Broncos 2022 Free Agency Preview: Playmakers needed on the edge

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 influx of playmakers – edge rusher. A year ago, Denver seemed to be set at this position. They had Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, a dynamic duo on paper. Then, they had Malik Reed as a serviceable backup, with rookie Jonathon Cooper as a player with potential. Fast forward 12 months and the Broncos are as lean at this position as they’ve been in recent memory. Miller was traded to the Rams. Chubb had a 0.0 sack season. And Reed is a restricted free agent. In other words, the cupboard is pretty bare. It’s time for George Paton to go shopping.

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Top Five Available

1. Von Miller – After 10-plus Hall-of-Fame-worthy seasons in Denver, Miller was shipped to the Rams in the middle of the 2021 season. In Los Angeles, he won a second Super Bowl ring. Now, he’s arguably the most-prized free agent in the 2022 class, regardless of position. Miller had a resurgence in L.A. He had 9.0 sacks in his final eight games with the Rams, including 4.0 in the playoffs. He’ll turn 33 in March, but Miller proved that he can still be an elite pass rusher.

2. Chandler Jones – Jones is another player who showed in 2021 that age isn’t slowing him down. He earned his fourth Pro Bowl invite, recording 10.5 sacks on the season. But after six years with the Cardinals, it might be time for the two-time All-Pro to move on. He’s a year younger than Miller, which might make him slightly more valuable on the open market to some teams. But in terms of level of play, the two pass rushers are neck and neck heading into free agency.

3. Jadaveon Clowney – After bouncing around the league for a couple of seasons, with less-than-stellar stops in Seattle and Tennessee, the former No. 1 overall pick finally found his groove again in Cleveland. He had 9.0 sacks and 19 quarterback hits in 14 games, showing the type of dominant pass-rush ability that made him a three-time Pro Bowl selection during his time in Houston. Now, it’s a matter of figuring out if the 29-year-old edge rusher is back or if it was a flash in the pan.

4. Randy Gregory – There’s never been any doubt about Gregory’s ability. It’s been all of the other things, including off-the-field issues, that have slowed down his career. Heading into 2021, the former second-round pick had only started one game in his career. That changed under new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Suddenly, Gregory seemed to be rejuvenated. In 11 starts, he had 6.0 sacks, 17 QB hits and an interception. He demonstrated the big-time pass-rush ability that many projected for him coming out of Nebraska.

5. Melvin Ingram – The numbers aren’t going to dazzle anyone. After recording 1.0 sack in six games with the Steelers, Ingram posted just 1.0 more during his nine regular-season games with the Chiefs. Pretty paltry numbers. But anyone who watched Kansas City during the 2021 campaign knows that their defense did a 180 after the acquisition of the veteran edge rusher. And in the playoffs, he posted another 2.0 sacks, demonstrating the type of explosiveness that made him so dangerous during his nine seasons with the Chargers.

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Realistic Options for the Broncos

1. Haason Reddick – After a breakout season with the Cardinals in 2020, where he posted a career-high 12.5 sacks, Reddick moved to Carolina and proved that it wasn’t a fluke. In his one season with the Panthers, the former first-round pick had 11.0 sacks. He’ll turn 28 in September, so there’s more tread on the tires with Reddick. He has more success in blitz-heavy schemes, which would be a good fit under Ejiro Evero.

2. Harold Landry – During his fourth season in Tennessee, Landry finally burst onto the scene, earning his first Pro Bowl invite on the strength of 12.0-sack season. He’s a perfect fit in a 3-4 defense, as he can rush the passer and drop into coverage. That would make him a good investment for Denver, a team that can afford the projected four-year, $15-million per season asking price.

3. Von Miller – Yes, it’s partially due to sentimentality. That’s hard to deny. Everyone in Broncos Country was sad to see Miller leave. But it’s also a fit for football reasons. The Broncos need an edge rusher and Miller is the best one available. Denver has the money to spend. Miller has connections in the Mile High City. It makes a lot of sense for all involved.

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OTHER FREE AGENCY PREVIEWS – OFFENSE

Quarterbacks – Read

Running Backs – Read

Wide Receivers – Read

Tight Ends – Read

Centers – Read

Guards – Read

Tackles – Read

OTHER FREE AGENCY PREVIEWS – OFFENSE

Defensive Line – Read

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