Denver Broncos All-Time free agency offensive team
With the free-agent signing period in the NFL just around the corner, it's a great time to look back across the history of free agency with the Denver Broncos.
Like all teams, the Broncos have spent some money on some duds, but they have also made some great moves that have helped the team win huge games and some Super Bowls. Since the current form of free agency started ahead of the 1993 season, the quickest way to turn a franchise around is through free agency.
Going back to 1993, I am going to look at the best free-agent signing the team has had at every offensive position. This will not include undrafted free agents or players obtained in any other way, such as a trade.
Are you already starting to think of some of the guys who should be on this list? Read ahead to see if you are correct.
Note: There will be an all-time defensive free agency team to follow.
Broncos' all-time free agency offensive line
The Broncos have brought in some incredibly poor offensive lineman through free agency, particularly in recent years with the likes of Menelik Watson, Donald Stephenson and Ja'Wuan James.
Looking across the team's history, the tackle position has been especially rough in free agency, but the Broncos did hit on some guards.
Guard- Mark Schlereth, 1995: The Broncos signed Mark Schlereth ahead of the 1995 season after he spent six years with Washington after being selected in the 10th round of the 1989 draft. After establishing himself as one of the "hogs", he came to Denver and became part of one of the league's best rushing offenses year in and year out, helping the team win back-to-back Super Bowls.
Affectionately known as "Stink", Schlereth is still well known in the area as he works in radio for 104.3 The Fan and can be heard daily on the station.
Guard- Louis Vasquez, 2013: The Broncos were looking to fortify the offensive line ahead of the 2013 season and they turned to a division rival, the Chargers, to fix that.
Louis Vasquez was a solid signing for the team that season and ended up being selected to the Pro Bowl. He played three seasons for the Broncos before being released prior to the 2016 season.
Center- Casey Weigmann, 2008: Like tackle, it's tough to find a great free-agent signing at center for the team but part of that is due to the fact that the Broncos haven't had to look for one too often. Tom Nalen was a staple for the team for 15 seasons and Matt Paradis put in some good years as well.
Casey Wiegmann was signed ahead of the 2008 season after playing with the Kansas City Chiefs for seven years. He started in all 32 games for the Broncos in 2008 and 2009 before going back to Kansas City in 2010.
Tackle- Tony Jones, 1997: Tony Jones was a starting tackle for the Broncos in their first two Super Bowl seasons after spending eight years with the Cleveland Browns and one with the Baltimore Ravens.
He played four seasons with the Broncos and made the Pro Bowl in 1998.
Tackle- Harry Swayne, 1997: Signed along with Jones prior to the 1997 season, Harry Swayne spent 15 years in the league after being a seventh-round pick in 1987. Like Jones, he helped the Broncos to two Super Bowl wins.