Broncos Free Agent Targets

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Who should the Denver Broncos target in the 2022 off-season in terms of high priced free agents? The Broncos have nearly nailed down their coaching staff under Nathaniel Hackett, the 2021 Season is completely over following the Super Bowl, the team is actively for-sale and being bid on, and the 2022 NFL off-season has officially begun.

In previous articles I’ve covered the Broncos Off-Season Game Plan laying out all the different tasks that Hackett and Paton have to nail down before the start of the season. The Broncos In House Free Agents and how I expect Paton to handle players returning and leaving. Based on educated guesses on in-house free-agency, there were some pretty glaring Expected Roster Holes that will be addressed via Free Agency first, and then through the draft come the end of April.

Given that doing any mock drafts in the NFL deeper than the second or third round are not exactly a great use of time, I covered both the Non QB Draft Picks that could be the Broncos selection at pick number nine as well as the potential QB Draft Picks that would be available when the Broncos were on the clock. Both of those articles were dependent on the Broncos still having their 1st round selection and not trading it for Aaron Rodgers.

All of that catches us up to the point of this article, which few players from free agency are we expecting to actually hit the market (not being tagged) and could fill in some of the Broncos roster holes and improve the team to playoff level of on-field product? March 16th at 2pm, the league will be engulfed in the Free Agency open-market whirlwind, and a few new faces will be coming to Denver for a high price tag, who could they be?

Potential Targets

Haason Reddick – 27 years old, past first round pick Inside Linebacker converted to pass rusher. This guy has put together back to back double digit sack seasons and could be the opposite pass rush compliment to Bradley Chubb. He is seeking to get paid, and his play is deserving of the pay day. If the Broncos can’t return Von Miller and are looking to upgrade the pass rush with a young, talented, blue-chip free agent, Reddick could be the guy

Vernon Butler – 27 years old, past first round pick at Defensive Tackle for the Buffalo Bills, one of the best defensive lines in the NFL the last few seasons. Since Butler wasn’t the starter and his numbers are reflecting this, he wont fetch as high a price as other Free Agents in the prime of their careers. The Bills selected Ed Oliver 9th overall in 2019, Butler has been splitting time at the same position for the last two seasons, and will almost certainly be on the move.

Kevin King – 27 year old, past first round pick at cornerback, used to play for the Packers and could have ties to Hackett. With Callahan, Fuller and both likely departing in free agency, this is an opportunity for Hackett to bring in one of his own guys from Green Bay, the same way that Vic Fangio did with past Chicago guys.

Larry Ogunjobi – 28 years old, Defensive Tackle for the Bengals, coming off a Super Bowl appearance and a monster season. Ogunjobi has only missed four games in the last five seasons. He put up seven sacks from the interior for the Bengals this past season, while playing only 2/3 of the defensive snaps.

Germain Ifedi – Sticking to the theme he’s 27 years old, past first round pick, coming off a knee injury in October so his price tag could be smaller than other starting RT caliber players. We get a talented run blocker to pair with either Quinn Mienerz or Netane Muti to bulldoze opposing defensive lines for Javonte Williams. This free agency period is really light on right tackles, and he was the only one still in his 20s. If the Broncos do draft at pick number nine, or even in the second round, RT should probably be the priority.

2022 Pre-Season Checklist

[X] Hire Head Coach

[X] Hire coaching staff

[In-Progress] Sell the team to new Ownership

[In-Progress] In-House free agent decisions

[] Quarterback decision (Quarterback Draft Picks, Free Agent QBs)

[] Free agent season opens March 16th at 2pm MT

[] NFL Draft (April 28th, 2022)

[] Training Camp + Pre-season

[] 53-man roster cuts and practice squad

About Post Author

Aaron Hubert

Major Colorado sports fan who was once, for an entire year, a paid writer covering the entire Colorado sports scene. I grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, a huge fan of all the professional sports Colorado had to offer. I played Football and Basketball in High School. I attended Colorado State University for undergrad, earning my degree in Business with a concentration in Computer Information Systems. I work as a professional Product Manager in the software development space for Fanatics.com the sports apparel company. I am a Fantasy Football and Fantasy Hockey participant, not sure if that will ever be worked into these writings, but keeping my option open! I really enjoy the process of being a huge fan of sports, being a passionate Colorado sports advocate, and using social media and writing to express my beliefs and opinions about sports.

aaronh92@hotmail.com

http://www.centennial-sports.com