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Denver Broncos should stay away from these three free agents

By Lou Scataglia

Cornerback Kyle Fuller #23 of the Denver Broncos defends on the field during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Empower Field at Mile High on November 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Cornerback Kyle Fuller #23 of the Denver Broncos defends on the field during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Empower Field at Mile High on November 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 29: Dont’a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots celebrates after Elandon Roberts #52 scored a touchdown during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Most people talk about free agents they want their team to sign, but what about free agents the Denver Broncos need to stay away from?

There are still plenty of very talented free agents available to sign.  The Denver Broncos may add someone else, or they may not.

I am all for them adding someone else in the secondary, adding another tight end, or adding a linebacker.  I think the roster overall is very strong, but a couple of small holes remain.  With that said, while I do think there are quality free agents left on the market that can fill needs for the Broncos, there are some who the team needs to stay away from under all circumstances.

There could be a multitude of reasons why teams are uninterested in potential free agents.  I think a lot of us get attached to the names and put their on-field performance secondary to that.  While someone like Stephon Gilmore might be a great fit in Denver, he’s played in just 19 games the prior two seasons because of injury.

Which free agents that are still available to sign should the Denver Broncos stay away from?

Denver Broncos free agents to stay away from

1. Dont’a Hightower, LB

Dont’a Hightower has been a very good player for a long time.  The New England Patriot is a free agent and at one point was a top-shelf linebacker.

However, this past year was not kind to Hightower.  He took the 2020 year off due to the pandemic and returned this year to the starting lineup.

He started 15 games for the Patriots, and PFF wasn’t impressed.  He graded out at 53.7, significantly down from his 2019 score, which was 69.4.  Hightower just turned 32, and could theoretically fill a need for the Denver Broncos, who plan on giving Baron Browning a shot coming off the edge.

So, Denver has an opening next to Josey Jewell, unless Jonas Griffith wants to take a leap forward.

I think the smart move here is to bring back Alexander Johnson, but I’m not sure how likely that is.  Even though Hightower is a popular name, the Broncos should stay away from his services to fill the need at ILB.

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