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3 Available Free Agents Broncos Should Target

The Denver Broncos still have a few glaring roster holes to fill.
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The Denver Broncos outspent the rest of the NFL during this offseason, using free agency to get the players they needed to improve the team. The signings have been good moves. 

The Broncos went out and got the free agents they targeted, signaling to the rest of the league that the new owners are all-in on bringing the winning ways back to the Mile High City. However, there are three remaining moves Denver needs to make before the draft.

There are players that teams can find in the draft at certain positions, which can be contributors on day one. Running back is one of those positions. Even though the cupboard is still a bit bare, the Broncos can wait on the draft to bolster the running back depth chart. 

There are positions where rookies often struggle to contribute early. The Broncos must pick up free agents in these spots to ensure that the team can enter the offseason with a full complement of starters and depth players.

Defensive Line

Zach Allen was an excellent free-agent acquisition to replace the departed Dre’Mont Jones. However, DeShawn Williams, Denver's other 2022 starter, also left via free agency. Currently, the team is a little thin on the defensive line, even with second-year players Matt Henningsen and Eyioma Uwazurike in line for more playing time. 

The Broncos' projected starters are Allen, D.J. Jones, and Mike Purcell, which is solid, but the rotation is a concern. The two aforementioned second-year players look like solid pieces, but the depth chart could be better. 

Jonathan Harris has made the team the last couple of seasons, but his play last year needed to be better for a key rotational player. The Broncos must find some experienced depth for this rotation because the defensive line takes young players time to develop, especially mid to late-round draftees.

A bevy of defensive linemen, ranging from young to old, is still available. Most of them won’t come with a significant price impact. 

Target: Akeim Hicks | Hicks has familiarity with Sean Payton, would come at a lower price, and could be a key rotational player. Hicks has struggled with injuries the last couple of seasons, though.

If he was not asked to be a starter, it could lessen the wear and tear on his body. If an injury befell one of Denver's starters, he could easily step in and hold down the fort. 

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Offensive Tackle 

Do the Broncos really want to enter the season with Isaiah Prince as their key backup at offensive tackle? Nothing against Prince, but since he entered the league, he has played in a total of 19 games and with limited starts.

The team needs to find another player who can provide solid depth and fill in admirably if an injury should occur.

Target: Cameron Fleming | There are some solid offensive tackles still unsigned who could provide depth, including Fleming, who the Broncos would be wise to approach. He's not a bonafide starter in the league, but he has value as a depth player who can line up on both the left or right side.

It would behoove the Broncos to try and get Fleming back on a one-year deal. The offensive line was a mess last season, so, understandably, the team wants to explore other options, but they could do worse than Fleming when trying to add depth.

Interior O-Line

The same question could be asked about the interior offensive line as was asked about the tackle position. Are the Broncos really relying on Luke Wattenberg as their experienced player for depth at center and guard, assuming Payton plans to roll Lloyd Cushenberry III out as the starting center?

After Wattenberg, the players filling out the depth along the interior of the offensive line have a total of one NFL game played. Entering the 2023 season without experienced backups is a considerable risk.

Target: Trai Turner | The Broncos could go after someone like Turner. He went to five Pro Bowls as a Carolina Panther but has bounced around the NFL since 2020.

Turner is not an expensive free agent, would provide that much-needed experience, and fits the style Payton is looking for along the offensive line. He has lost some of his earlier mojo, but could have value as the experienced backup who can step in for spot duty when needed.

With the limited amount of draft capital at the Broncos’ disposal, it would be wise for the team to go after a few more free agents to provide depth on one-year deals.

Those deals would be easy for Denver to get out of if GM George Paton could strike gold on a couple of late-round draft picks.


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