Broncos 2020 Free Agency Preview: Inside Linebackers
Mar 3, 2020, 6:49 AM
When the NFL free agency kicks off on March 18, the Broncos figure to be very active. For one, they have a lot of holes to fill, so there are plenty of reasons for John Elway to go shopping. But in addition, Denver’s general manager will have a lot of money to spend.
Currently, the Broncos are $58 million under the 2020 salary cap, but that number could grow to as high as $76 million once Ron Leary and Joe Flacco come off the books as expected. And if Elway really wants to get crazy, he can free up nearly $9 million in additional cap space by parting ways with Todd Davis and Jeff Heuerman.
How should the Broncos put all of those dollars to use? In the weeks leading up to the start of free agency, we’ll offer a position-by-position breakdown of the best players projected to be on the open market, as well as analysis of who would be a realistic fit in Denver.
It continues today with a position where the Broncos could use an upgrade – inside linebacker. Last year’s day one starters, Todd Davis and Josey Jewell, are set to return in 2020, but they’re far from assured to be in the starting lineup. In fact, Jewell has already been replaced, as A.J. Johnson was in the middle of Denver’s defense during the second half of last season in place of Jewell. Something similar could happen to Davis, who could also be a salary-cap casualty. So there are plenty of opportunities at inside linebacker for the Broncos. These free agents would certain be a good fit.
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Top Five Available
1. Blake Martinez – The last three seasons, Martinez has been as good in the middle of a defense as anyone in football. He’s posted 144, 144 and 155 tackles, while starting all 48 games during that time for the Packers. That kind of production and durability makes him a great option to quarterback a defense. The only downside is that type of play is going to result in a mega-contract, as Martinez will probably draw the biggest offers of any inside linebacker on the open market, perhaps topping $15 million per year.
2. Cory Littleton – In each of the last two seasons, when he’s been a full-time starter for the Rams, Littleton has been a very effective linebacker. He’s averaged 129.5 tackles during that time, while also racking up 7.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss. All of those numbers suggest that he has a nose for the football and has an ability to be disruptive in the backfield. Littleton won’t turn 27 until November, so he’s only scratching the surface of his potential. The Pro Bowl campaign he had in 2018 is a sign of what’s possible.
3. Joe Schobert – In 2017, Schobert led the NFL in tackles, racking up a whopping 144 during his only Pro Bowl season to date. While the past two seasons haven’t been quite as good, the former fourth-round pick has still been productive, topping the 100-tackle mark in both 2018 and ’19. And last season, he added a new skill to his repertoire, picking off four passes for the Browns defense. He’s good against the run, can cover and is an effective pass rusher when called upon, making him a valuable and versatile player.
4. Patrick Onwuasor – During his four seasons in Baltimore, Onwuasor has been good, but not great. In part, that’s because he’s never been the Ravens full-time starter. Last season, he only started six games, appearing in 14. But when he’s on the field, he’s a very effective player. He’s a solid tackler, evidenced by his 90 solo tackles in 2017. He can rush the passer, shown by the 5.5 sacks and 12 QB hits in ’18. And he can cover when called upon, although it’s not his strong suit.
5. Danny Trevathan – During the four seasons he’s been in Chicago, Trevathan’s biggest problem has been staying healthy. Since leaving the Broncos after Super Bowl 50, he’s only played one full season, missing significant chunks of the other three with various ailments. But when he’s on the field, Trevathan can still bring a lot of the same things he did to Denver’s championship defense. He’s a sideline-to-sideline player who plays right on the edge, traits that are invaluable in the middle.
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Realistic Options for the Broncos
1. Nick Kwiatkowski – During his four seasons with the Bears, Kwiatkowski has primarily been a backup. In 2019, however, he was able to step in and start during the second half of the year, filling in for Danny Trevathan. That stint allowed him to show what he’s capable of, as he posted 76 tackles, 3.0 sacks and an interception. That combination of numbers shows that he’s capable of playing all over the field, against the run and pass. And given his lack of playing time, he’s probably going to be a value option on the open market.
2. Kamalei Correa – After being a second-round pick by the Ravens in 2016, Correa never found a home in Baltimore. Two disappointing seasons, in which he only started four games and tallied just 19 total tackles, led to him being jettisoned to Tennessee. With the Titans, he’s been able to resurrect his career a bit. While still not a full-time starter, Correa was on the field more, and it showed. In 2019, he had 37 tackles and 5.0 sacks; that’s a sign of what he can do when given a chance.
3. Vontaze Burfict – Does a team want to make a deal with the devil? That might sound harsh, but that’s pretty much what they’d be doing with Burfict, the talented-but-oft-troubled linebacker. Last season, Burfict was suspended for the final 12 games of the year after a hit on a defenseless player. It was just his latest run-in with the league for playing the game at or over the edge. Now reinstated, he’s available for anyone will to take the risk.
