2012 NFL Free Agents: Top Targets for Broncos to Start Peyton Manning Era

The Denver Broncos took care of the big piece of the championship puzzle by signing Peyton Manning. Now they have to surround him with the crucial role players that will guarantee Manning's tenure includes a Super Bowl. 

Manning officially began the second leg of his remarkable career on Tuesday when he officially signed with the Broncos. 

There is simply no way of knowing whether this denouement of an already masterful career will live up to his standards. 

This is a competitor who needs and wants to win, and now it is in the Broncos' hands to surround him with like-minded free agents. 

Here are the players that they should target going forward. 

Jeff Saturday

There is a special bond between quarterbacks and centers that is far too underrated. Manning could use a great deal of comfort as he starts over from scratch with a new team. 

That transition would be better served with his longtime friend and center Saturday coming to Denver. It's a definite possibility, as agent Ralph Cindrich reports via Twitter.

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Confirming #JeffSaturday in #GreenBay yesterday, today, w/ tentative plans to visit #Titans today, tomorrow, then #Denver. #NFL

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"— Ralph Cindrich (@RalphCindrich) March 20, 2012"

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Dallas Clark and Joseph Addai

Two crucial players on the offensive side of the ball with the Colts could come over the the Denver Broncos. 

They are getting the band together. At least, that is the hope after a report from ESPN's Matt Williamson. He writes the following: 

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Right off the bat, Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai and especially Jeff Saturday could be in play for Denver, as all three obviously come from the Colts' unique offense and could help Manning get everyone in Denver up to speed. It has to be noted that what the Broncos did last season with Tim Tebow at quarterback and what Manning will operate couldn't be more different, and the learning curve for current Denver players could be extreme.

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Again, this is all about comfort and transition. Both Addai and Clark know how to run the offense that Manning is comfortable with and would give the star QB weapons from day one. 

Manning is a special QB who runs a great deal of the offense from the line. It will take Broncos receivers a while to get used to such a departure from the one that was run last season. 

The more that they can fill this team with weapons that are comfortable with Manning, the better. 

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