3 free agents Broncos could bring in to help topple Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Da'Ron Payne, Defensive Lineman, Washington Commanders

Da'Ron Payne is another player who will come at a big cost, but this is the kind of player a defense looking to shut down Mahomes needs.

A first-round pick in 2018, Payne will be one of the top names in this entire free-agent class. The Commanders will likely do everything they can to keep him around. If he is looking for a new team, the Broncos should be in talks with him.

Payne is freakishly strong but has incredible athleticism to go with that. He landed on NFL radars as a product out of Alabama in college due to his ability as a run stuffer, but he has shown he can get after the quarterback as well.

Payne is coming off an 11.5-sack season that landed him in the Pro Bowl. If a team is looking for the type of players that can give Mahomes some issues, Payne would be a great place to start.

Repairing the offensive line will be a major focus of the Broncos this offseason and rightfully so. But for a team looking to get past the extremely high hurdle that now sits in front of Arrowhead Stadium, the Broncos also need to find a way to make their defensive line one that can throw the game of Mahomes off.

Then, and perhaps only then, will they have a chance to compete with the defending champions again.