The Denver Broncos have a ton of financial flexibility this offseason in being able to create cap space, so if they want to spend in free agency, they certainly can. General Manager George Paton spoke to the media this Tuesday and said that the team was not going to be in the first wave of free agency this year, and that would make sense.
The Broncos made three splash signings when free agency opened last year, and are currently over the salary cap number for 2024. Denver can easily create cap space, even pushing $30-$40 million in space, so they can give themselves money to spend. And I think much of what the Broncos will do in free agency would depend on how Sean Payton feels about this roster.
The Broncos definitely showed a lot of promise in 2023, and I think their biggest issue is just an overall lack of talent. And with Payton being 60 years old, I don't think he wants to be in the business of rebuilding the team. It truly would not shock me to see the Denver Broncos be aggressive in free agency again, but not necessarily aggressive in terms of spending a ton of money.
Let's put together a way too early dream free agency haul in 2024.
Way too early dream free agency haul for the Broncos in 2024
1. Danielle Hunter, EDGE
Danielle Hunter is my favorite free agent and I think he makes a ton of sense on the Denver Broncos. George Paton was in the Minnesota Vikings front office when Hunter was drafted by the team in 2015, so there is a connection there. Hunter is also enjoying one of the best seasons in the NFL this year by any pass rusher.
He's racked up 16.5 sacks, 83 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 22 QB hits. He was on fire this year, and has played in all 34 games across the last two seasons. Hunter turns 30 in October, so his age might be a bit of a concern, but his pass rush expertise is something the Broncos desperately need.
2. CJ Gardner-Johnson, DB
CJ Gardner-Johnson was a draft pick of Sean Payton's back in 2019 and is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the NFL. He can play all across the secondary and it was a bit baffling why the Broncos did not sign him last offseason. He tied for the league lead in interceptions in 2022 with six and can play cornerback, safety, and even close to the line of scrimmage.
Denver needs to get younger and more explosive in the secondary, as their pass defense was pretty poor last year, and coaches tend to gravitate toward their former players when they switch teams. I don't think Gardner-Johnson is going to be expensive, as he's played in just three games this year, so this could be a very smart, cheap, high-upside signing for Denver.
3. Tyler Boyd, WR
I am a huge fan of Tyler Boyd. He is a free agent at the end of the season and might not be re-signed by the Cincinnati Bengals, with whom he has spent his entire career with. Boyd had two 1,000 yard seasons in 2018 and 2019, and has in recent seasons settled into a WR2-3 type of role. He has had 841, 828, 762, and 667 receiving yard seasons over the last four years.
He's a quality pass-catcher and has a career catch percentage of 68.1%, so when the ball comes his way, he catches it. Boyd is not someone who is going to take the top off the defense or eat up yardage; he's a quality, veteran wide receiver that has played in 120 games and is just a darn good football player
4. Kirk Cousins, QB
I said this was a dream free agency haul, right? Kirk Cousins is a free agent this offseason and is a perfect passer for Sean Payton's offense. Cousins was on pace to have the most productive year of his career before a torn Achilles ended it. He is entering his age-36 season in 2024, and Payton has worked with an older QB before. (see: Drew Brees)
Kirk Cousins gets the ball out quickly and his a rhythm passer. He is perfect for this offense, and just because I would advocate for Kirk Cousins, does not mean Denver should not take a QB in the 2024 NFL Draft. A potential signing of Kirk Cousins does not take the Broncos out of taking a first-round QB.
I don't know why people think that. Cousins would be a fine solution for a year or two and would not only help the Broncos be competitive again, but also would be able to run the offense the way it should be ran.
5. Dalton Schultz, TE
For this free agency haul, I was trying to spread out the positions a bit, and Dalton Schultz is going to be the best tight end free agent this year, unless he were to re-sign with the Houston Texans before free agency begins. Schultz would stabilize the TE spot for the Broncos. Greg Dulcich was nowhere to be found this year, and Adam Trautman is clearly not TE1 in the NFL.
Schultz had 635 yards and five touchdowns this year. Over the last four years between the Dallas Cowboys and Texans, Schultz has caught 257 passes for 2,635 yards and 22 touchdowns. He's one of the seven best tight ends in the NFL and would be a welcome addition to the Denver Broncos in 2024.