The Denver Broncos at some point need to find a way to get past the Kansas City Chiefs. The team could look to acquire these three players in 2024 to make the leap. Seeing the Chiefs make yet another conference championship game should make every single Broncos fan sick to their stomach.
Denver did manage to beat KC this year, but the Chiefs got their act together and are now set to face off against the Baltimore Ravens next weekend, with a trip to Super Bowl 58 on the line. The Chiefs aren't going anywhere, so the Broncos are going to have to figure out a way to make the leap past this team.
Well, starting by improving their roster with these three players would be a great start.
3 players the Broncos can acquire to leap the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024
1. Chris Jones, DT
Chris Jones has carved out an amazing career and is set to be a free agent in 2024. The Chiefs definitely need some help on offense, at tackle, and with their skill players. Frankly, I think Jones is going to price his way off the team. And Jones is at the point of his career where he may prefer to chase the money.
He's won two rings with the team and can't really accomplish any more in the NFL. Trying to make as much money as possible is something that I think many players have in mind, and the Broncos could certainly use the help up front. Yes, Denver doesn't have a lot of cap space, but they have avenues to create a good bit.
I also do not envision Sean Payton not fielding a competitive team in 2024. The Broncos finished the season 7-4 after starting 1-5, so Payton surely has to see the potential with this team, especially if they add more talent to the roster.
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2. Dalton Schultz, TE
Something that the Denver Broncos need is consistency at tight end. They have not had a legitimate receiving threat at the position for years, it feels like. Well, current Houston Texans TE Dalton Schultz is set to be a free agent in 2024, and he'd be perfect for the Denver Broncos. Denver should approach anything they get from Greg Dulcich as a bonus.
Adding Schultz to the room would do wonders for the passing game. Over the last four seasons between the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, Schultz has caught 257 passes for 2,635 yards and 22 touchdowns. His 17-game averages over that span come out to be 69 receptions for 711 yards and six touchdowns.
That type of production from the tight end spot is something that the Denver Broncos desperately need. Potentially signing Schultz to pair with Courtland Sutton and second-year Marvin Mims Jr would be a very good trio for whoever is under center. According to spotrac.com, Schultz' market value in 2024 is $11.3 million per season.
They value a FA contract for Schultz at three-years, $34 million. If Schultz isn't retained by the Houston Texans, the Denver Broncos should make a very strong offer for his services. Denver's offense was pretty one-dimensional in 2023, but adding a legitimate, top-seven tight end would open up a ton in the passing game.
3. A first-round QB in the 2024 NFL Draft
It is no coincidence that the very best quarterbacks in the NFL today are first-rounders. Yes, teams can find a franchise QB not in the first round, but it is not likely. Guys like Derek Carr, Dak Prescott, and Brock Purdy were not first-round picks. All three passers are talented in their own right, but none of them are likely winning you a Super Bowl.
The Broncos need to take a swing on a QB this offseason. The projected QB class seems to be rather deep, and one of the biggest advantages in all of sports is having a franchise QB on a rookie deal. So many teams in recent years have taken advantage of making Super Bowl runs without yet having to pay for their QB.
The Broncos need to take a swing on someone that fits Sean Payton's offense. Sure, Denver probably isn't going to find the next Patrick Mahomes, but they can surely hit on a franchise passer. Someone like Bo Nix from Oregon or JJ McCarthy from Michigan are two players that I have seen people within Broncos Country talking about as potential fits for the team.
I am not here to argue about which QB is the bit; I am merely saying that the team needs to draft one. I trust Payton and the other front office members to get the right QB in the building in 2024, and we've seen rookie QBs have immediate success and lead their teams into the playoffs. (see CJ Stroud)
The Broncos need to get younger at QB and need to hit on a franchise passer, or else they are going to be stuck looking up at Mahomes and the Chiefs for years to come.