NFL Free Agency: After Landing Manning, the Broncos Should Target Mike Wallace

Early Monday it was reported that Peyton Manning will be joining the Denver Broncos for the foreseeable future.

The Broncos already have a solid core of receivers and other pieces in place around Manning, but don't be surprised if the Broncos now focus their attention on another top free agent: Pittsburgh Steelers' restricted WR Mike Wallace.

In just three seasons, Wallace has established himself as one of the premier deep threats in the NFL.

What better way to persuade a free agent receiver than with one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history?

Given some of the contracts secured by other free agent receivers this offseason, Wallace will demand a huge pay increase from his expired three-year, $1.7 milion rookie deal. Even with the Manning acquisition, the Broncos would still have a large portion of their $40 million-plus cap space to offer Wallace.

Adding Wallace to a receiving core that already includes emerging young receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker would give Manning and the Broncos enough weapons in the passing game to make Denver an instant contender in the AFC.

Another name to watch in free agency will be Dallas Clark, who the Colts also released this offseason.

Since being selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2009 draft, Wallace has caught 171 passes for 3,206 yards for an average of 18.7 yards per catch, and 24 touchdowns. In 2011, Wallace hauled in a career high 72 receptions for 1,193 yards and 8 TDs.