The Denver Broncos have hardly done much in free agency thus far. With the remaining free agents left on the market, which ones fit the Broncos the best? The Broncos first external free agency signing of the legal tampering period was Brandon Jones, a safety from the Miami Dolphins who started 30/54 games during his four year career with the team.
A bit of an underwhelming signing to say the least. Initially, there were reports that Wil Lutz was headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year deal, but Lutz apparently had a change of heart and will return to the Broncos in a two-year deal. So as of now, the roster is just about exactly the same as it was when the legal tampering period began on Monday.
There are still a ton of free agents left on the open market for the Denver Broncos to target. Which ones would be the best fit for the team?
1. Danielle Hunter, EDGE
As of now, Danielle Hunter has not signed a contract with a new team, and there is no chance he returns to the Minnesota Vikings, as they signed EDGE rusher Jonathan Greenard to a four-year deal. Hunter has played both defensive end and outside linebacker for the Vikings and was drafted by them in 2015.
George Paton, the Broncos General Manager, was in the Vikings front office when that draft pick was made, so the connection here is obvious. The Broncos have a pretty awful defensive front and could use an upgrade of Hunter's caliber. This would be a perfect fit for both sides.
2. CJ Gardner-Johnson, S
Even though the Denver Broncos signed Brandon Jones and re-signed PJ Locke III, I think CJ Gardner-Johnson still has a place in the defense. Gardner-Johnson can play safety, closer to the line of scrimmage in a hybrid linebacker role, and can even line up in the slot. He's truly a do-it-all, versatile player who was drafted by Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints back in 2019.
He was on a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions this past season and is someone who'd immediately help out the Broncos defense.
3. Jeremy Chinn, S, LB, Everything!
Jeremy Chinn has played linebacker and safety during his NFL career and was best when he played close to the line of scrimmage. The nephew of Steve Atwater, it almost makes too much sense for the Denver Broncos to make this signing. Between his first two years in the NFL, Chinn racked up 224 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, and 10 passes defended.
Adding another swiss army knife player into this defense would really make life hard for opposing offenses, and to make matters better, he likely won't be expensive and just turned 26. Someone is going to sign Jeremy Chinn, and someone is going to get a very good football player. The Broncos need to make this move happen.
4. Sheldon Rankins, DT
Another player drafted by Sean Payton, Sheldon Rankins was on the Houston Texans this year and continues to be a rock-solid football player who'd be a welcome addition on defense. For some reason, DJ Jones is still on the roster, and that's truly a shame. Rankins would likely be a hair cheaper and is a better football player.
In 2023 with the Texans, he racked up six sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 10 QB hits in 15 games. DJ Jones can only dream of that kind of production, and Jones just isn't someone who provides much of a pass-rush threat from the interior. Sheldon Rankins has experience with Sean Payton and would be a nice addition for the Denver Broncos.
5. DJ Reader, DT
The Denver Broncos apparently had interest in DJ Reader before be signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on a four-year deal back in 2020. Well, now that Reader is a free agent, the Broncos should not hesitate to bring him in.
Honestly, Reader is a bigger and better version of DJ Jones, who the Broncos currently have not cut for some reason. He's not much of a pass-rush threat, but his 6'3", 330-pound frame eats space along the defensive interior, and the Broncos run game was putrid last year, so Reader would likely be a huge upgrade over DJ Jones.
The Broncos have missed out on DL talent like Javon Kinlaw, Bryce Huff, and Jonathan Grennard, so they need to act quickly to shore up this unit for 2024 and beyond.