The 2022 NFL Free Agency period is going to be an absolute blast for the Denver Broncos now that Russell Wilson has been acquired.
After it was announced that Aaron Rodgers would be returning to the Green Bay Packers and reportedly on a renewed contract, I was like many of the rest of you — wondering what in the world the Denver Broncos were going to do next at the QB position.
The thought of trading for Russell Wilson felt like even more of a pipe dream than Rodgers just because it was already reported that the Seahawks had declined a trade offer for Wilson from the Washington Commanders.
Now we know why, depending on how long this has been in the works.
Denver Broncos make historic trade to acquire Russell Wilson
The Broncos traded eight assets to the Seattle Seahawks to land Wilson in a trade.
Among those eight assets were three players: Quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, and defensive lineman Shelby Harris.
While it’s always tough to see any player go whether they are traded or released, the Denver Broncos and general manager George Paton had to give something up to get an elite NFL quarterback, and they did exactly that.
In addition to those players, the Broncos gave up two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a fifth-round pick.
Depending on whether those second-round picks are spread from 2022 to 2023 (that detail hasn’t been reported yet), the Broncos might still have three top-100 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft to use after this trade.
First things first, though — 2022 NFL Free Agency.
The Denver Broncos are not done upgrading the roster and even with Russell Wilson counting $24 million against the salary cap in 2022, the Broncos will be able to make plenty of moves to surround him with talent.
Here are three free agents that should undoubtedly be on the radar now that Wilson is in the fold…
Denver Broncos FA target no. 1: Rob Gronkowski, TE
The Denver Broncos no longer have Noah Fant in the fold at the tight end position.
While it’s tough to see Fant go as you would love to see what he could do with a star QB throwing him the ball, it also opens up the Denver Broncos to an incredible free agent class of tight ends.
That class has slimmed down a little bit with some expected franchise tags being handed out, but there are plenty of stars left for the Broncos and other teams to sign.
For my money, the best free agent tight end available is Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has consistently been maybe the best tight end in the game when he’s healthy.
Prior to the acquisition of Russell Wilson, signing Rob Gronkowski would have made very little sense. Now that Wilson is in the fold (and the jersey no. 87 is available), it makes plenty of sense.
Gronkowski is still obviously an elite receiver at the tight end position, but he’s also one of the best blocking tight ends in the game.
Adding a playmaker like Gronk in the passing game would be big enough as-is, but his ability to dominate as a blocker would obviously help the Denver Broncos keep balance offensively.
Gronkowski has only played with Tom Brady in his NFL career, so he would have to obviously learn to love another quarterback if he comes to Denver, but interestingly enough, he’s the only Gronkowski brother to make it to the NFL without a Denver Broncos uniform in his closet.
Rob’s brothers Dan and Chris have each had stints with the Denver Broncos.
Let the recruiting games begin.
Denver Broncos target no. 2: Morgan Moses, OT
I think Morgan Moses would have been a wise pickup for the Denver Broncos regardless of the acquisition of Russell Wilson, as he is arguably the top right tackle in free agency this offseason.
That may not sound super exciting, but the right tackle position is really the one hole on the offensive side of the ball that needs to be addressed immediately.
Moses has been a very durable player throughout his NFL career and he has consistently proven to be more than just durable — he’s consistently above average or better as both a run blocker and pass protector.
He’s played in the type of offense the Broncos are going to run for the majority of his career dating back to his early days in Sean McVay’s offense with Washington, and he’s also got a coaching connection in Denver.
New Broncos tight ends coach Jake Moreland was an assistant offensive line coach with the Jets last year, so he’s obviously very familiar with Moses.
Maybe the Broncos will try and sign a tackle that might be a bigger name than Moses but who would have to transition from the left side to the right side to play in Denver where Garett Bolles is the left tackle.
Regardless, I think you can pencil in offensive tackle as a primary investment area for the Broncos in free agency now that Russell Wilson is on the team.
Denver Broncos target no. 3: Von Miller, EDGE
There will be younger EDGE players available in free agency but we’re talking about Super Bowl again in Denver, not just making a free agent investment and building your roster around only young guys.
Von Miller publicly campaigned for his return to Denver just 24 hours before the trade for Russell Wilson was reported, so obviously Wilson or somebody else told Von something.
Did a return for Von Miller make sense yesterday? Yes.
Does it make even more sense now that Russell Wilson is QB1 in the Mile High City?
Yes.
The Broncos’ top need defensively is off the edge and Von Miller is still playing at an elite level as we all saw when he was with the Rams in the playoffs.
Miller has consistently talked about wanting to be part of the solution in Denver, and he never requested a trade or put up a fuss during those dreadful years of Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Drew Lock, and Teddy Bridgewater (among others).
Von got to go win a ring with the Rams, and now he has a chance to go and win one with all of the players he invested in while the Broncos were struggling.
Russell Wilson trade: What are the Denver Broncos giving up?
The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks have agreed to an absolutely massive blockbuster trade for Russell Wilson. Who is going to Seattle?
Signing Von Miller is a no-brainer, and getting Miller back in the fray along with Wilson will only make the Broncos even more appealing to prospective free agents.