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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
Jan 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) against the New York Giants during an NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

6. CJ Gardner-Johnson, DB, Philadelphia Eagles (2023 free agent)

The Denver Broncos have one of the best secondaries in the game today, but they could get even better in the 2023 offseason. Kareem Jackson is slated for free agency. Young safety Caden Sterns is coming back from injury.

Could the Denver Broncos look to make a big splash and get another playmaker to go alongside Justin Simmons in the secondary? It just so happens that former Saints defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson is a free agent after the Eagles play in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.

First and foremost, let us all marvel at the mastery of Eagles GM Howie Roseman. Roseman and his pro scouting department do as good of a job as any in the entire NFL at evaluating talent and finding players for bargain prices. They gave up nothing of real consequence to the Saints to acquire Gardner-Johnson last year, and he ended up picking off six passes for the Eagles as they won the NFC.

Gardner-Johnson has always been a versatile playmaker, and he would be a welcomed addition to the Broncos’ secondary which already includes Simmons, Pat Surtain II, nickel corner K’Waun Williams, and breakout rookie Damarri Mathis.

The Denver Broncos could get a big-time playmaker on the back end of the defense, something they need alongside Justin Simmons. This would allow the team to continue utilizing Caden Sterns in a versatile role, as we know defenses (regardless of who is calling the shots) spend the majority of their time in nickel and dime as opposed to their base looks.

The more defensive backs, the merrier.

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