The Denver Broncos made several moves during NFL free agency that added depth and potential starters in some parts of their roster, but is there a bigger plan in place as the NFL Draft approaches?
Denver Broncos path to the draft opens up after NFL Free Agency moves
One of the key points of emphasis for the Broncos front office this offseason was to find a way to maneuver the release of Russell Wilson smartly. They did that by eating the $53M portion of his deadcap this year and will eat the remaining $32M next offseason.
While that still has a financial impact on Denver, they’re sitting in a good position in comparison to where many thought they would be. As it currently stands, they have around $20M in cap space, according to Spotrac.
After their free agency moves, they have plenty of options heading into the NFL Draft.
The Broncos currently have eight total draft picks heading into April’s big event.
- First Round, Pick 12.
- Third Round, Pick 76.
- Fourth Round, Pick 121
- Fifth Round, Pick 136.
- Fifth Round, Pick 145.
- Fifth Round, Pick 147.
- Sixth Round, Pick 203.
- Sixth Round, Pick 207.
What do their moves in free agency tell us about their potential path to the draft? Quarterback seems to be the buzz surrounding the team, who is keeping their cards close to the vest.
While many national NFL voices like Ian Rapoport and Tom Peliserro seem to suggest that Sean Payton and George Paton are comfortable heading into 2024 with Jarrett Stidham as their starter, the Broncos’ braintrust history of letting people know what they’re thinking doesn’t make me a believer.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what I would want to do or what Broncos Country wants to do; nothing is coming out of the building in Dove Valley, and most reports you see are speculative. Keep in mind also that this is smoke screen season as teams prepare for the draft.
Now that Denver has concluded their free agency run on players, they are diving even further into their draft meetings to assemble their big board. I have a gut feeling that quarterback is going to be their top priority as they pick 12th overall.
Brandon Jones will boost secondary options
After releasing Justin Simmons, the Broncos added former Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones to the backend of their roster. Denver also re-signed P.J. Locke to a two-year deal, keeping him in the Mile High City and penciling him as a starter.
With Jones’ addition to the secondary, he, Locke, and Caden Sterns will be the three headline players at the position, followed by Delarrin Turner-Yell and JL Skinner.
Turner-Yell is recovering from off-season ACL surgery and will more than likely not be ready for the start of the the regular season and will be a likely PUP candidate. The Broncos are hopeful that Skinner takes a bigger step forward here this offseason and has more of an elevated role next season where he’s expected to contribute significantly on special teams.
Sterns is expected to be fully ready to roll for training camp when the Broncos report in July after having surgery for a ruptured patellar tendon after he suffered the injury in Denver’s season opener against the Raiders.
While Jones’ strength has been as a box safety, it’s expected that Denver’s safeties will all learn to play the drop-down role and middle post role under Jim Leonhard’s coaching inside of Vance Joseph’s defensive scheme.
At this point, Denver could take a look at adding another safety option in the NFL Draft for depth and development purposes.
Malcolm Roach will have impact role for Denver’s defensive line
One of the most important areas for the Broncos to improve this offseason was on the defensive line. While they didn’t go out and add big splashes to the position room, they added Malcolm Roach, who can have a big impact himself.
At his size, Roach played 290 defensive snaps (37%) for the New Orleans Saints last season. He’ll likely start but will be involved in a rotation of players at the position, depending on what the Broncos defensive front will look like under new position coach Jamar Cain.
The anticipated starting lineup for Denver on the defensive line includes Zach Allen and D.J. Jones at defensive end, with Malcolm in the middle at defensive tackle. See what I did there?
While Jones started the season as a defensive tackle last year, the Broncos ended up moving him over to defensive end, upending previous starter Jonathan Harris to give Denver more size and athleticism at the three technique.
Roach’s addition will help Denver, but it still doesn’t address the concern of experienced depth. Behind him, Denver has fifth-year veteran Rashard Lawrence, who will compete in the mix.
It’s unclear whether or not Eyioma Uwazurike will be re-instated after he was suspended indefinitely for gambling. He’s eligible for reinstatement in July, but that judgment will come down from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Broncos add Cody Barton to linebacker group
After losing Josey Jewell to the Carolina Panthers, the Denver Broncos added Cody Barton from the Washington Commanders to their linebacker room. As it currently stands, the position group features Alex Singleton, Barton, Justin Strnad, who returned on a one-year deal, Jonas Griffith, and potentially Drew Sanders if he moves back after transitioning to the edge.
Barton started 13 games for the Commanders last season and has experience, but on paper, it feels like the starting job next to Singleton should be up for grabs in July. Barton, Strnad, Griffith, and Sanders should compete for the starting job at the ‘Mike’ backer position.
Sean Payton will meet with the media on Monday at the NFL Annual League Meeting, and this could be one of the questions he will answer in the upcoming scrum.
Regardless, the Broncos may look at adding a piece or two in the NFL Draft with one of their eight picks through the first six rounds.
Matt Peart adds depth to Broncos offensive tackle group
Prior to free agency starting, there was a lot of speculation surrounding the future of Garett Bolles heading into the 2024 season. After free agency has come and gone, it appears that Denver is rolling with Bolles as their starter at left tackle and Mike McGlinchey returning at right tackle.
Depth is important and Denver’s signing of Matt Peart adds that to the position room. Heading into the offseason program, the Broncos also have two undrafted rookie free agents in Demontrey Jacobs and Alex Palczewski who will have their opportunities to compete for a backup role behind Bolles and McGlinchey.
Peart also has the flexibility to play both left and right and will more than likely take over the role that Cam Fleming had for the team last season.
