Ranking the 2015 Impact of the Denver Broncos' Free-Agent Signings so Far
The Denver Broncos have had a quiet start to free agency when compared to other teams around the league—or the start they got off to in free agency last offseason. With little salary-cap space, the Broncos have had to add talent while also watching the budget closely.
In free agency this offseason, Denver has done a good job of keeping the talent they could. Making sure guys like linebacker Steven Johnson and tight end Virgil Green did not leave was incredibly important. In addition to keeping some of their own free agents, Denver has looked outside to other teams for help as well.
In that large talent pool Denver has found more than one player who could start at their respective position. The Broncos have added starting-level talent without having to pay a hefty price tag.
Here’s how I ranked the impact of the Denver Broncos free-agent signings so far.
Reggie Walker: Impact Low
1 of 5
The Broncos upgraded their depth at the linebacker position when they added Reggie Walker. They are switching to a 3-4 defense this year under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. In that defense, the inside linebackers can take a beating as they are often responsible for stopping the ball-carrier on rushing plays.
It was a wise move to add a run-stuffer like Walker to the roster.
Originally an undrafted free agent out of Kansas State in 2009, Walker has spent his first six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2009-12) and San Diego Chargers (2013-14). He’s started six games in 75 career regular-season contests. Walker totaled 73 tackles (59 solo), 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in addition to 25 special teams stops. He also owns five defensive tackles (three solo) and three special teams stops in three career postseason games played.
Walker is likely to compete for a reserve spot on the roster behind starting inside linebackers Brandon Marshall (Sam) and Danny Trevathan (Bow). In addition to giving the Broncos valuable depth and experience, Walker will also contribute on special teams.
If injuries hit the linebacker position, then Walker could be in for a larger role than anticipated at this time. His impact should be relatively low in 2015.
Darian Stewart: Impact Medium
2 of 5
The secondary is one of the strongest units on the entire team. The Broncos did not bring back Rahim Moore to play free safety in 2015, instead choosing to go in a different direction by signing Darian Stewart.
With this move, the Broncos add an ascending talent to the roster for a good price tag.
Stewart entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent coming out of South Carolina in 2010. He has appeared in 69 career regular-season games (33 starts) with the St. Louis Rams (2010-13) and Baltimore Ravens (2014). Over the course of his career, Stewart has 197 tackles (136 solo), four sacks, two interceptions, 21 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. In two career postseason starts, Stewart has three solo tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.
The Broncos will give him every chance to win the starting free safety job that was vacated by Moore. Stewart should win the position, and he’ll be playing in a secondary chock-full of stars like strong safety T.J. Ward, cornerback Aqib Talib and cornerback Chris Harris.
I call Stewart an ascending talent because injuries have always kept him from showing what he can do at the pro level. Last year, Stewart played a full 16-game season and had a career-high 14 starts for the Ravens. What he’s shown is just the tip of the iceberg.
In addition to playing around a bunch of stars who could raise the level of his game, Stewart will also be playing behind an aggressive front seven. The Broncos should be able to generate more pressure on the quarterback this year, and that will lead to more turnover opportunities for guys in the secondary.
It will be difficult for Stewart to outshine the players around him in the secondary, and his impact should be medium in 2015.
Vance Walker: Impact Medium
3 of 5
The new 3-4 defense will feature veteran Vance Walker, likely at right defensive end. It’s a position that needed help, as the Broncos currently have only Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson at defensive end on the roster.
In fact, Walker can help this team in more ways than one.
Originally a seventh-round pick (210th overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in 2009, Walker came out of Georgia Tech, where he was a teammate with wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. He is a seventh-year player who spent his first six NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (2009-12), Oakland Raiders (2013) and Kansas City Chiefs (2014).
He’s started 28 games in 96 career regular-season contests. During that time, Walker has 138 tackles (96 solo), 10 sacks, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Walker even has two starts in the postseason (out of four games), where he compiled six tackles (four solo) with one sack.
We should see Walker start on one side of the defensive line opposite Wolfe. This will keep Jackson fresh as a rotational player who can come in on passing downs.
If needed, the Broncos could even move Walker inside to defensive tackle in passing situations. He’s got the strength and length to stuff the run, but Walker can also set the edge and get a bit of push as a pass-rusher from time to time.
With the ability to play anywhere on the defensive line in a 3-4, Walker’s impact should at least be medium range with the upside to be more.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Shelley Smith: Impact High
4 of 5
The Broncos entered this offseason with three question marks up front on the offensive line. With last year’s left guard Orlando Franklin priced out of their range, the Broncos added veteran Shelley Smith to fill the position. Smith’s veteran presence will help the offensive line, especially if second-year pro Matt Paradis is starting next to him at center.
Smith is a perfect fit for the zone-blocking system, and he’ll help the Broncos in both pass and run blocking.
Returning to Denver gets him back in Colorado. Smith played his college ball in Ft. Collins at Colorado State, and he was a sixth-round pick (187th overall) by the Houston Texans in the 2010 NFL draft. He spent his first five NFL seasons with Houston (2010-11), the St. Louis Rams (2012-13) and the Miami Dolphins (2014).
During his time in the pros, Smith has blocked for two 1,000-yard rushers. He helped blast open holes for both Steven Jackson (2012) and Lamar Miller (2014), and he could block for another 1,000-yard back in C.J. Anderson. In fact, in the zone-blocking system, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Anderson rush for nearly 1,500 yards.
Smith has the lateral agility at the snap needed to work in this system. He does a good job of staying light on his feet, and he’s quite capable of hitting (and latching onto) a moving target at the second level of the defense.
As a pass-blocker, Smith does a good job of keeping his base wide to help maintain better balance. He rarely overcommits to get top-heavy against pass-rushers. Smith properly bends upon impact, and he has the functional strength to redirect his man in traffic.
Smith was a good signing for the Broncos, and his impact will be high all season long.
Owen Daniels: Impact High
5 of 5
The new offense under head coach Gary Kubiak is going to put a lot of emphasis on the tight end. In fact, two-tight end sets are essentially going to be the base formation for the Broncos in 2015. They’ll use “22” personnel (two running backs, two tight ends) to help dictate their game plan on Sundays.
This is why signing Owen Daniels was a must for the Broncos.
Daniels has rarely taken a snap during his pro career when Gary Kubiak was not on the sidelines. He began his career as a fourth-round pick (98th overall) by Kubiak when he was head coach of the Houston Texans in 2006. Daniels has started 109 of 115 career regular-season games with Houston (2006-13) and when he followed Kubiak to the Baltimore Ravens (2014).
“I’ve had the opportunity to coach Owen for the last nine years, and he’s the consummate pro,” Kubiak said. “He has one goal—to win a championship. Owen is a great player and an even better person and teammate. He is a leader and the type of guy you want on your football team.”
Daniels knows the Kubiak system like the back of his hand. He’s a decent blocker who does a good job of holding his spot at the point of attack—but blocking isn’t why the Broncos added him.
He can be the leading receiver for the Broncos at the tight end position in 2015. Daniels could end up catching 50-plus passes this season as a favorite target for Peyton Manning. Teaming him with Virgil Green gives the Broncos a dangerous one-two punch at tight end.
Daniels' impact on the team should be felt strongly every weekend.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
