Broncos 2022 Free Agency Preview: Do the Broncos need a new anchor?
Feb 16, 2022, 7:17 AM | Updated: 7:34 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 could upgrade – center. During his first two seasons, Lloyd Cushenberry has been up and down as the anchor of the offensive line. He hasn’t been terrible, by any means. But he also hasn’t looked like a long-term answer. Denver has other options. They could move Quinn Meinerz into the middle, but he’s even less experienced than Cushenberry. They could also put Graham Glasgow in that spot, as the veteran played center in Detroit. But none of those options seem like a rock-solid fix. They’re band-aids. If the Broncos want an upgrade, free agency might have to be their route.
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Top Five Available
1. Ryan Jensen – The CSU-Pueblo product figures to cash in this offseason, with a contract of $10 million per season likely on the table. After four years in Baltimore and the same time in Tampa Bay, Jensen has blossomed in his early 30s. This past season, he was named to his first Pro Bowl, anchoring a Buccaneers offensive line that was solid all season. Jensen is also durable. He hasn’t missed a game since 2016, an invaluable trait in the middle of the o-line.
2. Ben Jones – Jones is another reliable veteran. After moving from guard to center during his final season with the Texans, he’s missed just one game in the last seven years. The past six, he’s been in Tennessee, where’s he’s recently been a part of an offensive line that has opened holes for one of the league’s best running games. The former fourth-round pick out of Georgia shows no signs of slowing down. He’d be a great three- to four-year solution for any team.
3. Brian Allen – Allen just started for the Rams in Super Bowl LVI, so his timing is good. Everyone will be wanting to tap into the championship mojo, whether it’s raiding the coaching staff or the roster in Los Angeles. Injuries are the main concern with Allen. He’s suffered through elbow and knee problems in recent seasons, although he did play 16 games for the Rams in 2021. Allen will turn 27 in October, so he’s younger than some of the other options, plus he’s only played in 38 career games. There’s less wear and tear on the tires.
4. Matt Paradis – Paradis is another solid, steady option in the middle. During his seven seasons in the NFL – four with the Broncos and three with the Panthers – he’s appeared in 98 games, starting all 98. It hasn’t been flashy, as the long-time center hasn’t made a Pro Bowl during his career, but it’s been consistent. He’s a smart, athletic player who does a good job of commanding things from the middle of the offensive line. He’s played in run-first and pass-happy offenses, so the soon-to-be 33 year old is versatile.
5. Bradley Bozeman – The former sixth-round pick out of Alabama spent his first three seasons in the NFL playing guard. This past season, the Ravens moved him to the middle, where he played well. That gives him something to build upon. Bozeman won’t turn 28 until November, so he’s among the youngest free agents on the market. And given his lack of playing time, he still has the opportunity to improve. The long-time veterans are what they are; Bozeman still has plenty of upside.
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Realistic Options for the Broncos
1. Paradis – Perhaps it’s nostalgia, but bringing Paradis back to Denver makes a lot of sense. The team has struggled to replace him since letting him walk via free agency after the 2018 season. So turning back the clock to a player who started for the Broncos in Super Bowl 50 feels like a solid move.
2. Ted Karras – Karras spent four seasons in New England, moved on to Miami and then returned to the Patriots last year. If Bill Belichick and company felt like he was worth bringing back, that says something. Plus, he’s a versatile player who can move around the offensive line. As the Broncos play musical chairs with Cushenberry, Glasgow and Meinerz, having another player in that mix could be a good thing.
3. Jason Kelce – Kelce will turn 35 in November, but he’s coming off his fourth All-Pro season in the last five years. The long-time Eagles standout is showing no signs of slowing down. Bringing him to Denver, however, only makes sense if the team is making a championship push. In other words, they swing a deal for Aaron Rodgers, are in “win now” mode and want to make sure they protect their newly acquired QB.
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OTHER FREE AGENCY PREVIEWS
Quarterbacks – Read
Running Backs – Read
Wide Receivers – Read
Tight Ends – Read
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