5. Everson Griffen, DE
In terms of joining a familiar defensive scheme, this would be a tough fit to project for Everson Griffen.
However, Vic Fangio’s defense has proven to be very adaptable to players of all shapes and sizes at every position area, and the defensive line is no exception.
Everson Griffen is built like a traditional power 4-3 defensive end. He is listed at 6-foot-3, 273 pounds, so it’s not like he is going to go out there and get bullied around playing defensive end in Vic Fangio’s scheme.
Griffen was, at one point in time, a fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings and obviously, George Paton is very familiar with him. The Vikings gave Griffen a second contract and he was one of the best and most productive pass rushers in franchise history while he was there.
He’s been credited with 80.5 sacks and 190 quarterback hits since he came into the league in 2010, including six sacks last season between stints with both the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions.
He finished the 2020 season with 23 total pressures on less than 600 total snaps. That kind of efficiency off the edge would be most welcome in Denver and the idea of putting him in front of Bradley Chubb or Von Miller is a very interesting one, to say the least.
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At the age of 33, Griffen is still playing some really good football.