could be an option in free agency
Veteran defensive lineman Geno Atkins remains on the free-agent market but with training camps about to open up, could be looking to sign with a new team.
A fourth-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, Atkins has spent his entire 11-year career in Cincy where he has become one of the best players in franchise history. During his time there, he made the Pro Bowl eight times.
Atkins tore his rotator cuff last year and missed a good portion of the 2020 season. However, he has been cleared to take part in football-related activities and is expected to start visiting teams soon.
A trip to Denver should be on his itinerary.
If Atkins were willing to accept a reduced role at 33 years old, he would be a great fit. The Broncos dealt with quite a few injuries along the defensive line last year and the depth behind the projected starters — Shelby Harris, Mike Purcell, and Dre’Mont Jones — is a bit questionable.
If the Broncos could get Atkins at a decent price and get him to agree to take on much fewer snaps than he is normally accustomed to, the move makes a lot of sense. Then if the team did suffer an injury along the defensive line, the experienced and accomplished Atkins could get in and take on a bigger role.
For his career, Atkins has been one of the most dominant defensive tackles in football. He is stout against the run and can also still rush the passer, traits that landed him on the 2010s All-Decade Team.
Atkins has 384 career tackles and his 75.5 career sacks rank third on the Bengals’ all-time list behind only Carlos Dunlap and Eddie Edwards.
Next. 5 forgotten Broncos quarterbacks. dark
The Broncos could use more depth on the defensive line and the kind of experience that Atkins would bring with him could be invaluable. Any team that signs him will obviously have to feel content that he is fully recovered from his injury, but he could be a great value signing, especially at this stage of the offseason.