3 free agents Broncos could bring in to help topple Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
The Denver Broncos have missed the playoffs seven years in a row while watching their bitter rival, the Kansas City Chiefs reach three Super Bowls in the last four seasons, winning two of them.
Patrick Mahomes has become the best player in the NFL and after winning league MVP and Super Bowl MVP all within the last week, there is no sign of him or his team slowing down any time soon. In fact, these Chiefs and Mahomes are already being called the new New England Patriots and Tom Brady.
That is not a fun thought.
The Broncos are going to have to work diligently to try and put a crack in this attempt at a new dynasty. As long as the Chiefs have Mahomes and Andy Reid, they are going to be the team to beat. And for the Broncos, that has been unheard of since the 2015 season as the Chiefs have beaten them 15 times in a row.
The Broncos will need to target free agency with the thought of not only improving the overall roster but also identifying players that are going to help them get by the Chiefs.
So far, the only path that has proven to give Mahomes any kind of an issue on the defensive side of the ball starts a physical front that puts pressure on him, beats him up a little bit, and forces him to throw the ball to his checkdown and dump-off options.
These three players could help the Broncos contend with the Chiefs going forward.
Free agents Broncos could bring in to help get past Chiefs
Samson Ebukam, Outside Linebacker, San Francisco 49ers
Samson Ebukam is a guy who continues to move up my personal board as a potential free-agent fit. A fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, Ebukam has spent the last two seasons as part of a stingy San Francisco 49ers defense.
He is the kind of player who could benefit from being a "clean up" kind of guy behind a strong front three or four. He is not going to be a piece that a defense should use as one of its focal points but one, who paired with the right personnel, can really be a problem for an opposing offense.
In his career, Ebukam has 23.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and one interception. He is also a good tackler and a guy who can make a timely play when one is needed.
The Broncos won't get past Mahomes and his offense with one guy. Reid can negate a great pass-rusher or a top-tier cornerback. It will have to be a group effort all the way across and Ebukam is the perfect kind of piece to have in the game at a crucial juncture to be the benefactor of a great group effort.