The Denver Broncos enter the 2021 NFL offseason after a bit of an up and down season that saw the team finish with a 5-11 win loss record in 2020. The Broncos have a lot of internal questions they need to answer before they go signing free agents, but if the team makes the right moves they could be in good shape to contend in 2021.
Denver is currently set to enter the free agent market with around $27 million in cap space available for them to utilize. The team has some solid young pieces they can build around, but they also have some questions they need to answer, such as the future of Drew Lock.
While the organization seems split as far as Drew Lock is concerned, they are not torn on their young guys like tight end Noah Fant, offensive tackle Garrett Bolles, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, and wide receiver Courtland Sutton. The organization has some solid potential to build around and could look to use their money wisely this offseason.
The Broncos have some good pieces on their team already who will help them succeed in 2021, but they will need the help of some guys on the outside as well.
Here’s a look at four players the Broncos could pursue this offseason in free agency.
Jacoby Brissett, Quarterback, Colts
Jacoby Brissett is a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, but he will likely be leaving the team this offseason in hopes of competing for a starting gig with a new team. The Broncos are unsure of their future at the quarterback position and bringing in a guy like Jacoby Brissett could create a healthy competition at the position in Denver.
Brissett, 28, has spent most of his career as a backup to guys like Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, and Philip Rivers, but he could look to compete for a starting job in Denver against Lock. Brissett has completed 59.6 percent of his passes in his career for 6,459 passing yards and a touchdown to interception ratio of 31:13.
He is a solid quarterback and due to his time as a backup he likely won’t cost the Broncos too much. If Denver is looking for a veteran signal caller to compete with Lock for the starting gig, they should look no further than Brissett.
Marcus Williams, Safety, Saints
New Orleans Saints free safety Marcus Williams is set to hit the free agent market following a four-year stint with the Saints. Williams was a ball hawk for the Saints and considering he will be a cheaper free agent signing than their own Justin Simmons, the Broncos could opt to take Williams instead.
Williams was up and down during his tenure in New Orleans, but he really stepped up in 2020. He is known for missing the tackle on Stefon Diggs that led to a Vikings walk off win back in 2017, but has really improved overall as a player.
At 24, Williams logged 246 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 30 passes defended, 13 interceptions, and one defensive touchdown during his career with the Saints and could bring some juice to the free safety position for the Broncos as well. The Saints don’t have the cap space to be able to re-sign Williams and the Broncos aren’t going to be able to match a lucrative offer for Simmons this offseason either.
Williams signing with the Broncos makes a lot of sense and could benefit both parties involved.
Mark Ingram, Running Back, Ravens
The Broncos will likely be in the market to sign a veteran free agent at the running back position due to the likely departure of Phillip Lindsay this offseason. Lindsay, who was the starting running back and a Pro Bowler before the team signed Melvin Gordon, will likely be looking to take his talents elsewhere due to his capabilities as a starting running back at the NFL level.
One veteran running back who would come in and be a great team player would be free agent Mark Ingram. Ingram, 31, was released by the Ravens after a brief two-year stint with the team due to the Ravens having a lot of depth at the position. Ingram is still a very good running back and in fact he made the Pro Bowl in 2019 with the Ravens after rushing for 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Ingram would be a great teammate for Gordon to have and his energy would radiate through the entire locker room. Ingram was a healthy scratch for a lot of Ravens’ games this past season, so it kept a lot more tread on his tires. If the Broncos want to add a solid, cheaper veteran to keep Gordon fresh, Ingram could be a great addition.
Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, Buccaneers
The Broncos really need to invest in a player on the defensive line that can clog running lanes and Ndamukong Suh is a guy who can do just that. Suh, 34, has been one of the most consistent defensive tackles in the NFL over the past 11 years and could find himself with the Broncos this offseason.
Denver used to have one of the most intimidating defenses in the NFL when Von Miller was healthy and they had some of the best talent in the league at every position. Nowadays, the Broncos are aging and are banged up and could use some fresh talent on their defense. Bringing in a veteran like Suh could help their front four on the defensive line and provide some leadership where the team needs it most.
Suh, who currently plays for the Buccaneers, had another productive season in 2020. Suh logged 44 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, 19 quarterback hits, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and six sacks while helping the Bucs reach the Super Bowl.
If the Broncos are looking for a reliable defensive tackle to mold their unit around, Suh could be their guy.
