Top 10 NFL Free Agents Denver Broncos Must Sign
In just over two weeks, the NFL free-agent signing period will begin, allowing teams the chance to shop around for the players they want to build their roster around.
The Denver Broncos will have some difficult decisions to make regarding many players. John Elway and his staff will work to not only bring in players who can help them win but also convince their own free agents to stay.
What factors will the organization take into consideration when deciding which players to sign?
The player not only has to fit into the team's plans, but the team also has to be confident that he will be productive in its system. All of this has to come at the right price as well.
So while the team will look at injury history and production on the field, the dollar amount on the contract is the most important number at the end of the day.
Here, we have ranked the 10 most important free agents—many of which are their own—for the Broncos to sign this offseason. It is highly unlikely that they will get every player on this list, but getting as many of them as they can will be critical.
10. Steven Johnson, Linebacker
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After going undrafted out of Kansas, Steven Johnson has found a role as a member of the Denver Broncos defense.
He has played in 41 of a possible 48 games in that time, playing in a reserve role at linebacker. But special teams is the area where he is most valuable.
Johnson is often the first man down the field to attack punt and kick returners, making critical stops.
His experience playing in Denver also helps, even if the team is to install a new defensive scheme next season.
The Broncos need all the help at linebacker that they can get. If they are unable to re-sign Nate Irving, keeping Johnson around will be even more important.
9. Ron Parker, Safety
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Rahim Moore is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, and he'll likely receive interest from more than one team. You won't find him on this list, either.
That is because several players will be available in the NFL draft who the Broncos will have the option of selecting in order to replace Moore. Gerod Holliman and Durell Eskridge are two who come to mind.
But if the Broncos want an affordable option through free agency, Ron Parker fits the bill.
He has played in all 32 games for the Kansas City Chiefs over the last two seasons and racked up 94 tackles and 12 passes defensed in 2014.
Moore is a talented safety, but Parker may be an upgrade in terms of coverage skills.
8. Nate Irving, Linebacker
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It looked like 2014 would finally be the year the Broncos got something out of Nate Irving, a former third-round draft pick.
That's exactly what happened, as he was having the best season of his career before a knee injury cut his season short in November.
In four seasons with the Broncos, Irving has averaged just 26 tackles per season and has only two career sacks.
Still, he can be a valuable defender against the run, and if they can keep the price down, the Broncos should do their best to bring him back.
Irving would find himself higher on this list if not for his history of being unreliable, which is something Denver will consider into its decision.
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7. Stephen Paea, Defensive Tackle
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Terrance Knighton has to be at the top of Denver's list of free-agent defensive linemen, but if he gets away, Stephen Paea would be a fine replacement.
He has spent his entire four-year career with the Chicago Bears after being a second-round draft choice in 2011. He exploded with six sacks in 2014.
Pro Football Focus ranked Paea as the 11th-best defensive tackle in 2014. By comparison, Knighton came in at No. 12, and former first-round pick Sylvester Williams ranked No. 66.
"An under-the-radar option may be Stephen Paea. Young and disruptive with a good motor.
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) February 15, 2015"
Paea isn't strong against the run, which is why Knighton is the much better option, but his ability to pressure the quarterback from the defensive tackle spot makes him an attractive candidate.
6. Brandon Marshall, Linebacker
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What a pleasant surprise Brandon Marshall was for the Broncos defense last season.
Through his first two seasons in the league, he had appeared in just six games, making four tackles. In 2014, he played in 14 games and led the team with 113 tackles.
In fact, he was probably the best player on the entire defensive unit.
With Wade Phillips coming in as the new defensive coordinator, Marshall would be a key piece in a 3-4 scheme. He showed that he could play the run and the pass.
He is also a restricted free agent, which makes it a little easier for the Broncos to retain him. They'll be able to match any offer Marshall receives from another team.
5. Bryan Bulaga, Tackle
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If the Broncos are going to splurge on a free agent from another team, this is the guy.
Bryan Bulaga is a technical, physical offensive lineman who is a good run-blocker. Bringing him in as the new right tackle would allow the Broncos to move Louis Vasquez over to guard, where he really should be.
The one knock on Bulaga is his health—he missed the entire 2013 season due to a torn ACL—but you can overlook that due to his ability to anchor one side of the offensive line.
Bulaga made a little over $3.8 million in 2014, so the Broncos would have to make a strong offer to lure him to Denver—and one that fits into the salary cap.
4. Orlando Franklin, Guard
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The only reason Orlando Franklin ranks ahead of Bryan Bulaga on this list is because of the options the Broncos will have before them in the draft.
If they can only sign Franklin or Bulaga, they'll have to choose Franklin and use the draft to find a prospect at the tackle position. The upcoming draft will present better options at tackle than guard. The team also has last year's third-round pick, Michael Schofield.
That isn't to sell Franklin short.
He is a versatile offensive lineman, and despite not wanting to shift to guard from tackle following the 2013 season, he made the move quite well. He was arguably the best run-blocker on the team.
Offensive line is the biggest area of focus for the Broncos this offseason. Keeping Franklin, rather than having to fill another hole, has to be considered important.
3. Virgil Green, Tight End
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As you can see by the names on this list, we're giving up on the idea of the Broncos being able to re-sign Julius Thomas.
The Broncos need to have at least one tight end, and along with Thomas, Virgil Green and Jacob Tamme are also scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.
Green offers the most upside, largely because the Broncos will be able to keep him at a much lower rate than Thomas.
But Green is also a talented blocker, and though he hasn't been able to show it, he has good hands and can contribute in the passing game.
Thomas has been excellent over the last two seasons for the Broncos, but look for Green to have a breakout season in Denver next year.
2. Terrance Knighton, Defensive Tackle
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After fizzling out as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, it looked like Terrance Knighton's NFL career would be short-lived. But prior to the 2013 season, the Broncos took a chance on him, signing him as a free agent.
Knighton has found a home in Denver, becoming a key piece of the defense. In 2014, he was a big part of the reason why the Broncos were one of the best teams in run defense.
However, keeping him may prove to be difficult.
ESPN.com reported that Knighton feels disrespected by the fact that the Broncos aren't showing enough interest in bringing him back, in his mind.
"Just spoke w/ Broncos DT Terrance Knighton who's set to bcm a UFA. Very honest telling me he's frustrated w/ lack of communication w/ team.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 19, 2015"
Knighton has spent much of his career playing for former Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, the current head coach of the Oakland Raiders. There is a good chance that Oakland takes a shot at acquiring Knighton.
Not only do the Raiders have Del Rio, but they'll have more money to spend than the Broncos.
1. Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver
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Demaryius Thomas is the No. 1 free agent for the Broncos to sign this offseason, and that should come as no surprise.
He is one of the best wide receivers in the league, and the Broncos can't even entertain the thought of letting him go.
Over the course of the last three seasons in which Peyton Manning has played in Denver, he and Thomas have created one of the most lethal passing combinations in the league.
In that time, Thomas has hauled in 297 receptions for 4,483 yards and 41 touchdowns. And those are just his statistics.
"Elway repeated that will franchise Demaryius if can't get deal done.
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) February 19, 2015"
Thomas is still just 27 years old and should be the No. 1 receiver in Denver for many years to come. It seems Elway feels the same way, as evidenced by the tweet that Troy Renck of The Denver Post sent out earlier.
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