The Denver Broncos actively have 30 free agents, here are my expectations on how a team with $48 million in cap space, the 10th-most in the NFL, will navigate this free agent list and who could potentially test the market and become Broncos for the 2022 season. This will be a follow-up piece to my previous article about George Paton’s 2022 GM responsibilities and decisions.

Below is the table view of the Broncos Free Agents, their Free Agent type (ERFA, RFA, UFA) and if I believe they will be on the roster, practice squad or leaving the Broncos for the 2022 season. The players bolded will be discussed further below, as some of the folks marked as “Leaving” were major contributors and have been staples of the Broncos since the Fangio Era.

Diontae Spencer

Special Teamer, he was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2019 and at times has been electric. I think he is leaving for sure though. He was never a serious threat as receiver and someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe he ever took a kickoff or punt all the way back for a touchdown? He will be gone, especially since Tom McMahon the special teams coordinator is finally out of Denver.

Malik Reed

This one feels bad because he’s a 26-year old undrafted free agent that made his name known in Denver. When he first made the Broncos team he had a nickname Malik “dream killer” Reed ordained by Von Miller himself. There were high expectations but the reality of the situation is that he’s been a starter or a major contributor in Denver for three seasons and this year in 14 games he recorded only five sacks in 67.8% of the teams snaps. I believe that he will go get a good salary from a team looking for either a rotational pass rusher or a bad team will pay him a lot of money to be a starter. I just hope the Broncos aren’t that bad team. He stands out occasionally and he disappears occasionally, when you’re opposite Von Miller or Bradley Chubb, the expectation is that while they soak the pressure you’re making the plays and that just wasn’t the case often enough in my mind.

Teddy Bridgewater

This one seems obvious to everyone. Good leader, likeable guy, good story, seems like a good locker room guy… but the reality is that he’s a very limited QB, injury prone, boring QB who became newsworthy in the middle of the season when it was reported he wanted $20-25 million per season from his next contract. He’s not getting that money from Denver and I hope the best on the way out.

Kyle Fuller

He was bad in Denver, brought in as one of those CBs that was a Vic Fangio guy from Chicago. He was immediately beaten out by Patrick Surtain II, when he got to play because of injury or covid, he was constantly trailing and being beat over the top. He is likely gone, any long term deal for this player should not come from Denver for a 30 year old mediocre depth cornerback.

Melvin Gordon

Melvin seemed to be echoing the writing on the wall saying he wanted to stay in Denver but that he didn’t believe that was going to be the case. I felt sad when he went on the record saying that he feels like Denver fans didn’t like him, because his price tag, ex-Chargers player, and the fact that the team was losing around him despite his play and effort. He had some great games, some big blunders, but overall he played as to be expected for a high cost free agent acquisition. Melvin served as a good locker room guy, a good leader, and a good mentor to Javonte Williams. Will be sad to see him go, unless him and his agent are willing to take a smaller contract to keep the two-headed monster in the Denver backfield.

Bryce Callahan

Bryce is a good player, the unfortunate reality is that he was a high priced free agent acquisition as another Vic Fangio guy from Chicago, who played in 10 and 11 games respectively in his two seasons in Denver. He is a 31-year old slot corner that I believe is still capable and talented, but he will not get the money he likely wants from Denver to be the starting slot corner who plays in only 60% of the games. If he comes back, my guess is that he takes a good team friendly contract, which is becoming more and more rare in the NFL.

Kareem Jackson

He was already let go after last season and brought on later in free agency on a better contract. He lead the team in tackles in 2021 with 88, second place was Justin Simmons with 80. Jackson had a single interception and one sack. He’s a good player, he has been a great Denver Bronco, but with Caden Sterns playing on a rookie contract and making big impact plays this season, KJax likely doesn’t suit up for Denver in 2022.

Alexander Johnson

The Broncos took a chance on Alexander Johnson as a big time player who had a serious legal situation coming out of college that was resolved. He came in and was instantly a big hitting inside linebacker that anchored our defense for a few seasons. Unfortunately he suffered a torn bicep this season, missing the final 11 games of the season. He’s a 31-year old who overperformed on his entry level contract and will likely be trying to get paid and make up for lost time and money. My expectation is that Denver will not be the team that pays him especially with Kenny Young, Josey Jewell, and Jonas Griffith all being younger and potentially cheaper options.

Bobby Massie

Came in to Denver as another on of the Vic Fangio Chicago guys, with the tough task of anchoring the Broncos Right Tackle position that’s been a revolving door for seemingly 10 years. though he was a stable player and played some really good football in Denver, he’s 33-years old and an Unrestricted Free Agent, meaning he will get more money than he’s worth in his next deal and will likely be looking for a contender.

Players to Return

Jonas Griffith showed out the last few games of the season making big plays all over the field and often in the backfield. My guess as an Exclusive Rights Free Agent he will be brought in to push for starting minutes and if not secured, will be a major special teams and depth player

Calvin Anderson played in a few games this season and looked incredible. He is an absolute mountain of a human being that’s been being developed by the Broncos for years now. If he’s simply a swing tackle or depth tackle, that is fine by me. He still is only 26-years old and has incredible upside. Would not be shocked if he makes a push to be the starting right tackle if he can make that transition that would be best for his roster position with Bobby Massie and Cam Flemming both likely leaving in FA.

DeShawn Williams will be back because Denver was the first roster he made as a professional football player. My guess is he feels grateful and loyal to the Broncos for the opportunity and will be back on a decent contract to continue his development.

Graham Glasgow already restructured his contract and will be back in 2022

Stephen Weatherly was seemingly our best pass rusher at times though he wasn’t a starter. He is also a George Paton guy from Minnesota that I believe will be back on a relatively cheap contract.

Josey Jewell was prepped and primed for a giant season in 2021, on a contract year, before tearing his bicep after only playing two games. At 28-years old, as a Broncos draft pick, I have a feeling he comes to terms with a fair contract for a younger player hitting his prime. This could however, also be a cap casualty with Baron Browning and Jonas Griffith playing so well while he was injured.

Kenny Young was a mid-season acquisition from the Los Angeles Rams, who came in and played tough nosed football immediately making a positive impact on the Broncos defense. At 28-years old and after spending draft capital to acquire him, I imagine a deal is done to bring him back to help lead the linebacker core.

Conclusion

The Broncos have a ton of hard decisions to make about players that are excellent people and talented football players, but the contract, timelines or logjams of talent will keep some players off the 2022 roster. Some of the guys that we will bring back will be rewarded with contracts that will likely be bigger than they would receive if they weren’t unrestricted free agents, but that is how free agency works and that is the cost of retaining talent. George Paton is neck deep in head coaching interviews, immediately after someone is hired, we should see the Denver Broncos sold to new owners which will be incredibly beneficial for the team in the long run. After coach and ownership are sorted out, in-house free agents are likely the next step. look for a future article about the free agents from other teams the Broncos could target to fill gaps.

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

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