NFL-free agency starts in earnest in just a few days, but across the league, teams including the Denver Broncos are cutting players off to create cash and cap space, and with the news that the base cap is set at $ 182.5 million, more veterans are likely to be the greatest number of victims.
It’s paramount for the Broncos to have a sensible approach to free agency – one that caters for major roster needs before moving to draft, without breaking the bank. Indeed, substance, not flash or splash, should be the order of the day for GM George Paton.
It would be surprising if the Broncos are major players in the first wave of free agency due to the team’s alleged cash flow problems, especially with the need to give Justin Simmons, who is recently a franchise tag, the extension he deserves. This would create a competitive cash flow for Denver and extend Simmons before paying other protections like Marcus Williams, Anthony Harris, Jamal Adams and Derwin James.
Part of the free agency equation is the compensatory formula. Essentially, to be eligible for a compensatory draft pick in 2022, the Broncos must have a ‘net loss’ of talent. While Paton has to do his own thing, he was part of that Minnesota Vikings brain trust under GM Rick Spielman who appreciated picking up choices.
However, there are a few important considerations. If the Broncos decline an option or cut a player, that player will not count toward the compensatory formula if a player loses if drawn. Conversely, it makes sense to draw a player who has been dropped or whose option has been declined makes sense to the Broncos, as that player does not count towards the compensatory formula if a player has signed it.
Another consideration is that, after design, acquisitions of free agents do not count towards the compensatory formula. There is the buzz followed by the second wave, but the period after the design phase represents the third wave of free power where more veterans are likely to be made available.
Teams must strike a careful balance between gaining experienced experience, filling in needs before the draft begins, and making the most of cheap beginner contracts.
So who are the ‘bargain bin’ signings that could make sense for the Broncos?
10. Ben Garland | IOL | San Francisco 49ers
Lloyd Cushenberry had a rough mid-season rookie season but has shown flashes and gets a chance to turn it around. Garland can play in the center and both holding positions, he is intelligent and would bring a veteran presence to the O-line room.
Garland didn’t get much of a chance in his first stint with the Broncos after serving his military service in the Air Force before switching from defensive tackle, but as a backup indoor climber, he’s a name to keep an eye out for. While this will be his 33-year-old season and he sustained a calf injury ending the season, he played well with a 71.1. Pro Football Focus rank over a sample size of five games, starting in Weston Richburg’s place.
9. James Hurst | OL | New Orleans Saints
It will be interesting to see what happens with the swing gear. The Broncos could roll with Calvin Anderson, re-contract Elijah Wilkinson cheaply, and get a rookie backup, but if the team goes down the veteran route, Hurst is the name that intrigues the most.
Hurst has experience playing around the O line and is a capable pass blocker, which should help the Broncos play the best five linemen. Are 2020 About the cap The valuation was $ 4.23 million, and his highest hit in his career was $ 5.7 million, so he’s unlikely to break the bank.
8. Duke Johnson | RB | Houston Texans
Johnson is a street-free cop because he was dropped in February after missing the last three games in 2020 with a neck injury, and he’s coming off the worst season of his career with just 235 rushing yards and 249 received. The longer it is in the open market, the lower its price will be, and it could even be one of those who will not be signed until after design.
The goal here is to hedge against a Phillip Lindsay transaction or injury, while giving the Broncos a competent pass-on option as part of their running back commission. Best of all, Johnson wouldn’t count towards the compensatory formula.
7. Kevin Pierre-Louis | LB | Washington football team
While there are many high hopes for Justin Strnad, the Broncos should continue to contribute to the position in free agency and design, although it is not necessarily an everyday necessity. Pierre-Louis is one of the better linebackers in coverage, but hasn’t really played as a starter.
He is turning 30 this season and needs improvement in his run defense. Pierre-Louis might just be the linebacker to target, with a 2020 About the cap valuation of $ 2,251 million.
6. Roy Robertson-Harris | IDL | Chicago bears
What the Broncos do on the inner line of defense depends on what happens to Shelby Harris. If the team re-signs Harris, it may prefer to go with the depth and draft a prospect to fill it in. If the Broncos move away from Harris, they may want an IDL with more starter-upside than Robertson-Harris.
However, Robertson-Harris has experience with Vic Fangio, is a skilled run topper and played his best seasons under Fangio. In four seasons, Robertson-Harris has a total of 75 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, 30 QB hits and six defended passes. With a 2020 OTC valued at $ 1,179 million, it is likely to be reasonably priced.
What happens next for the Broncos? Do not miss news and analyzes! Take a second and sign up for our FREE newsletter and get the latest Broncos news delivered to your inbox every day!
5. Ahkello Witherspoon | CB | San Francisco 49ers
A Colorado prospect, Witherspoon was one of those rare unicorns with length, size, smoothness, and speed. His San Francisco career went up and down, ending with a last year PFF rating of 80.2, but he has improved as a tackler and has become more physical.
Witherspoon isn’t the best fit for Fangio’s predominantly Cover 2 zone schedule, but it can press and it has recovery speed. He’s mainly played on the outside, but he’s supposed to compete and allow the Broncos to play Bryce Callahan on the inside.
Witherspoon has a 2020 OTC valuation of $ 2.637 million, but it will be interesting to see how its market develops. 2021 would be his 26-year season, but for the Broncos, there are many experienced turns approaching free agency, which could bring the price down.
4. Sheldon Rankins | IDL | New Orleans Saints
If the Broncos decide to leave Harris, Rankins should be at the top of the list to replace him at a lower cost. He’s one of those ‘low buy’ contenders for the first round, largely due to missing 10 games in the past two seasons.
Rankins is approaching his 27-year season and is just three seasons away from a season where he produced 40 tackles, 14 TFLs and 8.0 sacks. He has the ability, when healthy, to handle a team’s pass rush, but will likely have to settle for a shorter, ‘proof-it’ deal.
3. Tyus Bowser | Edge | Baltimore Ravens
While Malik Reed and Jeremiah Attaochu have gone a step further over the past two years, the Broncos would be best served to cover their bets with a rookie (or two) and a veteran, no matter what the team decides to do. Von Miller the next week.
While his low sack totals can weigh down his value somewhat, there’s more to good edge play than pass rush. Bowser is approaching his 26-year season and has an excellent track record. Although he is a bit light and can get stuck on his blocks, Bowser had a 76.0 PFF grade in run defense for 2020, with a good engine. He really made the most of the past season and approaches free agency with a high level.
2. Tyrod Taylor | QB | Los Angeles chargers
If the Broncos want to line up the Trey Lance of the state of North Dakota, the team can use a seasoned hedge that reflects at least somewhat its playing style. There’s a plethora of QBs from freelancers, and teams can look into the concept too, so if Taylor fails to spark initial interest from other teams, he could play the waiting game in free agency.
Taylor turns 32 this summer and has 47 NFL starts (24-21-1). As a stop-gap for a journeyman, he has amassed 9,770 passing yards and 54 touchdowns to just 20 interceptions since entering the NFL as Baltimore’s sixth round pick in 2011. He protects the ball and knows how to play a young, future starting QB. guide (see Mayfield, Baker and Herbert, Justin).
1. Janoris Jenkins | CB | New Orleans Saints
A late addition to the list, Jenkins is jumping at the top for a reason. While he has some injury and character questions, in the right environment he has proven to be a very capable corner, especially when it comes to zone coverage.
However, Jenkins will turn 33 this fall. He signed a two-year $ 16.75 million deal with the Saints last year, so going around a contract that would pay him $ 7 million APY with incentives would be fine.
Follow James on Twitter @JamesC_MHH
Follow Mile High Huddle Twitter and Facebook
Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on Youtube for daily Broncos livestream podcasts!