Denver Broncos' Bargain Guide to the 2015 Offseason

The Denver Broncos will search far and wide for players who can contribute in 2015. They fell short of their goal to win a Super Bowl championship in 2014, so they’ll go back to the drawing board for a new design.

The team will search the incoming crop of college players to put together their plan for the 2015 NFL draft. A few of these young players could be counted on for larger roles this season.

However, the Broncos need to find the right players in free agency as well. There are key free agents from the roster to be re-signed (Demaryius Thomas, Virgil Green, Will Montgomery) and there will be some outside free agents that the Broncos reach out to as well. In addition to big-name free agents, the Broncos need to find reasonably-priced veterans to compete for spots on the roster.

Here is my Denver Broncos bargain guide to the 2015 offseason.

T.J. Yates, Quarterback

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The Denver Broncos could be in the market for a quarterback this offseason. A decision from Peyton Manning on his future should come within the next few weeks. If he stays with the team, the Broncos could add a quarterback for veteran depth. If Manning decides to retire, the Broncos need a quarterback who could compete with Brock Osweiler to be the starter.

Adding T.J. Yates makes a ton of sense for multiple reasons.

Yates has experience working under new Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak from their time together with the Houston Texans. In 2011, the Texans selected Yates in the fifth round of the draft. As a rookie, Yates passed for 949 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Yates led the Texans to their first-ever playoff victory with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round.

He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2014, and Yates played a backup role behind Matt Ryan.

He obviously knows the Kubiak system, and Yates would be a fine addition. His athleticism and arm strength make him a perfect fit for an offense that could ask the quarterback to run multiple bootleg plays.

Yates made $645,000 in 2014, and he’s going to be able to test the open market for the first time in his career this offseason. This free-agent class of quarterbacks isn’t that strong, but Yates could attract a bit of interest because of his experience and natural skill set.

The Broncos would likely be very attractive to Yates because of Kubiak. Throw in his likely bargain price, and Yates could certainly find his way to the Mile High City in 2015.

Ryan Harris, Right Tackle

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Upgrading the offensive line will be near the top of the “to-do” list for the Broncos. A primary position of need up front is right tackle.

Last season, the Broncos began the year with Chris Clark at that spot, but he failed to effectively protect Peyton Manning. They moved right guard Louis Vasquez outside to tackle, and he manned the position for over half the year. Vasquez is an All-Pro at guard, but he’s only average as a tackle.

The Broncos should consider bringing back right tackle Ryan Harris.

Originally a third-round pick by the Broncos in 2007, Harris has the perfect size (6’5”, 305 pounds) and athleticism for the zone-blocking scheme. He left the Broncos in 2011 and has bounced around the league since then. Harris went to the Philadelphia Eagles, back to the Broncos, then to the Houston Texans (with Gary Kubiak) and spent 2014 with the Kansas City Chiefs.

In 2014, Harris made only $570,000. He’s going to be priced reasonably for the Broncos, and Harris could compete for a starting job on the right side.

Bear Pascoe, Tight End

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The Broncos are going to have movement at the tight end position this offseason. Three of their tight ends from 2014 are set to be unrestricted free agents in 2015. While Julius Thomas and Jacob Tamme may be allowed to move on, Virgil Green might be retained by the Broncos. Green is the best blocker of the trio, and he’s an underrated receiver.

In the new Gary Kubiak offense, tight ends need to be all-purpose players who excel at blocking. Expect Owen Daniels (Baltimore Ravens) to be a primary target for the Broncos in free agency. They’ll need to bring more than one tight end in, and that’s where Bear Pascoe could come in.

The former high school rodeo (calf roping) star would be a great fit for the Broncos. He’s country strong and has a reputation as a devastating blocker.

Originally a sixth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2009, Pascoe has spent most of his pro career with the New York Giants. In 2014, Pascoe signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent. He made only $570,000 last season, and his price tag won’t be that much greater this season.

Pascoe is a nasty blocker, but he only has 40 receptions for 336 yards and two touchdowns in his pro career. He is not a starter, but a valuable backup player who could also contribute on special teams. Pascoe owns the Fresno State record for most blocked field goals (6) in a career.

Kevin Vickerson, Defensive Tackle

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The Broncos are moving to a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. This is a move that can be seen as a positive for pass-rushers on the outside like Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. Denver needs to find the talent to properly run the scheme, and finding bodies at defensive tackle will be a goal this offseason.

Kevin Vickerson was the ultimate team-first guy during his time with the Broncos. He gained weight to play defensive tackle, and Vickerson lost weight to play defensive end. He started for the Broncos at both positions and also worked as a reserve player without complaint.

After barely making the cut in 2014, Vickerson was released in an effort to save some money. He ended up playing for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014. The Broncos need to bring him back.

Vickerson can occupy space and take on two blockers regularly without wearing down. He can control two gaps on the line, and Vickerson is known as a sound tackler.

The Broncos should re-sign Terrance Knighton, so he could be the starter at nose tackle in the Broncos' new scheme. Sylvester Williams is a bad fit for the 3-4 defense, so the Broncos need to find better depth behind Knighton. That player could easily be Vickerson.

Mike Adams, Free Safety

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Like Kevin Vickerson and Ryan Harris, Mike Adams is a former Bronco the team should consider bringing back. The team may have a spot open at free safety depending on what happens with Rahim Moore this offseason. If the Broncos choose to let Moore leave in free agency, they should be looking at Adams.

He was a good starter for the Broncos in 2012 and 2013. However, Adams was a better player for the Indianapolis Colts in 2014. He finished 2014 with a career-high 66 tackles and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate.

This isn’t a great class of safeties coming into the NFL via the draft. If the Broncos want to address the free safety position, then free agency might be their best way to do that. If Moore’s price gets out of hand, the team could bring back Adams and not miss a beat.

The Broncos secondary has three of four positions wrapped up with elite-level talent. Cornerbacks Chris Harris and Aqib Talib are arguably the best duo of corners in the game today. Strong safety T.J. Ward is a hard-hitting intimidator who can stuff the run.

Adams would be able to help, and he’d be back at his more natural position of free safety. During his time with Denver, Adams played strong safety opposite Moore.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via Denver Broncos unless otherwise noted. Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac.com. Transaction history provided by ProSportsTransactions.com.