Denver Broncos: How to fix the team for the long-term future
4. Spend in Free Agency, Satisfy Draft Needs
After bringing in a new coaching staff, selling veterans for draft capital, and trading for a quarterback, the Broncos need to fill the rest of their roster holes via free agency and the NFL Draft.
The Denver Broncos are poised to have nearly $80 million in cap space next offseason, and George Paton showed a tendency to spend money during his first offseason.
I don’t believe in holding onto or carrying over too much cap space into the season–if you have the money, spend it, smartly.
I trust George Paton after having a solid free agency and first draft, and I think the Broncos will have more holes to fill, so George Paton may end up being way more active this coming offseason.
Let’s look at the projected free agents for 2022. After trading away Kyle Fuller, Kareem Jackson, and Bryce Callahan, the Broncos may need to sign someone to fill the holes in the secondary.
Caden Sterns looks very capable of replacing Jackson, and the Broncos may see value in Kary Vincent, Jr as a Bryce Callahan replacement. The Broncos will also have Ronald Darby and Patrick Surtain II, so, while they may not need to spend money on a lockdown corner, adding another one might help.
J.C. Jackson of the New England Patriots has enjoyed a lot of success and would make the Broncos’ secondary that much better. He had 9 interceptions in 2020 and would bring another ball-hawking presence to the backend of the defense.
How about linebacker? The Broncos are probably high enough on Baron Browning and Justin Strnad, but both Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson are free agents next year, so there’s no guarantee they return.
Leighton Vader Esch is a former All-Pro and Pro Bowler on the Dallas Cowboys, and perhaps will eventually fall out of favor with the rest of the Cowboys linebacking core.
I would love it if the Broncos made a play for LVE, giving the team a high-quality linebacker and allowing Browning and Strnad to perhaps develop more.
Plus, it’s clear that the team needs depth in many places, and I think our linebackers are one of them.
The Broncos may also need to add some pieces on the edge. With Von Miller’s status up in the air after this season, and Bradley Chubb not being able to stay on the field, signing someone to help the pass rush may be a smart thing to do.
Malik Reed is a free agent after this year, and I think he gets re-signed.
The Broncos could consider bringing in Dante Fowler, Jr, who has pass-rush ability. He realistically starts if Von Miller leaves or could be a high-quality depth piece if Von returns.
There aren’t a lot of options along the offensive line for the Broncos to look at during the free agency period. The team is high on both Netane Muti and Quinn Meinerz, so I think one or both of those players will start in 2022.
The long-term solution for the Broncos at right tackle may have to come from the draft, and the only option that I think the team could consider upgrading their center position is Ryan Jensen.
If the Broncos lose Tim Patrick in free agency next year, perhaps they’d consider signing someone to take his place. I think the team ultimately re-signs Courtland Sutton, and we can’t forget about Jerry Jeudy or KJ Hamler.
George Paton may not break the bank for another pass catcher, but it’s clear that depth is needed after Sutton, Jeudy, and Hamler if those are your top three heading into the season.
While unlikely, perhaps the Broncos make a play for Davante Adams in hopes of luring Aaron Rodgers to Denver, or even Mike Williams, an X receiver who is currently having the best season of his career.
Another name to consider is Josh Reynolds, who spent time with the Rams before signing with the Titans before the season.
I do think, either way, that there will be some movement in the wide receiver room before the 2022 season.
With Melvin Gordon surely gone after this season, the Broncos may way to look at more help with their running back room.
Ronald Jones II could be an option to pair behind Javonte Williams. He’s in his fourth year with the Buccaneers, still just 24, and has been in a reserve role with the Bucs this season, so perhaps he’s fallen out of favor with the team.
Since we talked about free agents, let’s hit on a couple of draft prospects the Broncos should consider.
Evan Neal is the best offensive lineman in the country, and will probably be out of the Broncos range, but at 6’7″ and 360 pounds, Neal is a physical specimen who has played multiple positions along the line.
Another prospect is Abraham Lucas from Washington State. He has over 30 starts at right tackle–he’s loaded with experience and is a giant of a man, standing at 6’7″. The Broncos desperately need a long-term answer at right tackle, and these are just two names to consider.
Obviously, there are names at quarterback to consider in the draft as well, but part of me thinks George Paton is going to end up with a franchise quarterback via trade.
I don’t have all the answers, obviously, but it’s clear that changes need to be made if the Denver Broncos want to right the ship.