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4 potential free agents for Broncos to splurge on in 2023

By Travis Wakeman

Sep 25, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (24) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) during the third quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (24) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) during the third quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos, Da'Ron Payne
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 31: Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Football Team runs out to the field before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on October 31, 2021, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /

Free agents for Broncos to splurge on: Da’Ron Payne, DL, Washington Commanders

This would definitely be one of those “break the bank” kind of deals as a long-term contract for Da’Ron Payne could bring close to $100 million but he could join up with the likes of D.J. Jones and Dre’Mont Jones (who would need to be resigned as well) to make up an incredibly tough defensive front.

The former first-round pick is coming off a career year in which he had 11.5 sacks and was voted to the Pro Bowl, facts that will only drive his price up further. He has 26 sacks for his career and has missed just one game in his five-year career thus far.

The Commanders are going to want to keep him around but they have even less space available than the Broncos and will have to dump several contracts in order to be able to afford him. That would be the case for the Broncos too, which may make signing a guy like Payne more of a pipe dream than anything else.

He also plays defensive tackle, which is the position D.J. Jones is at so if the Broncos stick with a 3-4 alignment, they are fine with Jones unless they could use either him or Payne at the defensive end spot.

Payne would be a major upgrade over Jones in terms of a pass-rushing defensive lineman, however.

Payne will be one of the crown jewels of this year’s free agency class.

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