Russell Wilson has been traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for multiple draft picks, Drew Lock, Noah Fant, and Shelby Harris. Who could George Paton target to replace some of the new Seattle Seahawks?
What a time to be alive, Broncos Country!
First off, before I get into talking replacements for Drew Lock, Noah Fant, and Shelby Harris, I would like to say thank you for the time those guys put into this franchise. Some beloved, some the center of controversy for the past few years, nevertheless, they put on a Denver Broncos uniform and should be treated with class.
As the three of Lock, Harris, and Fant look to adjust from the mountains of Denver and the thin air to the potentially downpouring rainfall in Seattle, Russell Wilson will look to launch moon balls over the mountains for this historic franchise.
Shortly after it was announced Aaron Rodgers would be returning to Green Bay, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero announced the blockbuster move that catapulted Denver Broncos fans out of their seats. Personally, I ran outside and started shouting at the top of my lungs until my daughter came outsider and asked me, “daddy, are you done being happy?”
The answer is no, that is definitely a no.
Giving up just their first and second-round picks in the 22′ and 23′ draft class, along with their fifth in this year’s class, the Denver Broncos really did not break themselves by acquiring their very own franchise quarterback in Russell Wilson.
In fact, they may have even fleeced the Seattle Seahawks deepening on who you ask.
Losing Noah Fant and Shelby Harris is brutal, but manageable, and I mean that will all due respect.
Who could George Paton add via free agency to fill the voids that they left behind them?
1. Denver Broncos could sign TE Will Dissly
6-foot-4 265 pound tight end, Will Dissly, was Russell Wilson’s teammate in Seattle from 2018-2021. Dissly has never been an elite weapon as far as his pass-catching abilities, but he could be an in-line tight end for this team, maybe tight end three when it is all said and done.
Known as “Uncle Will” when he played in Seattle, Dissly had accumulated 76 receptions for 900 yards and nine touchdowns. Not mind-boggling stats, but he would fit right in as the third option for the tight end room.
Of course, signing Dissly would not be all the Denver Broncos would need to do at the tight end position, but signing Dissly and selecting a tight end like Trey McBride in the 2022 NFL Draft would create a fantastic room for the tight ends, not only in 2022, but the years to come too.
Dissly brings some familiarity and knowledge of how Wilson likes to play the game. Bringing in a quarterback’s safety blanket is always a good thing. Giving Wilson a body that he is comfortable with and that he already has the rapport with would only benefit this offense’s gelling.
Will Dissly could be what Eric Saubert was for the Denver Broncos in 2021.
Averaging around 20-25 receptions per season, 250 yards, and about three touchdowns, that would be solid production for your third tight end. That production would easily trump what Saubert did for the Denver Broncos this past season.
In his last three seasons with Russ, Dissly has carried at least an 80% catch rate on his targets, which would bring some comfort for Wilson as he transitions into a new offense.
2. Denver Broncos could sign DL B.J. Hill
One player I’ve been incredibly high on since I started watching his play this season is B.J. Hill.
AFC Champion and Super Bowl runner-up, Hill played a major role in the Cincinnati Bengals’ impressive playoff run. Forcing turnovers, filling gaps, and coming up with timely plays is something that I constantly found myself praising Hill for.
Hill does not have the best hands in the league as former Denver Bronco Shelby Harris does, but B.J. Hill still could be an impactful player for this front. Much like the signing of Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton was when he came over to the Denver Broncos via free agency.
Earlier in the offseason, adding Hill seemed like it would be a situation where it was a luxury instead of a necessity, but with Shelby Harris being traded to Seattle, the door is wide open for someone like B.J. Hill to walk through.
Hill is a former third-round pick of the New York Giants but was traded for Billy Price prior to the 2021 NFL Season beginning. He’s just 26 years old, but he is built like a tank standing at 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, Hill could be the solution to the Denver Broncos’ leaky rushing defense.
B.J. Hill also intercepted Patrick Mahomes during the 2021 playoffs which is another sign that he should be a Denver Bronco. As a big man, Hill’s body type is an excuse for why he “popped” when I watched the Cincinnati Bengals this past season, but I think there is more to it.
Hill seems like a guy who took a few years to develop, he also played beside the Denver Broncos starting outside linebacker, Bradley Chubb at NC State University.
Russell Wilson also played for the Wolfpack when he was a collegiate athlete. Maybe Chubb can vouch for Hill, or at least bring the Denver Broncos brass some insight on what B.J. Hill could add to the Denver Broncos front.
As someone who is expected to step up as a leader with Shelby Harris departing, maybe Chubb’s recommendation, if there is one, is enough to entice George Paton to pursue B.J. Hill once free agency begins.
3. Denver Broncos could sign Bobby Wagner
While the Denver Broncos did not trade away an inside linebacker for Russell Wilson, they still have a glaring hole at inside linebacker.
Josey Jewell, Alexander Johnson, and Kenny Young are all set to hit free agency next week. This leaves a void for the Denver Broncos. Bobby Wagner was a part of the 2012 draft class for the Seattle Seahawks that included Russell Wilson, so it only makes sense for him to leave with Russ, right?
It is the end of an era in Seattle, but the two could start a new one in Denver.
Since joining Seattle in 2012, Wagner has been named to the All-Pro team six times, right pro bowls, and constantly found himself voted in the NFL’s top-100 players, getting as high as 13th on 2020.
No doubt adding Wagner would bring an immediate enforcer who brings range and leadership. Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson are fine players, but neither of them compares to what Bobby Wagner has accomplished since he came into the league.
Along with Luke Keuchly, Wagner has been one of the game’s top inside linebackers, if not the best. Wagner also possesses the ability to be a three-down player, staying on the field for at least 93% of the snaps every season post-rookie year where he saw the field for 85% of his snaps.
Denver Broncos 5 tight end options to replace Noah Fant
The Denver Broncos acquired Russell Wilson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, but they had to give up Noah Fant to get it done. Who replaces him?
If George Paton is serious about bolstering the middle of this defense, adding one of the all-decade players from the 2010’s era would be a great start. Wagner will turn 32 before the season officially begins, but signing him to a three-year deal with an out after year two would be a great buy for a team that is in win-now mode.