Shaquill Griffin listed as best Broncos free agent to increase wins

NFL Network Analytics Expert Cynthia Frelund has created another free agency model, this time being an analytics-based perspective on which free agents could add the most wins to a team in 2021.

Frelund’s model suggests the Denver Broncos would add 0.85 wins by adding ex-Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin.

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— cynthia frelund (@cfrelund) March 12, 2021

“Zero Broncos players pressed on more than 30 percent of snaps when aligned as a corner on the outside last season,” Frelund wrote. “The point here is, Griffin’s versatility drives exceptional value, when you take into account the combination of Denver’s pass rushers and the skill set of franchise-tagged safety Justin Simmons.”

Frelund took her win-share model (the number of times a player impacts first downs and touchdowns that lead to wins or losses, either by creating such first downs and touchdowns on offense or by preventing them on defense) and matched current free agents to teams with needs at their position. (MATH!)

The Broncos have nearly $32 million in salary cap space, and while using each team’s current roster (and what’s missing from it), Frelund’s model not only projects where each free agent would add the most wins, but also takes into account scheme fit and cap space.

Since entering the league in 2017, Griffin has pressed on 41.2 percent of snaps when aligned as an outside corner (No. 20 in the NFL).

ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday that “the door is not shut” on Griffin’s return, but the team won’t “break the bank” for the cornerback.

The cornerback locked down a career-high three interceptions last season and broke up 12 passes while posting 63 tackles.