Broncos 2022 Free Agency Preview: Don’t count out a wide receiver
Feb 10, 2022, 7:10 AM
When the NFL free agency kicks off on March 16, the Broncos figure to be one of the most-active teams in the league. On the heels of a fifth-straight losing season, they have plenty of holes to fill. And with a new head coach coming in, they’ll need to tweak the roster to fit what Nathaniel Hackett wants to do.
Currently, the Broncos are roughly $40 million under the 2022 salary cap, but that number could grow a ton, depending on what George Paton decides to do with high-priced veterans. Mike Purcell, Daesean Hamilton and Sam Martin are just some of the names who could be let go to free up space to sign new faces, with more than $50 million potentially available.
How should the Broncos put all of those dollars to use? In the weeks leading up to the start of free agency, we’ll offer a position-by-position breakdown of the best players projected to be on the open market, as well as analysis of who would be a realistic fit in Denver.
It continues today with a position where the Broncos seem set – wide receiver. Last season, they signed two veterans to extensions. Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton should be in orange and blue for years to come. In addition, they’re heading into the third year with two wideouts they spent premium picks on. Jerry Jeudy was a first-round selection in 2020, while K.J. Hamler went in the second. That quartet figures to be the Broncos main receivers for years to come. But an upgrade, for various reasons, might be in the cards.
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Top Five Available
1. Davante Adams – Arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target is a free agent. Probably. There’s a chance the Packers could franchise tag the five-time Pro Bowl selection, but their cap situation and quarterback drama could make that tricky. If Adams hits the open market, he’ll become the highest-paid wide receiver in the league. He’s coming off a season in which he caught 123 passes for 1,553 yards. That’s just amazing production.
2. Chris Godwin – A late-season knee injury derailed Godwin’s year, while also slowing down the Buccaneers offense heading into the postseason. Depending on the recovery time, it could also impact Godwin’s value on the open market. If he’s healthy, he’s one of the best in the business. In two of the last three seasons, he’s topped 1,000 yards, highlighted by a 1,333-yard campaign in 2019, with Jameis Winston as his quarterback and having to share targets with Mike Evans.
3. Mike Williams – Keenan Allen gets more targets in Los Angeles, but Williams was more productive in 2021. On the season, he hauled in 76 passes for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns, despite being the second option on most plays for Justin Herbert. He’s a big-play threat, possessing the size and speed combination that makes him tough to defend. At 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, Williams is a quarterback’s dream, as he can go up and turn 50/50 balls into big plays. Can he be a No. 1 guy? That’s the only question.
4. Michael Gallup – Gallup is another wide receiver who is recovering from an ACL injury. He missed half of the 2021 campaign, which could hurt his value on the open market. When healthy, he’s a dynamic receiver. Despite playing in an offense where Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb get most of the targets, while Ezekiel Elliott gets a lot of touches too, he’s managed to be productive. His best season came in 2019, when he racked up 1,107 yards and scored six touchdowns. As a No. 2 receiver in an offense, that’s attainable every season.
5. Odell Beckham Jr. – OBJ has rejuvenated his career in Los Angeles. After a meteoric start with the Giants, his star fizzled in New York. It was all but extinguished in Cleveland. Now, he’s back in the limelight, playing a big role on a Super Bowl team. In the NFC Championship Game, Beckham had nine catches for 113 yards. It showed that he can be a move-the-chains receiver, as well as a big-play guy. That’s the kind of versatility that will earn him a big contract in free agency.
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Realistic Options for the Broncos
1. Adams – It seems strange to think that the Broncos would be in the market for the top wide receiver in free agency, but that could very well be the case. It all depends on Aaron Rodgers. If the quarterback comes to Denver and wants to be reunited with his top target, Denver will need to make it happen. Adams is head and shoulders above any of the talented wideouts on the Broncos roster, so it would be an upgrade. It’s an investment worth making.
2. Marques Valdes-Scantling – Speaking of Rodgers, his big-play option in Green Bay is also available. Bringing Valdes-Scantling to the Broncos could also make sense. In 2020, the wideout led the league in yards per reception at a whopping 20.9. That demonstrates his ability to stretch the field. Depending on what happens with K.J. Hamler’s recovery from a knee injury, that could be something that the Broncos offense desperately needs. Denver is in search of a big-play wideout.
3. Braxton Berrios – Berrios is a versatile player who could be a good addition to the Broncos wide receiver room. Essentially, he’d be competing with Diontae Spencer for the wideout / returner role. Quite frankly, he’s the better option. With the Jets, he was a decent part of the passing game, hauling in 46 passes in 2021. That’s light years ahead of Spencer’s production. And he’s a better punt and kick returner, evidenced by the 102-yard TD he posted last season, taking a kickoff to the house.
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OTHER FREE AGENCY PREVIEWS
Quarterbacks – Read
Running Backs – Read
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