The Denver Broncos, ideally, should be in a position to again be aggressive in free agency if they want to. Let's put together an ideal haul for them in 2024. Right now, the 2024 free agency class is projected to have a ton of talent. With that being said, there are surely going to be some extensions for players who are set to hit the market in 2024.
Right now though, we can still have some fun with the projected free agency class in 2024. We also should know who the Broncos' own free agents will be, and I think it's clear which players could be cut from the team between now and next year. Super Bowl teams aren't built in free agency, but FA is a great time to fill the remaining holes on a given roster.
I think the ideal scenario here is that Denver is good enough in 2023 to warrant again being aggressive in free agency to perhaps put the finishing touches on a true contending roster. Let's be optimistic here and put together an ideal free agency haul for the Denver Broncos in 2024.
Way too early 2024 free agency haul for the Denver Broncos
1. Tyler Boyd, WR
I do think there is a strong possibility that both Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton are not on the Denver Broncos for the 2024 NFL season. I think this is especially true for Patrick, who is again set to miss an entire season. An Achilles injury is going to end his 2023 before it even began, and he was just getting back from a 2022 torn ACL.
The Broncos can save nearly $10 million from moving on from Patrick in 2024, and similar savings can be had by moving on from Courtland Sutton if they choose to do so. With Jerry Jeudy and Marvin Mims Jr. likely being the core of this room for the long term, someone who I think could end up being an excellent fit is Tyler Boyd, who has spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals and is set to hit the open market in 2024.
With the Bengals needing to extend both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and with Boyd approaching 30 in 2024, I don't see any way that he's back unless he wants to take a huge discount. Boyd would be the perfect WR3 for the Denver Broncos. He's held that role for the past couple of seasons in Cincy and has caught 125 passes for nearly 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Tyler Boyd might be exactly what the Broncos' WR room needs in 2024.
2. Isaiah Wynn, OL
Isaiah Wynn has played all over the offensive line during his NFL career and was a former first-round pick who has also struggled a bit with injuries. My thinking here is that Wynn could probably be had for cheap next year even though he has a ton of positional versatility. Wynn has shown competency at both tackle and guard, and I think the OL for Denver could continue to undergo some transition next year.
I think the team has already moved on from Garett Bolles in their heads and is preparing for life without the long-time Bronco LT. Cam Fleming is also a free agent in 2024 and there is really no guarantee he'll be back. Being that Wynn can play both tackle spots and on the interior, he might be a perfect high-ceiling type player to fall back on if the Broncos are planning to have some transition along the OL.
With Bolles and maybe even Fleming out of the picture in 2024, Isaiah Wynn could find a new home in Denver.
3. Za'Darius Smith, EDGE
Frank Clark is a free agent at the end of the season, and the Denver Broncos can also save $14 million by moving on from Randy Gregory next year. With that being said, both Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto have had stellar camps thus far and could be the team's starting EDGE rushers as soon as this year depending on what happens.
However, I'm not sure anyone really knows what will end up happening with Baron Browning, who should return early in the 2023 NFL season. The depth of this unit could take a hit if Clark and Gregory are out of the picture next year. For that reason, I think Za'Darius Smith could make some sense for the Denver Broncos as a quality veteran piece.
He's had double-digit sacks and at least 23 QB hits in the last three healthy seasons he's played in. Smith might want to ring chase at this point next year, as he'll be into his 30s, and if the Broncos are good enough in 2023, they could be an attractive spot for some veteran free agents.
4. Sean Bunting, CB
After four solid years as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Sean Bunting signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans for the 2023 NFL season. He's a decent CB2 and I think could fit in nicely with the Denver Broncos in 2024 and perhaps beyond. With Patrick Surtain II and Damarri Mathis likely entrenched as CB1 and CB2, Denver should be in good hands there.
However, all of Fabian Moreau, K'Waun Williams, and Essang Bassey are free agents at the end of the 2023 season. The Broncos are also likely set to pay Surtain about $452 million per year next year, so the team might want to find a solid third option at CB for cheap.
Perhaps that player is rookie Riley Moss, but even if Moss is that guy for Denver in 2023, they might want to add to this unit in 2024, and I think Sean Bunting makes a lot of sense. Somehow, he was only able to get a $3.5 million contract from the Titans this year. If nothing changes and Bunting is still the same player, Denver might be able to get him for less than $5 million per year in 2024.
I just think that Denver needs to keep ensuring their secondary is among the tops in the NFL. They've had a very good secondary for years and I don't see why George Paton and Sean Payton wouldn't continue that. This is especially true when you look at Paton's brief history as the Broncos' GM. He's brought in all of Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller, and Patrick Surtain II onto the Broncos, which is a huge investment in the position.
There is no reason to believe that won't continue, and Denver will be bargain shopping in FA next year like most other teams. Sean Bunting could be one of those bargain gets.