Free agency moves that could impact the Broncos plans
Mar 10, 2020, 6:42 AM
The NFL machine never stops humming. Sure, the “legal tampering” period for free agency is still about a week away, but we are hearing more and more about moves and potential moves that could be on the horizon.
The Broncos are going to be active in the first wave of free agency. They’ll be spending quite a bit of money next week as they craft their roster for the 2020 season.
Expect most of the moves they do in free agency to be on the defensive side of the ball, but nothing is set in stone. There are other teams out there making moves or potential moves that could cause the Broncos to alter their plans.
Here are some of the most recent free agency moves that could impact what the Broncos do.
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Reunited and It Feels So Good
The Bills signed cornerback Josh Norman to a one-year, $6 million contract with incentives that could make it worth $8 million. Bills head coach Sean McDermott and Norman had worked together previously when the two were with the Panthers. While Norman has a bit of a reputation, McDermott has the experience needed to handle the veteran cornerback.
That deal for Norman could be a blueprint for the Broncos when it comes to reuniting another coach with a cornerback.
Prince Amukamara and Broncos head coach Vic Fangio worked together with the Bears. While the Broncos traded for A.J. Bouye last week, they need to still add another cornerback and that could be Amukamara. He does not have a reputation like Norman, but is an older corner who isn’t quite what he used to be.
Amukamara is far from washed up and could be a nice addition for the Broncos and he should get the stamp of approval from Fangio. With Bouye and Amukamara as the top two corners, it would allow Bryce Callahan to play in his more natural slot position. It also would mean the door is officially shut on bringing Chris Harris Jr. back, but that writing has been on the wall for quite some time.
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Freeing Up Phillips
Speaking of the Bills, I have heard that they could be interested in free agent defensive lineman D.J. Reader. We already know the Broncos have interest in Reader and he could be in line for a new contract that pays him $11-13 million annually. In fact, Reader could be the splashy move the Broncos make in the first wave of free agency – unless a team like the Bills pay him more.
If the Bills were to do that, it clearly would free up their own free agent defensive tackle in Jordan Phillips.
Reader is more than a two-down run-stuffing nose tackle and people around the Texans that I talk to believe he has the potential to be much more. He’s known as a good guy, a good teammate and a hard-working player with a goal to be the best. I like what I’ve seen from Reader and what I’ve heard from those around him.
That being said, I like the idea of the Broncos adding Phillips more.
It’s all about getting after the quarterback without sending five or more defenders and Phillips could help the Broncos do that. The 27-year-old veteran is coming off a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2019 and is in the prime of his career.
The Broncos play in the AFC West with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs. They need to be able to get after Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes without sending exotic blitzes that he can beat with his arm or his legs. Phillips would give you a penetrating presence up front on the defensive line to go with edge guys like Bradley Chubb and Von Miller.
While Reader may be among the highest-paid defensive linemen this offseason, Phillips might come with a little better price tag. Either one would be a great addition for the Broncos defense in my opinion.
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Worth the Price
Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams is looking for a contract extension from any team that ends up trading for him. He’s asked to be put on the trade block and the team has obliged. It is likely to be a second-round pick that gets the deal done and we’ll see where Williams is playing at in 2020.
Williams is seeking a contract extension that will pay him $20 million per year, according to ESPN’s John Keim. He is signed for the 2020 season at $12.5 million. That’s a big raise coming for the veteran offensive tackle even though he didn’t play a snap in 2019. In fact, Williams hasn’t played a full season since 2013, so a team is taking a bit of a chance.
Williams is worth that chance and that price.
The Jets and the Browns are considered the teams most interested in Williams. The Broncos should be in that market, but they may like their tackles more than some think (and some fans would want).
They’ll need to make a decision on Garett Bolles’ fifth-year option in early May, and the answer may instead by extending him by a couple of years at a reduced price instead of picking up the option. Ja’Wuan James barely played in 2019, but he’s a talented player and solid starter when healthy. Denver is hoping that he can show off that talent as a regular starter in 2020.
I’d like the Broncos to go after Williams, but they may not be interested in the price tag to get him and then the price tag to extend him.
