Broncos 2022 Free Agency Preview: Is finally time to address ILB?

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 have needed an upgrade since Super Bowl 50 – inside linebacker. Last season, Denver entered the year with Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell as their starters. When both were lost to pec injuries, Baron Browning and Kenny Young were called upon. They both played well, but neither appeared to be a star. With Johnson, Jewell and Young all free agents, the Broncos have some decisions to make. Do they run it back with last year’s crew? Do they finally try to upgrade for the first time since Danny Trevathan left for the Bears? It’s decision time for George Paton.

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Top Five Available

1. De’Vondre Campbell – After five years in Atlanta and Arizona, the former fourth-round pick blossomed last season in Green Bay. He’s a three-down linebacker who can play against the run, evidenced by his 146 combined tackles, as well as the pass, based on his two interceptions and five passes defensed. A first-team All-Pro selection in 2021, Campbell’s timing was impeccable. He’s projected to garner a multi-year deal worth $7-8 million per season on the open market.

2. Alexander Johnson – Once the Broncos put him in the lineup five games into the 2019 season, Johnson played well in Vic Fangio’s defense. In fact, Pro Football Focus had him as one of the top-50 players, regardless of position, in the league. In the two years since, he hasn’t been as impressive, but Johnson is a three-down player. He had a career-high 124 tackles in 2020, while recording 2.0 sacks in just six games last year. He’ll earn a Campbell-like contract in free agency.

3. Foyesade Oluokun – Oluokun is a tackling machine. Last season, he recorded a league-high 192 total tackles, as he plays sideline to sideline and can pursue the football as well as any linebacker in the league. He will turn 27 in August, so his best years are likely still ahead of him. In addition, Oluokun has the ability to play all over the field. While not quite Micah Parsons, he can play any linebacker position, is great against the run and has recorded five interceptions across the last two seasons.

4. Leighton Vander Esch – As a rookie in 2018, Vander Esch looked like a star. He recorded 140 tackles and two interceptions, earning a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honors. Playing in the middle of the Cowboys defense, he was a much-talked-about player. In the three years since, it’s been more of a struggle. In part, that’s been due to injuries. But last season, he was simply overshadowed by rookie Micah Parsons. Perhaps a change of scenery is what’s needed.

5. Dont’a Hightower – The former first-round pick has spent all nine of his NFL seasons in New England. Thus, there are legitimate questions about how productive he’d be outside of the Patriots system. The two-time Pro Bowl selection is best against the run, a bit of a throwback skill set that doesn’t necessarily fit with today’s game. If he’s asked to play all three downs, primarily if it involves covering backs or tight ends, a new team could be a bad fit.

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Realistic Options for the Broncos

1. Kenny Young – Young showed some flashes after joining the Broncos in the middle of the 2021 season. He’s got great speed, allowing him to play sideline to sideline, cover backs and tight ends, and be a three-down player. He played for Ejiro Evero with the Rams, so there’s a familiarity with Denver’s new coaching staff that would make the transition seamless.

2. Alexander Johnson – Johnson has been solid for the Broncos the past three seasons. If he’s paired with young or Browning, which would allow him to be more of the run-stuffing inside linebacker, he’d be even better. With Jewell on the field, Johnson becomes more of the coverage linebacker, which isn’t his strong suit. The Broncos have developed Johnson; they should see the process through.

3. Anthony Barr – Barr entered the NFL as a first-round pick in 2014 as a pass-rusher out of UCLA. In the year’s since, he’s developed into more of an all-around linebacker. Still athletic enough to get after the quarterback in blitz packages, Barr would be an ideal fit in the middle, as he can play against both the pass and the run. George Paton was part of the Vikings front office that drafted him, so there’s a familiarity.

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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

Edge – Read

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