Broncos Focus on Free Agency: Ryan Edwards

Broncos Focus on Free Agency

Ryan Edwards

Tuesday morning, the day following Peyton Manning’s retirement press conference, the Broncos were very busy positioning themselves to be players in NFL Free Agency beginning Wednesday, March 9th at 2pm MTN. The ability to utilize Manning’s $19 million in cap space is absolutely helpful, but the expectation is the future quarterback’s salary will gobble up quite a bit of it. Today, the Broncos made a few moves releasing veteran TE Owen Daniels, G Louis Vasquez and Long Snapper Aaron Brewer. Daniels had two years remaining on his contract but cleared $2.5 million in cap space. Vasquez had one year remaining on his contract and cleared $5.5 million in cap space. Aaron Brewer cleared $430,000. Ultimately, this morning’s moves added $8.43 million for the Broncos to work with to bring the total to $16.651 million in cap room (via Spotrac).

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Free agency became a little clearer for a couple of the Broncos players that were testing the market themselves. Everything becomes official on Wednesday, but DE Malik Jackson will sign a 6 year, $90 million contract ($42 million guaranteed) with the Jacksonville Jaguars. LB Danny Trevathan is expected to sign a multi-year contract with John Fox and the Bears. Brock Osweiler is being courted by the Texans and the Broncos may find themselves in a bidding war quickly. According to our 9 News Broncos Insider Mike Klis, the Broncos are currently offering Osweiler a 3-year contract worth $45 million but expectations are they  may need to throw more money at him to stay. The Texans and Broncos both seem poised to make a playoff run again next year, so if Brock wants more money than what is comfortable for John Elway, the Broncos may have to bow out.

Of course, there are still more moves to be made with the current roster before we talk about pursuing free agents outside of the organization. The expectation continues to be some kind of restructure of OLB Demarcus Ware and OT Ryan Clady. Ware’s cap hit is $11.6 million and Clady’s is $10.1 million. Both players will likely come down from that mark or be released from the team.

Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

So, let’s get to the direction the Broncos may go in free agency beginning Wednesday afternoon. As expected, a lot of what they do hinges on whether Brock Osweiler is locked in as the starting QB or not. If the Texans succeed in the bidding war for Brock, the Broncos will be forced to pivot and look deep into the Free Agent QB’s available. This market, as has been the subject of talk radio fodder for quite some time, looks to be Robert Griffen III, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Chase Daniel and perhaps Colin Kaepernick if the right trade could be made with the 49ers. After those names, the “pool of candidates” becomes increasingly shallow. (Hey, I guess we haven’t spent a lot of time talking about reuniting Matt Schaub and Gary Kubiak, right?) Expect the Broncos to be aggressive in their pursuit of Brock but only willing to meet him a bit higher than their current offer. The guaranteed money is everything here and if Elway is serious about retaining Osweiler, this is where he will need to remain competitive with Houston.

Let’s say the Broncos win the bidding war for Brock and the city of Denver rejoices because NOW they have the Broncos franchise quarterback for the next decade! (Well, something like that anyway.) What will the Broncos target now? The Top 5 priorities for the Broncos are: 1) Offensive line, 2) Defensive line , 3) Inside Linebacker, 4) Tight End, 5) Running Back.

With the release of Louis Vasquez, the Broncos will bring in at least one or more veteran offensive linemen. According to Terez Paylor with the KC Star, OT Donald Stephenson is expected to sign with the Broncos tomorrow.

Former #Chiefs OT Donald Stephenson is planning to sign with the Denver Broncos tomorrow, a source tells me.

— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) March 9, 2016

Stephenson is a former 3rd round pick by the Chiefs in 2012 from Oklahoma who had 21 starts in his 4 years with Kansas City. This is likely a depth add to the roster. Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole further speculates the Broncos will make a run at RT Bobbie Massie.

With DL Malik Jackson headed to #Jaguars, expect #Broncos to make a serious run at #Cardinals RT Bobby Massie.

— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) March 8, 2016

Whether the Broncos can find a starter in free agency or not, they need depth. This position group will also be addressed in the draft and most likely, in the Broncos’ first three picks.

Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

With Malik Jackson signing with the Jaguars, will the Broncos pursue defensive line help? If they do, it won’t be a splashy name. On February 22nd, the Broncos signed former Browns 1st round pick DT Phil Taylor. With Derek Wolfe, Kenny Anunike, Darius Kilgo, Vance Walker, Sylvester Williams and possibly Antonio Smith returning, the Broncos seem to be deep enough at the position with the addition of draft picks to round out the group. The team remains very deep at pass rushers even if Ware’s contract can’t be restructured and he is released.

In regards to inside linebacker, Todd Davis will get the first crack at Danny Trevathan’s (expected to be) vacated starting role. Any moves at this position will more than likely be in the draft or depth adds via free agency.

The Broncos will expect TE Jeff Heurman to step up this year after tearing his ACL during rookie camp last year but if an opportunity to add an experienced TE during free agency arises, Denver should take it. Ideally, it would be amazing to make a trade with the Bears for Martellus Bennett but if the Broncos are looking to UFA’s, Ladarius Green could be interesting. During his time with San Diego playing second fiddle to Antonio Gates, he had 77 catches, 1087 yards and 7 TDs. He could be a nice addition if the Broncos are in the market for a TE.

The Broncos may be in need of a running back IF both Ronnie Hillman (UFA) and CJ Anderson (RFA) leave. Behind them on the depth chart are Juwan Thompson and Kapri Bibbs. Denver will likely draft a RB but the addition of an experienced back would be a wise choice if both Hillman and Anderson are gone. (Hey, Arian Foster is available!)

This season, the Broncos will need to be more effective in the draft to fill holes in this roster rather than free agency due to salary cap restrictions. Once the quarterback position is solved, the remainder of the Broncos moves will be most likely for depth rather than bringing in starting caliber talent. It will also be interesting to see how many of their own free agents they can retain. One of the most exciting parts of the NFL Offseason begins tomorrow!