Broncos 2022 Free Agency Preview: Is depth at safety a need for Denver?

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 use some help – safety. Yes, Justin Simmons is one of the best in the business. The current face of the franchise is a perennial Pro Bowl and All-Pro candidates. But next to him, Denver is a little iffy. After coming back last season on a one-year, discounted deal, Kareem Jackson figures to depart via free agency. That leaves second-year safety Caden Sterns as the incumbent starter. He played well as a rookie, but it’ll be a big leap for the young player. Beyond Simmons and Sterns, things get even thinner. Thus, it might be a good idea for the Broncos to add some depth at safety.

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Top Five Available

1. Tyrann Mathieu – Mathieu has developed into one of the NFL’s elite playmakers on defense. The “Honey Badger” was good during his time in Arizona and Houston, but he’s blossomed in Kansas City. Playing on a team that could afford to have him take chances, Mathieu has flourished in a Troy Polamalu sort of way, roaming the field with freedom and making plays. He’ll turn 30 in May, but shows no signs of slowing down. In the past three seasons, he’s earned three Pro Bowl invites and been selected All-Pro twice.

2. Marcus Williams – During his five years in New Orleans, the former second-round pick has been a very steady player. He’s appeared in 76 out of 81, starting all 76, serving as a cornerstone of the Saints defense. Williams has accumulated 15 interceptions and 320 tackles, showing a nose for the ball when it’s in the air and a ball carrier’s hands. That said, he’s never been selected to a Pro Bowl or earned All-Pro honors. So they long-term, high-dollar contract he’ll demand will be slightly speculative.

3. Jessie Bates – In his fourth NFL season, Bates burst onto the scene for most NFL fans, riding the Bengals magic carpet ride through the postseason as one of the central figures. At every turn, No. 30 seemed to be popping up for Cincinnati’s defense. Bates is a really solid coverage safety, with the range to get from sideline to sideline to make plays on the football. He’s also a tackling machine, having racked up 408 during his four seasons with the Bengals.

4. Marcus Maye – The former second-round pick has had an up-and-down career during his five years in New York. Two seasons, including the 2021 campaign, have been cut short by injuries. The other three, when he’s played all 16 games, he’s shown a lot of promise. One of Maye’s main attributes is his versatility. He can play either safety position, something he demonstrated when the Jets traded Jamal Adams and Maye’s role changed dramatically in their defensive scheme.

5. Quandre Diggs – Diggs is a bit of a late bloomer. Or he simply needed a better environment in order to thrive. After languishing for four-and-a-half seasons in Detroit, he turned into a different player once he arrived in Seattle. The past two seasons, Diggs has played at a Pro Bowl level, hauling in five interceptions in each campaign. Having just turned 29, there’s still time for the safety to build upon this success. He’s a versatile player who can help any defense.

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Realistic Options for the Broncos

1. Xavier Woods – After four seasons in Dallas, Woods spent the 2021 campaign in Minnesota. He played well under Mike Zimmer, continuing to show his playmaking ability. He posted 108 tackles, demonstrating that he can be an in-the-box safety like Kareem Jackson. But he also hauled in three interceptions, proving he’s good in coverage, as well.

2. Jaquiski Tartt – After seven up-and-down seasons in San Francisco, Tartt could benefit from a change of scenery. His dropped interception in the NFC title game played a huge role in the Rams coming back to beat the 49ers and advance to the Super Bowl. That’s a tough thing to overcome. He’s a legit starter in the league. Tapping into some of San Fran’s defensive mojo wouldn’t be a bad thing.

3. Armani Watts – Watts has primarily been a special teams player in Kansas City, but that’s certainly an area where the Broncos could use help. Schooled under Dave Toub, he lasted four seasons with the Chiefs because he does things the right way, something that would be beneficial in Denver. Plus, he can add some depth behind Simmons and Sterns.

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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

Inside Linebackers – Read

Cornerbacks – Read

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