Schlereth: Many non-QB free agents who’d look good in Broncos orange

If Denver Broncos general manager John Elway wants to focus on a specific area of the offseason in order to “win championships,” Mark Schlereth said on Friday, he should turn to free agency, not the draft.

Putting himself in Elway’s shoes, the “Schlereth and Evans” host said:

“I think you just have to look at where I’ve had success. I haven’t had success the last couple of years drafting guys. It just hasn’t worked out for me. But I have had success dipping into free agency, finding myself a guy who can play, a guy who I know can play, and a guy who’s an ascending player, in my mind.”

Admittedly, Elway wrangled in Peyton Manning and DeMarcus Ware as elite players on a downward career trajectory, Schlereth said, but also signed up-and-coming stars like Aqib Talib, Emmanuel Sanders, T.J. Ward, Darian Stewart, and others.

The quarterback position will, obviously, be placed under a microscope this offseason, with Schlereth already calling for the Broncos to sign potential free agent Kirk Cousins, but Stink listed on Friday his non-quarterback wishlist.

DeMarcus Lawrence, defensive end

In his fourth NFL season, Lawrence started all 16 games for the Dallas Cowboys, earning himself a trip to the Pro Bowl with four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one pass defensed, and 14.5 sacks.

“Can you imagine putting him on the opposite side of Von Miller in pass rushing situations? That would be a phenomenal pick,” Schlereth said.

“Now, he probably will make too much money. But, that would be a guy who would be very intriguing, much like going back to 2015 when you had Von on one side and DeMarcus Ware on the other side.”

Allen Robinson, wide receiver

Robinson established himself as one of the Jacksonville Jaguars go-to receivers in 2015 and 2016, when he started all 16 games.

In 2015, Robinson career highs for receptions (80), receiving yards (1,400), and touchdowns (14).

However, the wide receiver’s 2017 campaign was cut short after tearing the ACL in his left knee just one game (one target and one reception) into the season, making him a possible bargain for Denver, according to Schlereth.

“Can you get Allen Robinson, the Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver, at a discounted rate, put him on the outside, DT on the outside, and maybe move Emmanuel Sanders back into the slot?” Schlereth said. “That could be a good look.”

Andrew Norwell, guard

Denver should be in on another big-name offensive line piece, Schlereth said, by targeting 2017 All-Pro guard Andrew Norwell.

The Broncos landed guard Ron Leary last offseason, who ranked 10th among all players at the position in 2017 according to Pro Football Focus.

Norwell graded as the third-best guard in the NFL, and bringing him to Denver would give highly-ranked center Matt Paradis two nice bookends.

“He has outstanding movement skills. He is really tough at the point of attack. He’s got some nastiness to him,” Schlereth said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.