Despite salary cap constraints following Russell Wilson’s release, the Denver Broncos strategically navigated free agency last year, making several key signings. Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently analyzed the free agency period, highlighting each team’s best and worst signings.

Denver’s 2024 season was an overwhelming success. The preseason projections had them winning only five games. Instead, the team exceeded expectations, finishing with 10 victories and clinching a playoff berth for the first time in nine years. This remarkable turnaround was fueled, in part, by several successful free-agent acquisitions.

Best Signing: S Brandon Jones

According to Wasserman, Jones was the Broncos’ best free agent signing.

“Jones had big shoes to fill as the replacement for Justin Simmons,” Wasserman wrote. “But he played his part by earning an outstanding 89.8 coverage grade. That mark places him third among qualified safeties, making him one of the best value signings of last year’s free agency period.”

Jones’ three-year, $20 million contract, including $11 million guaranteed, is already a bargain. PFF reports he surrendered just 297 receiving yards and one touchdown across 17 regular season games. He also had one forced fumble and was the first Broncos safety since Steve Atwater in 1995 to have three interceptions and 100+ total tackles.

Worst Signing: Josh Reynolds

Contrasting with the Jones success, Wasserman identified the signing of Reynolds as the Broncos’ worst free agent move.

As Wasserman explained, “Reynolds caught just 12 passes in a Denver uniform before being replaced with more productive options and was eventually released. He finished the season on Jacksonville’s roster but caught just one pass in four games there.”

Reynolds’s 2024 season was unfortunately marred by being the victim of a shooting incident. That limited him to just five games with the Broncos before being placed on injured reserve and subsequently released in Week 13. He was later claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite a career-best season in 2023, where he tallied 608 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Reynolds struggled to regain his form. However, given his previous success, a bounce-back season in 2025 is highly possible.

With greater salary cap flexibility in 2025, the Broncos will be even more active in free agency. This sets the stage for what could be another transformative offseason for the team. With Sean Payton and George Paton leading the way, there’s no reason to doubt it.