The Denver Broncos still have some roster needs leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft. What free agents should they add to best take advantage of their picks?
How can the Denver Broncos do better than hitting a home run in the 2022 offseason? Even though adding Russell Wilson has made this team a contender, there’s still plenty for general manager George Paton to do before the 2022 NFL Draft to upgrade his roster.
Specifically, this year’s free agent class was loaded enough that right now, there may be a number of bargains available for the Denver Broncos to sign to add outstanding depth to the roster overall.
Although the Broncos are working with just under $15 million in cap space at this point, there are always ways to finesse the cap and make improvements to your team if you’re motivated to do so.
Denver Broncos FAs to sign before 2022 NFL Draft: Bryce Callahan, CB
One of the free agents the Denver Broncos should bring back before the 2022 NFL Draft is cornerback Bryce Callahan.
Callahan has been oft-injured but he’s also been very good when healthy the last two seasons for the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have a top four at the cornerback position right now of Pat Surtain II, Ronald Darby, K’Waun Williams, and Michael Ojemudia.
How confident is the team in Ojemudia if an injury happens to Surtain or Darby? Who would slide into the slot if K’Waun Williams is injured?
The NFL Draft obviously plays a role and the Broncos could fortify their depth using draft capital at the cornerback position, but a player like Callahan would just solidify the depth in that room looking ahead to next season.
He could legitimately start at any of the cornerback positions whether you’re asking him to play inside or outside.
After the team re-signed Kareem Jackson to a one-year deal, they should absolutely be willing to do the same for Callahan to fortify the secondary even further.
Denver Broncos FA option no. 2: Anthony Barr, LB
With the news that the Denver Broncos would be transitioning Baron Browning to the EDGE position, what’s the team’s current situation at off-ball linebacker?
The Broncos made a move earlier in the offseason to sign linebacker Alex Singleton. The former Philadelphia Eagles leading tackler was signed to a modest deal worth just over $1.1 million with some incentives, and that contract doesn’t seem to scream “starter” type money.
Josey Jewell, who signed a two-year deal worth $11 million to return to the Denver Broncos coming off of a pectoral injury, was obviously a high priority for the front office and this coaching staff.
Jonas Griffith was also brought back as an exclusive rights free agent and he could factor into the starting conversation with his size and elite athleticism.
Even with the in-house options, it feels like the Broncos will be bringing in more linebacker help, whether that’s through the NFL Draft or free agency.
A player like Anthony Barr could be a lot of fun.
Barr is a big-bodied linebacker with outstanding range and pass rush abilities. He could be the ideal type of guy to have next to Josey Jewell in the starting lineup and he has history with George Paton, who was part of selecting him in the first round out of UCLA (where Paton is an alumni) a handful of years ago.
Paton and Barr also happen to be alumni of the same high school in California.
Denver Broncos FA to consider: Phillip Lindsay, RB
Sometimes it’s best to just leave the past in the past. Other times, reunions just make sense.
The Denver Broncos have, at this point, not brought back Melvin Gordon. Would that be the wisest move leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft?
Maybe. Gordon apparently could have something brewing with the Baltimore Ravens and I just don’t know if the Denver Broncos are going to go into training camp with Javonte Williams, Mike Boone, and a bunch of young players at the position.
Maybe they will.
At this point, the price to bring Phillip Lindsay back into the fold can’t be prohibitive.
Lindsay was once an absolute star in Denver, an undrafted free agent who carried the offense in his first two seasons in the NFL before his play declined in 2020 and he became somewhat of a journeyman in 2021.
Like other players in Denver in recent years, I don’t think Lindsay was properly utilized by Pat Shurmur in his offense and I think it’s reasonable to assume that he would do well in Nathaniel Hackett’s offense, given the fact it was a version of this kind of offense he excelled in as a rookie.
Lindsay could come back to Denver and just do what he does best — utilize his speed to make big plays in the running game.
I would love to see involvement from him as a receiver going forward as well, but that has shockingly not been a big part of his game since his first NFL reception resulted in a long touchdown against…Russell Wilson’s Seattle Seahawks.
Denver Broncos possible signing no. 4: Akiem Hicks, DL
I love the Denver Broncos’ addition of DJ Jones in free agency, and the re-signing of DeShawn Williams to a one-year deal is also a very solid move.
As of right now, I’m not certain the defensive line is solidified and whether or not the Broncos would be able to get an instant contributor at pick 64 or even trading up from there is debatable.
My favorite option to upgrade the defensive line from where it’s currently ask would be to sign someone like Akiem Hicks.
Although adding Hicks may have made more sense when Vic Fangio and his staff were around, the departure of Shelby Harris may keep him among the possibilities anyway.
Adding another veteran defensive lineman to the current group the Broncos have would be a wise move from George Paton and company because of the fact that the team’s depth has been tested significantly up front in recent years.
Where the team is currently at with McTelvin Agim could determine whether they would go down this particular kind of road but Hicks would make plenty of sense.
At 6-foot-4, 335 pounds, he’s a mountain of a man with positional versatility up front. He would be outstanding to have whether he played more of a defensive end role or even further on the interior.
Having Hicks on one side of the line is also going to help draw attention off of your edge rushers and give you the best shot at getting consistent pressure.
Even though he might be the most expensive player on this list, I think this is a move worth considering for the Denver Broncos.
Denver Broncos FA option no. 5: Calais Campbell, DL
Sticking with the defensive line for this last pick, I would love to see the Denver Broncos go after Calais Campbell on a one-year deal to perhaps finish his NFL career in the Mile High City.
Campbell is a Denver native and back in the 2017 offseason, he made the tough decision to join the Jacksonville Jaguars over the Broncos in free agency.
A number of members of that 2017 Jaguars coaching staff are now in Denver, including new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Hackett didn’t work directly with Campbell in Jacksonville, but you can bet their two personalities absolutely gelled.
Campbell being a Denver native helps make this move make even more sense because I think he has really wanted to be a Bronco at some point, he has just had to make business decisions to play elsewhere, which is understandable.
Now, at the age of 35, I think Campbell could still really help this Denver Broncos defense and be an asset not only on the field but in the locker room.
Campbell is a longtime leader and champion of the community, something that is obviously very important to the Denver Broncos.
5 former Denver Broncos who still need a home for the 2022 season
Although some former Denver Broncos players have already signed with other teams, which ones are still looking for new homes in 2022?
You have to have guys like this on your roster and Campbell is someone who deserves a shot at a championship. For him to have a shot like that with the Broncos, plus the team’s need for depth up front, plus the coaching connections — this just makes a ton of sense.