The Denver Broncos are already in an 0-2 hole to begin the 2023 NFL season. Could these three free agents come in and help save the season before it's too late? If you told me that the Denver Broncos would start 0-2 in 2023, I'd guess that the defense took a step back and the offense didn't get much better.
However, that hasn't been the case. The defense has taken a massive step back and the offense has taken a massive step forward. I guess if nothing else, the Broncos offense actually being legitimate is a nice thing to watch, even if the team is losing games. Denver is scoring nearly 25 points per game through their first two games and lead the league in points per drive.
It's an objective truth that not only Russell Wilson is playing better, but Sean Payton has fixed and will continue to fix the offense. The problem remains with Vance Joseph and the defense, and I would really hate to see a productive offensive year wasted by a bad defense. The Broncos should consider signing these free agents to save their season before it's too late.
3 free agents the Broncos can sign to help save their 2023 season
1. Carlos Dunlap, DE
The Denver Broncos need to do something along their defensive front, in my opinion. The pass rush has been inconsistent and has really hurt them so far. There aren't a lot of great options left on the market, but someone who might be serviceable is Carlos Dunlap, who most recently played with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.
In 2022 with the Chiefs, Dunlap had 4.0 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, and 12 QB hits in 17 games, which included two starts. Honestly, for the 14-year veteran, that's pretty amazing production. Dunlap has been in the NFL since 2010 when he began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Denver needs to add another veteran player to this room. Randy Gregory and Zach Allen have not rushed the QB that well in 2023, and Frank Clark is already hurt.
The defense needs a bit more juice up front.
2. Bryce Callahan, CB
Why is Bryce Callahan not on the Denver Broncos? Better yet, why did the Broncos not bring back Ronald Darby as a veteran failsafe for Damarri Mathis, who might be the worst cornerback in the NFL? It's a mess in the Broncos' secondary. Justin Simmons is hurt, Caden Sterns is out for the season, K'Waun Williams is still set to miss several more weeks, and Damarri Mathis has been just atrocious in 2023.
I'm just confused as to what Denver is doing in the secondary. I get it's early in the season and the bad play of Mathis can change, but adding the injuries to it makes me wonder what more Denver is waiting for. Someone who would make a ton of sense is a former Bronco, Bryce Callahan. Callahan played in 21 total games in Denver in 2020 and 2021 and was most recently with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022, where he played in a career-high 15 games.
He also had a career-high three interceptions in 2022. Callahan is able to play on the outside and in the slot. He's exactly what Denver needs at the moment to bolster the secondary.
3. Landon Collins, S
Adding more reinforcements in the secondary makes sense. Someone who is still on the market is Landon Collins, who has played for the Washington Commanders and New York Giants during his career. He's more of a safety that plays in the box, closer to the line of scrimmage and isn't the best in coverage, but his diverse skillset would make him a welcome addition to the Denver Broncos defense.
Over his eight-year career, Landon Collins has 12 interceptions, 41 passes defended, 11 sacks, 691 total tackles, 42 tackles for loss and 17 QB hits. He can certainly fill up a stat sheet, and I think he'd help the Broncos' defense a ton.