NFL free agency starts in earnest in a few days, but around the league, teams including the Denver Broncos reduce players in order to create cash and space limit, and with the news of the base limit set at $ 182.5 million, more veterans are likely to be low per head.
It is critical that the Broncos have a sensible approach to free agency, which meets the most important needs of the list before entering the project, without breaking the bank. In fact, the substance, not flash or splash, should be on the agenda for GM George Paton.
It would be surprising for the Broncos to be major players in the first wave of free agency due to the team’s alleged cash flow issues, especially with the need to give Justin Simmons the security recently labeled with the extension franchise. that he deserves. Doing so would create a competitive cash flow for Denver and expand Simmons before other guarantees such as Marcus Williams, Anthony Harris, Jamal Adams and Derwin James are paid.
Part of the free agency equation is the compensatory formula. Essentially, to qualify for a compensatory draft in 2022, the Broncos must have a “net loss” of talent. While Paton has to do his thing, he was part of that brain confidence of the Minnesota Vikings under GM Rick Spielman, who valued the buildup of selections.
There are some important considerations, however. If the Broncos reject an option or cut a player, that player will not count for the compensatory formula as a lost player if he is signed. Conversely, signing a player who has been cut or who has rejected his choice makes sense for the Broncos, as that player will not count against the compensatory formula when a player has signed.
Another consideration is that, after the draft, the acquisitions of free agents will not count in the countervailing formula. There’s the rush, followed by the second wave, but the post-draft period represents the third wave of free agency where more veterans are likely to be available.
Teams need to strike a careful balance between gaining veteran experience, meeting needs before the draft, and making the most of cheap rookie contracts.
So what signings can make sense for the Broncos?
10. Ben Garland | IOL | San Francisco 49ers
Lloyd Cushenberry had a tough rookie season at center, but has shown flashes and will have a chance to turn it around. Garland is able to play in the center and both on guard positions, is smart 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 who had served in the Air Force before moving on from the defensive attack, but as a man of the homeland security line, he’s a name to be reckoned with. account. Although this will be his 33-year-old season and there is an injury to the calf that ends the season, he played well with a 71.1 Pro Football Focus note on a five-game sample size starting instead of Weston Richburg.
9. James Hurst | OL | Saints of New Orleans
It will be interesting to see what happens in the swing pole position. The Broncos could shoot with Calvin Anderson, re-sign Elijah Wilkinson for a cheap price and get a rookie backup, but if the team follows the veteran route, Hurst is the most intriguing name.
Hurst has experience playing around the O line and is a capable pitch blocker, who should help the Broncos to the top five line players. Its 2020 Over The Cap the valuation was $ 4.23 million and his maximum career success was $ 5.7 million, so he’s not likely to break the bank.
8. Duke Johnson | RB | Houston jeans
Johnson is a free agent on the street because he was cut in February after losing the last three games in 2020 with a neck injury, and is coming off the worst season of his career with just 235 running yards and 249 receptions. The longer it is on the free market, the lower its price will be, and it may even be one that will not be signed until after the draft.
The goal here is to protect himself from a Phillip Lindsay trade or injury, while offering the Broncos a competent transfer option as part of their running committee. Best of all, Johnson would not have the compensatory formula.
7. Kevin Pierre-Louis | LB | Washington football team
While there is a lot of hope for Justin Strnad, the Broncos must continue to add to the free agency position and project, though not necessarily a unique need. Pierre-Louis has been one of the best defenders on the cover line, but he hasn’t really played as a starter.
This season he will be 30 years old and needs to improve on his defense. Pierre-Louis could be the defender of the finish line, with a 2020 Over The Cap valuation of $ 2.251 billion.
6. Roy Robertson-Harris | IDL | Chicago Bears
What the Broncos do on the inside defensive line will depend on what happens to Shelby Harris. If the team re-signs Harris, he might prefer to shoot in depth and write a prospectus to fill it out. If the Broncos pass Harris, they may want an IDL with more initial advantages than Robertson-Harris.
However, Robertson-Harris has experience with Vic Fangio, is a competent career stopper and played his best seasons with Fangio. In four seasons, Robertson-Harris has totaled 75 attacks, nine offense attacks, 7.5 sacks, 30 QB shots and six defensive passes. With a 2020 OTC a valuation of $ 1.179 billion, is likely to be reasonably priced.
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5. Ahkello Witherspoon | CB | San Francisco 49ers
Witherspoon was one of those rare unicorns with length, size, fluidity, and speed. His career in San Francisco has been up and down, ending last year with one PFF degree of 80.2, but has improved as a manipulator and has become more physical.
Witherspoon is not the cleanest fit for Fangio’s predominantly Cover 2 zoning scheme, but it can squeeze and has recovery speed. He has played predominantly outside, but the intention is for him to compete and allow the Broncos to play Bryce Callahan inside.
Witherspoon has a 2020 OTC valuation of $ 2.677 billion, but it will be interesting to see how its market develops. 2021 would be their 26-year season, but for the Broncos, there are plenty of experienced corners approaching the free agency, which could drive down the price.
4. Sheldon Rankins | IDL | Saints of New Orleans
If the Broncos decide to move on from Harris, Rankins should be at the top of the list to replace him at a cheaper cost. He is one of those candidates for the redemption of the first round of “buy bass”, mainly due to the lack of ten games in the last two seasons.
Approaching his 27-year season, Rankins is three seasons away from a season in which he produced 40 attacks, 14 TFLs and 8.0 sacks. He has the ability, when he’s healthy, to take advantage of a team’s pass, but he’ll probably have to settle for a shorter-term deal.
3. Tyus Bowser | Edge | Baltimore Ravens
Although Malik Reed and Jeremiah Attaochu have stepped up over the past two years, the Broncos would be best to cover their bet with a rookie (or two) and a veteran, regardless of what the team decides to do with Von Miller during next week.
While their low sack totals can depress their value a bit, there is more to it than a good advantage game than a quick step. Bowser will approach the 26-year-old season and has excellent athletics. While he’s a little light and can get stuck on his blocks, Bowser had a 76.0 PFF degree in current defense for 2020, with a good engine. He really made the most of last season and is approaching the free agency with a high grade.
2. Tyrod Taylor | QB | Los Angeles Chargers
If the Broncos want to pick the North Dakota state’s Trey Lance, the team could do so with veteran coverage that at least reflects their style of play. There’s an excess of free agent QBs, and teams can watch the draft as well, so if Taylor doesn’t get the initial interest from other teams, he could be playing the freestyle waiting game.
Taylor will turn 32 this summer and has 47 NFL starts (24-21-1). As a youngster, he has amassed 9,770 passing yards and 54 touchdowns to just 20 interceptions since arriving in the NFL as a Baltimore sixth-round pick in 2011. He protects the ball and knows how to target a young, future QB ( see Mayfield, Baker and Herbert, Justin).
1. Janoris Jenkins | CB | New Orleans Saints
A late addition to the list, Jenkins reaches the top for a reason. While he has some questions about injuries and characters, in a proper environment, he has proven to be a very capable corner, especially in area coverage.
Still, Jenkins will turn 33 this fall. Last year he signed a two-year, $ 16.75 million deal with the Saints, so around a contract that would pay him $ 7 million APY with incentives would be good.
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