The Denver Broncos do have some obvious positions that they need to improve on for the 2024 NFL Season, and I don't see Sean Payton wanting to waste much time. Let's put together a way too early free agency haul for the team. Sure, the Broncos aren't projected to have a ton of cap space in 2024, but that hasn't stopped teams.
And with the way the Broncos have played as of late, I'm not so sure this team will need to rebuild, as some began to suggest after a 1-5 start. Sure, they'll have to get better in certain positions, but if the team keeps this trend up and can manage seven or eight wins, I think only a few tweaks would be needed.
With that said, I don't think Denver is going to be first in line to sign the biggest-name free agents in 2024; they simply won't have as many financial resources as other teams, but they can make some solid, tier-two and three additions that can certainly provide a boost when necessary. The team also has their own first-round pick in 2024, and could definitely trade a player or two to gain more capital.
Let's put together a modest, way too early free agency haul for the Denver Broncos.
Way too early 2024 free agency haul for the Denver Broncos
1. Carl Lawson, DE
Carl Lawson has fallen out of the regular rotation with the New York Jets and could have been a very logical trade deadline target for some teams. He originally signed with the team a few years ago on a three-year, $45 million deal, which isn't too expensive. Plus, given the lack of snaps he's played this year, Lawson likely won't be someone who'll cost a ton.
Well, Lawson has proven to be a very good pass rusher from the DL, and that is exactly what Denver needs. Zach Allen and DJ Jones are fine, but the team simply needs more juice along the DL, and that's where Lawson comes into play.
In 33 total games during the 2020 and 2022 seasons, Lawson had 12.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 56 QB hits. He's a productive player who just so happened to fall down the depth chart a bit in NY, and I think bringing him to Denver in 2024 on a two-year deal makes sense to me. He won't be expensive.
2. Sean Bunting, CB
I think the Denver Broncos should re-sign Fabian Moreau if he continues to play adequate football in place of Damarri Mathis, who got relegated to the bench a couple of weeks ago. I also think Denver should not only buy low on a CB in free agency but should look to the 2024 NFL Draft as well. Someone who I think could fit this would be Sean Bunting, who signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans last year.
He's a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and doesn't exactly light up the stat sheet, but he's as solid as they come and I think could be a very nice CB2 alongside Patrick Surtain II. According to PFF, Bunting's 71.1 grade is the 27th best among 116 qualified CBs. I could see a scenario where he wants to cash in, but I also don't think the Broncos should be afraid to pay up a bit for a talented player.
Getting better and younger in the secondary is a must for the Broncos in 2024.
3. CJ Gardner-Johnson, S (or Ceedy Duce)
OK, so CJ Gardner-Johnson, who is apparently legally changing his name to Ceedy Duce, is currently on the Detroit Lions and was a Sean Payton draft pick back in 2019. He's someone who can play all over the secondary and could be another very good fit for the Broncos' defense. He was tied for the league lead in interceptions in 2022 with six and is someone who can be deployed as a CB or S.
His one-year deal with the Detroit Lions is worth just $6.5 million. Gardner-Johnson is also currently on IR with a torn pectoral, so he may have to rebuild his value a bit. Well, what better place to do that than with the coach who drafted him in the first place?
4. Mike Gesicki, TE
Someone I thought the Broncos should have targeted at the trade deadline is also going to be a free agent in 2024. Mike Gesicki signed a cheap, one-year deal with the New England Patriots after spending the first bit of his career with the Miami Dolphins. Gesicki is as athletic as they come for tight ends, but he's not much of a blocker.
However, the Denver Broncos have Chris Manhertz for that. Other than Manhertz, the team traded for Adam Trautman before the season, whom Sean Payton drafted. Greg Dulcich is on IR with a hamstring injury that he can't seem to get over. The Broncos do have a need for a reliable tight end who can catch passes.
From 2019-2021 with the Miami Dolphins, Gesicki caught 177 passes for 2,053 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Broncos need production from the TE spot, and Gesicki can bring it.
5. KJ Osborn, WR
The Denver Broncos should invest in a free agent wide receiver this coming offseason. The unit simply has not been that consistent, and I do still think trading Jerry Jeudy is on the table. Also, what is the team going to get from Tim Patrick, who is currently rehabbing a torn Achilles?
I don't think it's outrageous to think that both Jeudy and Patrick are not on the team in 2024. That would leave Marvin Mims Jr, Courtland Sutton, and Brandon Johnson as the top targets. Yeah, that could be a problem. Someone who I like is KJ Osborn, who isn't a 1,000-yard receiver but is pretty solid.
He caught 50 passes for 655 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021, 60 passes for 650 yards and five touchdowns in 2022, and is currently on pace to catch 65 passes for 765 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He's someone who has gradually improved his production in the NFL and could profile as a WR3 in the Broncos' offense.
I don't think he'd cost a ton and he's caught 63.9% of his targets over his career. The Broncos need a reliable, veteran targe for this room, and he played in every game in 2021 and 2022, and has played in every game in 2023.
What do you think about this potential FA haul for the Broncos in 2024?
Carl Lawson, DE
Sean Bunting, CB
CJ Gardner-Johnson, DB
Mike Gesicki, TE
KJ Osborn, WR