Broncos 2022 Free Agency Preview: An upgrade needed on the d-line
Feb 23, 2022, 7:11 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 need an upgrade – defensive line. Last year, Denver played a 3-4 defense. New coordinator Ejiro Evero suggested on Tuesday that this will be their base formation again in 2022. That means the Broncos need three impactful players in the trenches, to free up edge rushers and linebackers. Do they currently have them? Shelby Harris is a nice player, but he shouldn’t be among the most-effective rushers in any team’s front seven. He led the Broncos in sacks last season with 6.0. Dre’Mont Jones has shown promise, but he’s not a consistent, week-to-week player. And Mike Purcell is just a guy; he’s a decent player, but nothing that keeps opposing offensive coordinators awake at night. Thus, the Broncos need some help. In a big way.
***
Top Five Available
1. B.J. Hill – During his first three seasons in the NFL, Hill struggled to find a foothold. He didn’t have a secure place in the Giants defense. That changed this year, as he blossomed with the Bengals. Not only did he record 5.5 sacks, but he also had six tackles for a loss. He was a constant presence in the opposing team’s backfield, causing havoc along the middle of the line. That kind of disruptive force is valuable. And at just 27 years old heading into next season, Hill has room to improve.
2. D.J. Jones – At 305 pounds, Jones is the classic immovable object in the middle of the defensive line. He’s primarily a run stuffer, evidenced by his 56 tackles, 10 for a loss, in 2021. But he can get after the quarterback. In the past three seasons, he’s totaled 7.0 sacks. That’s not a huge number, but it’s effective for someone who lines up over the center and guard and rushes a lot through the A gap. At 27 years old, Jones also has plenty of room to grow.
3. Folorunso Fatukasi – Fatusaki’s stat sheet is never going to dazzle anyone. During his four seasons with the Jets, he’s racked up just 3.0 sacks. But pressuring the quarterback isn’t his forte. Stuffing the run is, however. In the last three seasons, Fatusaki has had 18 tackles for loss. In other words, he’s in the backfield making plays against the run. He’s a classic interior defensive lineman, effective when lined up against either guard or the center.
4. Akiem Hicks – Hicks has been a mainstay in Chicago for the past six seasons. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented him from reaching his potential during the second half of that tenure. From 2016-18, the defensive lineman recorded 23.0 sacks. He was a force in the trenches. Since then, however, he’s only posted 8.0 sacks in 29 games. That’s a trend that has to turn around. In part, that’ll happen if he’s used right. Hicks is a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme, not a nose tackle.
5. Calais Campbell – Campbell will turn 36 just before the 2022 season starts, so he doesn’t have a lot of productive years left. But as a short-term fix, the Denver South graduate can help a lot of teams. He’s effective against the run, can play anywhere along the defensive line and has the ability to get after the quarterback. While the days of posting 14.5 sacks in a season like he did with the Jaguars in 2017 are probably in the rearview mirror, Campbell can still play.
***
Realistic Options for the Broncos
1. D.J. Jones – Pro Football Focus projects that Jones will garner a three-year contract on the open market, one worth just under $9 million per season. That’s essentially Shelby Harris money. That’d be a good investment by the Broncos, as it would provide another effective player to rotate with Harris and Dre’Mont Jones, while solving the position for multiple seasons.
2. Sebastian Joseph-Day – Ejiro Evero knows Joseph-Day well, so he might want to raid the Rams defense for young, talented players. In just seven games this season, Joseph-Day recorded 38 tackles, three for a loss, and 3.0 sacks. That’s very solid production. The Broncos know he can thrive in the Evero defense, so inking him to a three-year deal wouldn’t be much of a gamble.
3. Sheldon Richardson – Everyone thinks they can get more out of the former first-round pick. That’s why he’s bounced around after starting his career with the Jets. But he’s had some success in those stops, including last season with the Vikings. Richardson will turn 32 in November, but he can still play. He’s a rare interior defensive lineman who is good against the run and can be a force in the pass rush, as well.
***
OTHER FREE AGENCY PREVIEWS
Quarterbacks – Read
Running Backs – Read
Wide Receivers – Read
Tight Ends – Read
Centers – Read
Guards – Read
Tackles – Read
***
