With free agency set to begin in mid-March, who are some younger, 25 years old and under free agents that the Denver Broncos could target?
The Denver Broncos do have one of the younger rosters in the NFL, especially on offense, which is a great sign for the long-term.
Not every team can boast a young roster, and it would be refreshing to see general manager George Paton target some younger free agents.
While most wouldn’t hate it if the team signed Chandler Jones, who is over 30, it would be a smart move to target free agents who are young, because many of them are either in their prime or set to hit their prime years.
Playing in the NFL is one of the most physically demanding things a person can do to their bodies, so it’s understandable that players begin to deteriorate as they hit close to 30 years old.
With that said, who are some 25 years old and younger free agents that the Denver Broncos could target for 2022 and beyond?
Denver Broncos 25 and under free agents
Carlton Davis, CB
Carlton Davis is an above-average corner who has spent his entire career with the Buccaneers so far.
Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Davis has shown consistency throughout his first four seasons.
Davis is also projected to land a contract that would pay him almost $20 million per year, which is top money for a cornerback.
He’s got good size at 6’1″, 206 pounds, and is uber aggressive, which is a must if you play in a Fangio-style defense. He’s an excellent tackler and has 52 passes defended in his career, along with six interceptions.
He does have a bit of trouble staying on the field, though, as he played in just 10 games this season and has only played in as many as 14 games in a season.
Davis’ injury concerns could be enough for a team to not pay him a ton of money, but the Denver Broncos did give Ronald Darby $30 million, and he has his own share of injury concerns.
Signing Carlton Davis would be an overall smart signing for the team, being that both Bryce Callahan and Kyle Fuller are free agents. Denver has a need in the secondary.
Denver Broncos 25 and under free agents
James Daniels, OL
If I bring up the Chicago Bears offensive line, most of us would turn away in disgust. It wasn’t too good this year, but they have a young stud along the offensive line who Denver should be interested in.
James Daniels could give Denver a nice boost along the interior. Daniels, a former Iowa Hawkeye, was drafted in 2018 and is set to hit free agency.
He played all 17 games this season after appearing in just 5 in 2020. He has experience at guard and center, and turned 24 in September.
According to PFF, not only are his grades are solid, but he’s allowed just five sacks in his four-year career, which includes 54 career games.
James Daniels is also projected to land a contract that would pay him just north of $7 million per year, which is an insanely good deal for a quality, versatile offensive lineman.
I believe that Denver needs to find some improvement along the interior of the offensive line. Daniels could replace Lloyd Cushenberry, or even slide into the left guard position, while Quinn Meinerz holds down the right guard spot.
We’ll see if the Denver Broncos make a play for Daniels. They would be smart to do so.
Denver Broncos 25 and under free agents
Marcus Williams, S
How about another quality secondary piece? Marcus Williams was a part of the New Orleans Saints’ 2017 draft class, which was historically good.
Williams, who has played his entire five-year career with the Saints, is set to hit unrestricted free agency, and with New Orleans in cap hell again, Williams might find a better financial opportunity elsewhere.
In his 5 seasons, he has 15 career interceptions, 320 total tackles, and 38 passes defensed in 76 career games.
Williams stays on the field, too, missing just five games in his career.
There probably isn’t a better safety prospect on the market, and Denver could look to replace Kareem Jackson with a splash free agent signing.
His market value is projected around $15 million per year. Would Denver be willing to pay big-time money to both of their safeties, a position that is not considered to be all that valuable?
Maybe not, but there is no denying Marcus Williams’ talent on the field.
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The Denver Broncos may surprise some people with trades they make in the 2022 offseason. Which players could be on the move if the price is right?
I think it would be a safer bet for Caden Sterns to start 2022 next to Justin Simmons, but the idea of signing Marcus Williams is fun. The signing would yet again give Denver the best safety duo in the NFL and would continue their run as having one of the stronger secondaries in the NFL.