The NFL-free agency starts off serious in a few days, but across the league, teams, including the Denver Broncos, are cutting players to create cash and cap space, and with the news that the base ceiling is $ 182.5 million, more being a veteran is probably a cap victim.
It’s very important for the Broncos to have a sensible approach to free agency – one that meets the most important grid needs before moving on to the draft, without breaking the bank. Indeed, dust, not flash or splash, should be the order of the day for GM George Paton.
It would be surprising if the Broncos are key 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 recent franchise-marked safety, the extension he earn. Thus, Denver would create a competitive cash flow and Simmons would be extended before other security needs such as Marcus Williams, Anthony Harris, Jamal Adams and Derwin James were paid.
The compensatory formula is part of the free agency equation. To qualify 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 the Minnesota Vikings brain trust under GM Rick Spielman, who appreciated the appreciation of successive choices.
However, there are some important considerations. If the Broncos reject an option or cut a player, the player will not count in the compensating formula as a player who would be lost if signed. Conversely, it makes sense for the Broncos to sign a player who has been cut or denied the option, as the player will not count against the compensation formula as a player has signed.
Another consideration is that obtaining free agent after the draft will not count towards the compensation formula. There is a rush, followed by the second wave, but the period after the draft is the third wave of free agency where more veterans are likely to be made available.
Teams need to find a careful balance between gaining veteran experience, meeting pre-draft needs and utilizing inexpensive rookie contracts.
So who are the ‘bargain’ signings that could make sense for the Broncos?
10. Ben Garland | IOL | San Francisco 49ers
Lloyd Cushenberry had a difficult rookie season in the middle, but showed flashes and will have the opportunity to reverse it. Garland is capable of playing center and both guard positions, he is intelligent and will bring a veteran presence to the O-line room.
Garland did not get much of a chance in his first turn at the Broncos who served his military service in the Air Force before moving on from a defensive attack, but as a rugby lineman he is a name to look at. Although it will be his 33-year-old season, and he ends a season with the calf injury, he played well with a 71.1 Pro soccer focus grade over a five-sample size starting in place of Weston Richburg.
9. James Hurst | OL | New Orleans Saints
It will be interesting to see what happens in the position for the swing suit. The Broncos may roll alongside Calvin Anderson, sign Elijah Wilkinson cheaply again and get a rookie backup, but if the team goes the veteran route, Hurst is the name that intrigues the most.
Hurst has experience playing anywhere in the O-line and is a capable pass rate, which can help the Broncos best five lineouts. Sy 2020 About the cap the valuation was $ 4.23 million, and his highest career amount was $ 5.7 million, so he probably would not break the bank.
8. Duke Johnson | RB | Houston Texans
Johnson is a free agent on the street because he was cut in February after missing the last three games in 2020 with a neck injury, coming off the worst season of his career, with just 235 running yards and 249 receptions. The longer he is on the free market, the lower its price will be, and he may be one of those who will only be signed after the draft.
The goal here is to protect against a Phillip Lindsay trade or an injury, while the Broncos provide a capable delivery option as part of their comeback committee. Best of all, Johnson will not count in the compensatory formula.
7. Kevin Pierre-Louis | LB | Washington Soccer Team
While there is much hope for Justin Strnad, the Broncos should continue to elevate its position in the free agency and the draft, although it is not necessarily a day-to-day need. Pierre-Louis was one of the better linebackers in the coverage, but did not really play as an appetizer.
He will be thirty years old this season and needs to improve in his defense. Pierre-Louis may be the lineout ball to aim for, with a 2020 About the cap valuation of $ 2,251 million.
Roy Robertson-Harris | IDL | Chicago Bears
What the Broncos do on the home defense line will depend on what happens to Shelby Harris. If the team signs Harris again, it prefers to roll with the depth and set up a prospect to fill it out. If the Broncos move on from Harris, they might want an IDL with more appetizer than Robertson-Harris.
However, Robertson-Harris has experience with Vic Fangio, is a capable run-stop and has played his best seasons under Fangio. In four seasons, Robertson-Harris has defended a total of 75 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, 7.5 bags, 30 QB hits and six passes. With a 2020 OTC a valuation of $ 1,179 million, he is likely to have a reasonable price.
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5. Ahkello Witherspoon | CB | San Francisco 49ers
As a prospect from Colorado, Witherspoon was one of the rare unicorns with length, size, fluidity and speed. His career in San Francisco is up and down and ended last year with a PFF grade 80.2, but he improved as a tackler and became more physical.
Witherspoon does not fit the cleanest fit at Fangio’s mainly Cover 2 zone, but he can push and he has recovery speed. He played mainly on the outside, but the intention is that he would 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 age of 26, but for the Broncos, there are many experienced corners approaching the free agency that could bring the price down.
4. Sheldon Rankins | IDL | New Orleans Saints
If the Broncos decide to move from Harris, Rankins should be at the top of the list to replace him at a cheaper cost. He is one of the ‘buy low’ candidates for the first round relay, mainly because he has missed ten games over the past two seasons.
After approaching his 27-year-old season, Rankins was just three seasons removed from a season in which he produced 40 tackles, 14 TFLs and 8.0 sacks. He is able, if he is healthy, to mitigate a speed pass rate, but will probably have to accept a shorter term proof.
3. Tyus Bowser | Rand | Baltimore Ravens
Although the likes of Malik Reed and Jeremiah Attaochu have performed over the past two years, the Broncos would have served best to hedge their bet against an edge rusher with a rookie (or two) and a veteran, no matter what the team decided to join. Von Miller over the next week.
While his low pocket totals can suppress his value, there is more to good side play than rushing. Bowser will approach his 26-year-old season and has excellent athletics. While he is a bit light and can get stuck on his blocks, Bowser had a 76.0 PFF degree in running defense for 2020, with a good car. He has really made the best use of the past season and is approaching the free agency on a high note.
2. Tyrod Taylor | QB | Los Angeles Chargers
If the Broncos are looking to set up the Trey Lance in North Dakota, the team could make a veteran fence that at least reflects his style of play. There is an abundance of free agencies, and teams can look at the concept as well, so if Taylor does not get initial interest from other teams, he can play the waiting game in free agency.
Taylor turns 32 this summer and has dominated 47 NFL games (24-21-1). As a servant to the boyfriend, he has amassed 9,770 passing yards and 54 touchdowns to just 20 interceptions since arriving in the NFL in 2011 as the sixth round of Baltimore. He protects the ball and knows how to guide a young, future QB (see Mayfield, Baker and Herbert, Justin).
1. Janoris Jenkins | CB | New Orleans Saints
A late addition to the list, Jenkins falls to the top of it for a reason. Although he has some injuries and character questions, he has proven in the right environment that he is a very capable corner, especially in the zone coverage.
However, Jenkins turns 33 this fall. He signed a $ 16.75 million two-year deal with the Saints last year, so a contract that pays him $ 7 million APY with incentives would be good.
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