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7 players that could follow Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos

By Sayre Bedinger

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 18: Wide receiver Brandin Cooks #10 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after scoring on a 45 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the secodn quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 18: Wide receiver Brandin Cooks #10 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after scoring on a 45 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the secodn quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 05: Shy Tuttle #99 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after sacking Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter in the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 05, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

5. Shy Tuttle, DL, New Orleans Saints (2023 free agent)

The Denver Broncos might have to get themselves some help on the defensive line in 2023 free agency yet again with question marks right now over the status of Dre’Mont Jones.

The Broncos drafted Dre’Mont Jones out of Ohio State in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he’s very clearly blossomed into the best player of that once-vaunted class. Jones will undoubtedly cost the Broncos a lot to retain, whether on a long-term deal or on the franchise tag.

Depending on whether he’s classified as a defensive end or defensive tackle, it’s going to run the Broncos roughly $18.7-20 million to keep Jones in the fold if they have to franchise tag him. Now, the team is cash rich with the new ownership group, but the entire franchise tag figure would count against your salary cap. That figure really puts you between a rock and a hard place.

Will the Broncos simply let Jones walk in free agency? It’s hard to believe they would, but it’s not impossible.

If that does end up happening, the team is going to have to be active in finding help along the defensive line and Shy Tuttle of the Saints could be a target.

The 2023 free agent had a pair of sacks this past season, three QB hits, 49 total tackles, and five batted passes. The numbers don’t leap off the page, but Tuttle is a dependable player up front who gets his hands into throwing lanes consistently.

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