We are down to the final game of the 2022 NFL season, Super Bowl LVII. After that, the offseason officially begins for all 32 teams.
The free-agent market will open in about one month, giving teams time to prepare their strategy to get the right players in at the right price. So far, I have talked about free agents that the Broncos should consider but would have to pay handsomely for as well as free agents that would come at an appropriate cost.
But this one will be for the frugal spenders.
Every now and again, you will hear a story about a lucky person who went to a garage sale and spent a small amount of money on what ended up being a treasure. That is what general manager George Paton would be looking to do with the players listed here.
In other words, the exact opposite of what he got when he signed Randy Gregory last offseason.
Bargain bin free agents for Broncos to consider signing
Mack Hollins, Wide Receiver, Las Vegas Raiders
Many of these cheaper free agents are going to be at positions where teams around the league feel that players are a dime a dozen. In other words, it will be tough to get an effective offensive tackle, edge rusher or shutdown cornerback out of the bargain bin.
The Broncos could be looking for depth at the wide receiver position, however, and Mack Hollins of the Raiders is a guy who I like.
A fourth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, Hollins had never been much of an asset to an offense until the 2022 season with the Raiders, his third NFL team. Coming into the year, Hollins had a total of 66 receptions and four touchdowns in his entire career.
This year, he had 57 catches for 690 yards and four touchdowns. He could be a great No. 3 or No. 4 option for Russell Wilson in Denver’s offense. He is a tough, gritty receiver and his potential ceiling would be worth the money spent.
Spotrac shows Hollins getting a contract this offseason in the neighborhood of $2.4 million annually, which would be considerably cheaper than guys like Jakobi Meyers and D.J. Chark will fetch.