The Denver Broncos have been one of the busier teams in the NFL this Free Agency period, and they have done a great job filling holes. When you take a look at the roster, it does not feel like they are desperate for a starter anywhere. However, this roster is not complete, and without first and second-round picks in this draft, there are areas of this roster the team may want to fill with veterans so they do not have to rely on a player they like dropping.
According to Over the Cap, the Broncos are sitting with just around $7,000,000 in cap space. Usually, that would end a team’s free agency because they need to use around that much for a draft class. That is one benefit to having no picks until the third round, it makes the draft class cheaper. They can still use a decent amount of that cap to get two or three solid players.
George Paton has also done a great job of mitigating cap hits despite signing players to huge contracts. Mike McGlinchey and Zach Allen are both $6,000,000 cap hits, and Ben Powers is a $5,250,000 Cap hit. That is great, considering the team is getting three really good starters for little cap hits. In this stage of free agency, the players’ contracts should be smaller, and that means the cap hits may be next to nothing. It also helps to have the wealthiest owner in the NFL and can manipulate the cap better.
Keep reading below to see the Denver Broncos: Top Free Agent Needs Remaining Pre-Draft and where they can still improve with less than three weeks before the draft.
Denver Broncos: Top Free Agent Needs
Top Needs: #1 Corner Back, #2 Running Back, #3 Defensive Line
Corner Back Breakdown:
Corner Back does not seem like a position most people would call a need for the Broncos, considering they have Patrick Surtain II on the roster. However, after Surtain, it is a second-year pro in Damarri Mathis next to him. They do have K’Waun Williams, who had a really good season in the slot for Denver, but in a division with Mahomes and Herbert, another good outside CB would be huge.
The team does love Mathis, but he had a really rough start to his career getting picked on by Herbert and the Chargers. It was his first game with real snaps, and he got called for some pass interference and gave up some big plays. Even though he finished the season well, it may be nice to have a more experienced CB paired with PS2.
Top CBs available: Rock Ya-Sin, Marcus Peters, William Jackson III, Shaquille Griffin
There are lots of ways the Broncos can go here, and it depends on what they are valuing. To me, with the team saying how much they like Mathis and with the team not going to have much cap space in the future, this takes out Ya-Sin and Griffin. I do not believe they would go for a CB for a long-term fix; this may be more of a one-year signing to help develop Mathis.
To me, the best option is William Jackson III. He fits as an outside CB next to PS2, and at 30 years old, he probably only signs for one, maybe two-year, deal. He only played in four games last season, which is concerning, but before last season he never gave up a higher than 60% completion rate. The passer rating is rather high, and he has never been an Interception guy, but he will not give up catches consistently. If the Broncos can get him at a good price, he would be more valuable than any CB drafted in the third round or later.
Former Commanders CB William Jackson III (3) – Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports
Running Back Breakdown:
Based on the depth of this position and the talent still on the market, I almost made this the #1 priority. However, with it being pretty easy to find late-round RB production and the team seemingly confident Javonte Williams will be back during the season, it got knocked down to #2.
Still, I think it would be a good idea to try and get a sure-fire starting caliber RB before the draft. That way, the team does not have to hope a talent they like falls to them, and they do not need to rush Williams back early from his injury.
Top RBs available: Kareem Hunt, Ezekiel Elliot, Leanord Fournette, Mark Ingram
The ideal running back for this team is going to be someone that can pair with Perine well, considering the contract the Broncos gave him. That and Sean Payton loves to have multiple RBs on the field at the same time. Back in his New Orleans days, Kamara and Ingram were on the field a lot together. That can be tough because all of these guys play a pretty similar style to Perine. Really good pass blocking is physical, in-between-the-tackles type runner and can catch the ball when needed.
My pick that best compliments him is Kareem Hunt. Still only 27 years old, he may be willing to sign a one-year prove-it type deal to get a bigger contract next season. He also is the only RB that adds some more versatility in the run game. He is more explosive and can do some things in the passing game, similar to what Alvin Kamara did under Payton in New Orleans. It would also be a huge get if they can snag a former leading rusher at a cheap price.
Former Browns RB Kareem Hunt (27) – Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Defensive Line Breakdown:
As of right now, the defensive line might be the easiest position for them to fill in the draft if they choose to. They have five linemen right now the team really likes, headlined by D.J. Jones and newcomer Zach Allen. They, plus two incoming second-year players and veteran Mike Purcell makes a solid collection of players.
It is still a relatively thin position group and one that could be looked at as complete with one more signing. This is also a position the Broncos have been great at adding post-draft. Whether that be players cut from other teams or undrafted free agents. Look at Shelby Harris, DeShawn Williams, and the aforementioned Mike Purcell, so, the Brocnos may choose to wait on that position, but there are still players they can add on a cheap deal.
Top DLs available: Frank Clark, Robert Quinn, Yannick Ngakoue, Jadeveon Clowney
The one play left out of the top remaining that is a legit possibility to be signed by the team is Shelby Harris. He would most likely be the cheapest of the group, good for one or two more years, loved the city when he played here, and can fit alongside Jones and Allen. The best player in the group is probably Ngakoue, considering he has never had less than eight sacks in a season; the only problem is he may be priced out of whatever Denver is willing to pay.
The pick I would make, other than maybe Harris, is Clowny. He has never lived up to the expectations set upon him coming into the year but has always shown flashes of good play. With injuries and a lack of consistency, the Broncos may be able to steal him at a cheap price. He could be a great flyer to place because if he hits the Broncos, get a talented player at a cheap price.
Former Texans EDGE Jadeveon Clowney (90) – Chris Szagola/Associated Press
Check out my article on the best draft class for the Broncos over the last 20 years, and be on the lookout for my Broncos seven-round mock draft coming later this week for more!
