Denver Broncos Free Agency Review and Draft Preview

The Denver Broncos made some big signings in the early stages of free agency. In the offseason Denver landed these free agents and trades:

• Denver released S Darian Stewart
• Denver re-signed LS Casey Kreiter for one year
• Denver trades a 4th round pick (2019) for QB Joe Flacco
• Denver signs DB Kareem Jackson for three years
• Denver signs OT Ja’Waun James for four years
• Denver acquires a 6th round pick (2020) for QB Case Keenum and a 7th round pick (2020)
• Denver signs CB Bryce Callahan for three years
• Denver re-signs TE Jeff Heuerman for two years
• Denver re-signs DL Zach Kerr for two years

The Broncos had a very busy nine days of signings, trades, and a release.

Free agent Broncos who signed elsewhere:

• Bradley Roby signs with the Houston Texans
• Matt Paradis signs with the Carolina Panthers
• Shaquil Barrett signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Free Agency Breakdown

Ja’Waun James should make an immediate impact on the Broncos offensive line.

Solidifying the right tackle position should bring down the 2.1 sacks allowed per game of last season.

The departure of Darian Stewart and Bradley Roby hurt the secondary positions, but the high caliber additions of Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan could be an overall improvement.

Kareem Jackson is coming off one of his best seasons with 87 tackles.

Bryce Callahan as a limited starter grabbed two interceptions in each of his seasons with the Chicago Bears.

While the quarterback situation is still a large question mark, Joe Flacco could bring the needed veteran experience and poise for a successful season in Denver.

The re-signings were all safe calls since no cheap upgrades were available in the free agency and the draft is always a gamble.

Shipping off Case Keenum for one round upgrade of a draft pick was a weak deal, but the cap space saved will make room for Flacco and rookie contracts.

The cap space is currently sitting at 11.62 million, which means the Broncos will now move on from free agency deals to drafting gems.

Draft Needs for 2019-2020 Season

QB: Could use a future star.

Additions of Joe Flacco and Garrett Grayson (practice squad) establish mediocre to above average play from the position for this year, but what happens next year if both burnout?

RB: Maybe a backup or tendency changer.

Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman, and Devontae Booker are all solid backs, but having one more back to account for injuries or predictability would be worth it.

FB: None

Andy Janovich, nicknamed Manovich by his teammates, is a bruiser blocker and decent receiving back so no reason to change it up.

WR: Need a future star and someone to make an instant impact.

While this is not the biggest need for the Broncos, they need to consider that Emanuel Sanders may be done in Denver after his contract expires this season.

TE: None

An already crowded position needs no more help.

OL: Could use a quick developing guard and center.

OT has been secured with Ja’Waun James, but backups are necessary for guard and center as those positions are thin.

DL: Backup NT and DE needed.

Although Denver runs a 3-4 defense with LB blitzes, having a run-stopping ability is paramount to stopping hard-nosed teams.

Both Shelby Harris and Derek Wolfe could use a quality backup to sub in for them every so often.

OLB: None.

Von Miller and Bradley Chubb should be nicknamed the “no run zone” in honor of the late “no-fly zone” defense in Denver.

ILB: A competitive backup would be ideal.

Josey Jewell has a lot of potential behind Todd Davis, but bringing in another LB who is fast, strong, and a good tackler would cement the LB core.

DB/S: None

LS: Bringing in competition is a good idea since the Broncos seem unsure about Casey Kreiter with only a one year deal.

There are many viable Colorado options at long snapper that the Broncos could pick up.