The Denver Broncos are sitting at 2-3 following a crushing overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night and it is starting to feel like the sky is falling in Broncos Country.
Things were not supposed to go this way for this year’s Broncos squad. This was supposed to be a return to prominence with a competent starting quarterback on the roster. But that has not been the case. In fact, it may be worse than ever.
But it is only Week 5 and the team still has 12 more games to play. It has been incredibly ugly but if the team decides to throw in the towel now, things could get much, much worse, especially when you consider that the Seattle Seahawks own the team’s top two draft picks in 2023.
The Broncos will have 11 days between games before facing the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6 in what could be a make-or-break game for this season. With the season-ending injuries suffered by Garett Bolles and Ronald Darby on Thursday night, general manager George Paton should hit the free-agent market to see what he can come up with.
Here are some options.
Broncos should consider Eric Fisher, Tackle
The Broncos finally got Billy Turner back in the lineup but when Garett Bolles went down with a broken leg, the team was left with just Turner, Cam Fleming and Calvin Anderson as its options at tackle.
All three of those guys are likely better as rotational guys rather than every-week starters but the team has no choice but to play them more at this point. It should be Anderson who replaces Bolles at left tackle, but the Broncos should look at a veteran as an insurance policy.
Eric Fisher was once the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. He was still the starting left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs when they faced the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game ahead of Super Bowl LV but he suffered a torn Achilles in that game and had to miss the Super Bowl.
Fisher spent the 2021 season with the Colts but was released in the offseason.
Fisher’s best days are behind him now at 31 years old, but he is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and would bring a veteran presence that could step in if Anderson falters.
Broncos should consider Nate Solder, Tackle
For many of the same reasons the team could consider Fisher, Nate Solder is also an option.
Like Fisher, Solder is a former first-round pick and he won two Super Bowls as a member of the New England Patriots. He is 33 years old now and he may be content with not playing football anymore, but if there is one place that might be able to lure him, it could be Denver.
Solder was born in Denver and went to high school in Buena Vista before becoming one of the best offensive linemen in the nation for the Colorado Buffaloes.
He spent the previous four seasons with the New York Giants and was nowhere near as successful as he was in New England, but that could be due to offensive scheme and coaching more than deteriorating talent.
Solder would be a fine addition on a one-year contract to come in and bolster the offensive line before the season goes completely off the rails.
Broncos should consider Trae Waynes, Cornerback
With Ronald Darby out for the year after tearing his ACL, the Broncos are once again looking at being shallow in the secondary.
Pat Surtain is fantastic and K’Waun Williams has been a solid free-agent find. Rookie Damarri Mathis has also played well. It’s not dire straights yet. But behind those guys, the team has only Darius Phillips and Essang Bassey, though Michael Ojemudia could soon become available.
Adding some veteran cornerback depth would be a good idea.
Trae Waynes was once a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings when Paton was on the staff. He is very familiar with this player and he is sitting on the open market after playing for the Cincinnati Bengals the last two seasons.
Waynes has seven career interceptions and though his career never lived up to being a first-round choice, he could still have plenty to offer at just 30 years old.
There are other cornerbacks for the team to look into as well.
Broncos should consider Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback
Janoris Jenkins is one of the biggest names available on the market as he was once one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He has spent time with four teams, including last year with the Tennessee Titans, and was chosen to the Pro Bowl in 2016.
The downside to Jenkins is that he will turn 34 years old at the end of this month.
But teams kick the tires on players like this every season, much like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did last year with Richard Sherman. Jenkins could be invaluable as a veteran presence to young players like Surtain and Mathis but he could also be useful in certain sub-packages and likely more effective than guys like Bassey and Phillips for that reason alone.
Jenkins has 27 career interceptions and eight of those have been returned for touchdowns. Only seven players in NFL history have more interceptions returned for a score.
‘Jackrabbit’ is also a solid tackler and can be a very physical player. His age would be a concern but he hasn’t been away from the game for long and should still be in playing shape.
Broncos should consider Kevin King, Cornerback
Kevin King spent the past five seasons with the Green Bay Packers after being a second-round pick by the team in 2017. During that time, he came up with seven interceptions and 30 pass deflections.
But he also dealt with several injuries during that time and was not offered a second contract by the Packers, becoming a free agent following the season. He has yet to sign with a new team and that could be because he wants to be 100 percent healthy or he is waiting for the right offer.
The Broncos could likely sign him to a sensible contract and he could come aboard and get ample playing time in certain packages as he is still just 27 years old. Of the cornerbacks listed here, he might make the most sense.
The Broncos still have three-fourths of the season to play and the team will not be able to afford another injury to one of its cornerbacks. It would make sense to bolster the depth chart now.
The team also has Faion Hicks and Ja’Quan McMillian on the practice squad, making them both options as well. But veteran experience is hard to find and that is what makes the players that are listed here good options.