The free NFL agency starts in earnest in just a few days, but around the league, teams, including the Denver Broncos, are reducing players to create cash and cap, and the news of the base ceiling is set at $ 182.5 million, more veterans are probably victims of the ceiling.
It is crucial for Broncos to have a sensitive free agency approach – one that meets the major list needs before entering the project without breaking the bank. Indeed, the substance, not flash or splash, should be the order of the day for GM George Paton.
It would be surprising if the Broncos are significant players in the first wave of free agency due to the team’s alleged cash flow problems, especially with the need to give the newly marked Justin Simmons franchise the security it deserves. Doing so would create a competitive cash flow for Denver and expand Simmons before other security payments such as Marcus Williams, Anthony Harris, Jamal Adams and Derwin James are paid.
Part of the free agency equation is the compensatory formula. In essence, to qualify for a compensatory selection in 2022, the Broncos must have a “net loss” of talent. While Paton has to do his own thing, he has been part of the brain trust of the Minnesota Vikings under GM Rick Spielman, who valued the accumulation of elections.
However, there are some important considerations. If Broncos refuses an option or cuts a player, that player will not count in the compensation formula as a lost player if he has signed. On the contrary, signing a player who has been cut or whose option has been denied makes sense to the Broncos, because that player will not take into account the compensation formula as a signed player.
Another consideration is that, after the project, the acquisitions of free agents will not count in the countervailing formula. There is a rush, followed by the second wave, but the post-draft period is the third wave of free agency in which more veterans are likely to be available.
Teams need to find a careful balance between gaining veteran experience, meeting pre-project needs and making the most of cheap beginner contracts.
So who are the signatures of the “bargain basket” that could make sense to the Broncos?
10. Ben Garland | IOL | San Francisco 49ers
Lloyd Cushenberry had a tough season in the center, but he showed flashes and will have the opportunity to return him. Garland is able to play in the center and both guard positions, is smart and would bring a veteran presence in the O-line room.
Garland didn’t have much of a chance in his first period, with the Broncos doing his military service in the Air Force before moving on from the defensive attack, but as a backup man, he’s a name to watch. Although this will be his season at the age of 33 and he will come out of a calf injury that ends the season, he played well with a 71.1 Pro Football Focus note over a sample of five games, starting with Weston Richburg.
9. James Hurst | OL | New Orleans Saints
It will be interesting to see what happens in the attacking position. The Broncos could play with Calvin Anderson, re-register Elijah Wilkinson for a cheap price and get a rookie reserve, but if the team goes on 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 who should help the Broncos win the top five lines. 2020’s Over the lid the valuation was $ 4.23 million, and the biggest hit of his career was $ 5.7 million, so he is unlikely to break the bank.
8. Duke Johnson | RB | Houston Texans
Johnson is a free agent since he was cut in February after missing the last three games of 2020 with a neck injury, and is coming off the worst season of his career with just 235 rushing yards and 249 yards. receptions. The more it is on the free market, the lower its price will be and it could even be one of those that will not be signed until after the project.
The purpose here is to protect themselves against a Phillip Lindsay transaction or injury, while providing the Broncos with a competent transfer option as part of their demotion committee. At best, Johnson would not count in the compensation formula.
7. Kevin Pierre-Louis | LB | The Washington football team
Although there is a lot of high hopes for Justin Strnad, Broncos must continue to add to his position in the free agency and the project, although it is not necessarily a one-day need. Pierre-Louis was one of the best defenders in cover, but he didn’t really play as a starter.
He will be 30 years old this season and needs improvements in his defense. Pierre-Louis could be the target line for a 2020 target Over the lid valuation of $ 2,251 million.
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 signs Harris again, they may prefer to run deep and develop a prospectus to complete. If the Broncos passes Harris, he may want an IDL with more starter up than Robertson-Harris.
However, Robertson-Harris has experience with Vic Fangio, is a competent stopper and has played his best seasons under Fangio. In four seasons, Robertson-Harris totaled 75 approaches, nine approaches for a loss, 7.5 sacks, 30 QB shots and six defenders. 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
As a Colorado prospect, 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 a PFF grade 80.2, but improved as an approach and became more physical.
Witherspoon is not the cleanest fit for the predominantly Fangio Cover 2 area scheme, but it can push and has recovery speed. He 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 $ 2.637 million, but it will be interesting to see how its market develops. 2021 would be his 26th birthday season, but for the Broncos, there are plenty of experienced corners approaching the free agency, which could lower the price.
4. Sheldon Rankins | IDL | New Orleans Saints
If the Broncos decide to move on from Harris, Rankins should be close to the top of the list to replace him at a cheaper cost. He is one of those first-round “buy low” buyout candidates, largely due to the lack of 10 games in the last two seasons.
Approaching his 27-year-old season, Rankins is only three seasons removed from a season in which he produced 40 tackles, 14 TFLs and 8.0 sacks. He has the ability, when he is healthy, to suggest the step of a team, but he will probably have to settle for a shorter, proven business.
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 served to cover their bet with a rookie (or two) and a veteran, no matter what the team decides to do with Von Miller this week. future.
Although its low total of the bag could depreciate its value, there is more to it than a good edge play than a haste. Bowser will approach his 26-year-old season and has great athletics. While it’s a little easy and can get stuck on its blocks, Bowser had a 76.0 PFF qualified in running defense for 2020, with a good engine. He took full advantage of last season and is approaching the free agency with a high grade.
2. Tyrod Taylor | QB | Los Angeles Chargers
If the Broncos are looking to design Trey Lance from North Dakota, the team could do with a veteran hedge that at least somehow reflects his style of play. There is a lack of free agent QBs, and teams could also watch the draft, so if Taylor fails to attract the initial interest of other teams, he could play the waiting game in the free agency.
Taylor will turn 32 this summer and has 47 NFL starts under his belt (24-21-1). As a stop-gap, he has accumulated 9,770 yards and 54 touchdowns in just 20 interceptions since arriving in the NFL as a Baltimore sixth-round pick in 2011. He protects the ball and knows how to guide. a future young QB (see Mayfield, Baker and Herbert, Justin).
1. Janoris Jenkins | CB | New Orleans Saints
A late addition to the list, Jenkins enters the top of it for a reason. Although he has some questions about injury and character, in the right environment, he proved to be a very capable corner, especially in covering the area.
However, Jenkins will turn 33 this fall. He signed a two-year, $ 16.75 million contract with the Saints last year, so around a $ 7 million APY incentive contract would be good.
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