Denver Broncos Wishlist For 2009 Offseason

If you are not a big fan of all of the financial mumbo-jumbo that goes on in the NFL, you are not alone.

In the wake of a $225 million dollar increase in the NFL's salary cap for 2009, the Denver Broncos are in great position to make a splash in a very strong free agency pool.

Currently, the Broncos rank 25th in the NFL with just under $99 million in salary for 2008.  However, Dre' Bly accepted a pay cut at the beginning of this season, so that will free up another $4-to-5 million for the Broncos.

Rest assured, Denver will give a complete makeover to its defense, which ranked 30th in the NFL in 2008.  That makeover could result in the departures of Marlon McCree, Vernon Fox, Marquand Manuel, Nate Webster, Boss Bailey, Ebenezer Ekuban, Kenny Peterson, John Engelberger, Niko Koutouvides, Dewayne Robertson, and Karl Paymah.

While I personally would retain Paymah, and possibly Webster out of that group, the rest may as well pack their bags.  Those departures would leave the Broncos with a team salary of about $75 million, freeing up an astounding $50 million dollars in cap space.

Denver's nine draft picks will likely consume about $8-to-9 million of that cap space.  Pat Bowlen's new GM and Head Coach will likely have $41 million dollars to spend on a new defense.

Here is what my wish list would look like if I were given $41 million to rebuild a defense.

1.  Albert Haynesworth, DT Tennessee Titans

Haynesworth has been absolutely ferocious for the Titans this season.  He is a big body, which the Broncos desperately need, and he would provide an instant pass rush to a team which currently has none outside of Elvis Dumervil.

The Titans defensive star could also be a major factor in stopping the run, another area Denver struggles mightily.

Projection:  Denver signs Albert Haynesworth to 6-year, $65 million contract, plus a $12 million signing bonus. 

2009 hit:  $13 million, $28 million remaining

2.  Julius Peppers, DE Carolina Panthers

Peppers is coming off of a career year for the Panthers.  Setting a personal best with 14.5 sacks, he is definitely due for a pay raise.

The superstar defensive lineman would provide instant credibility to the Broncos' pass rush.  Not only would he make the sack numbers go up, he would also dramatically improve the production of Elvis Dumervil.

Projection:  Denver signs Julius Peppers to 4-year, $44 million contract, plus an $8 million signing bonus.

2009 hit:  $12 million, $16 million remaining

3.  Jonathan Vilma, MLB New Orleans Saints

Vilma could be an interesting name that we hear a lot about come March.  This signing makes the most sense of the three so far, since Vilma would probably be interested in being running mates with his former teammate in college, D.J. Williams.

Projection:  Denver signs Jonathan Vilma to a 4-year, $20 million contract, plus a $4 million signing bonus.

2009 hit:  $6 million, $10 million remaining

4.  Derrick Ward, RB New York Giants

This move would make a ton of sense especially if Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is named Denver's head coach. 

Ward could come relatively cheap, and would make some other Denver RB's expendable to free up even more cap space. 

What I love about Ward is that he runs with a chip on his shoulder and with such force that he could have a Michael Turner-type impact for whatever team he signs with.

Projection:  Denver signs Derrick Ward to a 3-year, $9 million contract, with a $3 million signing bonus.

2009 hit:  $4 million, $6 million remaining

Obviously, these signings are premature, and probably out of the question.  But if I were given control of $41 million dollars to rebuild a defense considering I already had money set aside for the draft, this is what I would do.