Broncos 7 replacements in free agency if Dre'Mont Jones leaves

4. Sheldon Rankins (free agent, Jets)

Have we mentioned any players with coaching connections yet? It just so happens that Sheldon Rankins was once a first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints. Rankins has played the last couple of years as a member of the New York Jets, where he racked up 6.0 sacks, 14 QB hits, and 22 QB pressures in two seasons.

Those numbers aren't earth-shattering, by any means, but Rankins is 28 going on 29 and has still been productive playing between 50-55 percent of his team's snaps dating back to his final two years in New Orleans. The rumor out there right now is that Rankins is looking for a deal worth $8-10 million per season which is certainly something the Broncos could work with on a 2-3 year deal.

Getting one of Sean Payton's former first-round picks into the fold seems like a solid option if Dre'Mont Jones walks in free agency.

5. Zach Allen (free agent, Cardinals)

Speaking of coaching connections, how about Vance Joseph bringing one of his pals over from the Arizona Cardinals? No, not the retired JJ Watt, but free agent defensive lineman Zach Allen.

No other free agent defensive lineman at this point in time had more QB hits than Allen did last season (19). He had 5.5 sacks and 25 QB pressures to go along with that. Let's say the Broncos feel pretty confident they could get Zach Allen if they let Dre'Mont Jones walk. Fair trade?

Obviously it's not an actual trade but a trade-off of players. Zach Allen has been working in Joseph's defense since he was drafted into the NFL back in 2019 out of Boston College. He's only 25 years old and clearly can line up all over the formation to cause problems.

Getting Allen into the mix along with DJ Jones and the rest of the cast the Broncos have on the defensive line? That might not be the worst thing that could happen.