Denver Broncos: 5 Free-Agent Targets Worth More Than Their Price Tags

Last year, the Denver Broncos handed out a few big contracts but to only a few players.

The result? Zero playoff victories.

This year, they're going to spread the wealth a bit more. With no gaping holes besides the offensive line but a handful of areas in which they can improve, the Broncos will have a lot to correct this offseason. They are set at most positions, but they could use an upgrade in a few key areas.

But because they have so many positions to address, they might need to sign a few cheaper players so they have enough money to sign a handful of players. Luckily for them, there are numerous players who can contribute at a low price.

Who are those players? 

Dawan Landry, S, New York Jets

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Rahim Moore has improved since his infamous gaffe in the divisional round of the 2013 NFL playoffs, but he's still just an average safety.

Thirty-two-year-old Dawan Landry, however, has done well despite his age. He finished ninth out of 87 safeties on Pro Football Focus. Moore finished 46th out of 87 safeties, but because of his age (25) and the weak safety market, as ESPN's Adam Caplan states, he should have a "solid market."

Landry, however, performed well in coverage and as a run defender at 32 years old. He could be a cheap addition, though, because he's not one to intercept too many passes and because of his age. He would be cheaper than Moore, but he could be a more productive short-term player to fit Denver’s shrinking championship window.

Using Fanspeak's Manage the Cap tool, I was able to sign him to a $2.7 million deal for one year, which would be great. The Broncos have Kayvon Webster, who could convert to safety, but whether he can start at free safety and outperform Landry is up for debate.

The safety class in the draft is very weak; the likely top safety, Gerod Holliman, has huge question marks about his run defense. If the Broncos are going to add a free safety, it should come from free agency. Landry would be a low-profile bargain who could stabilize the team's secondary.

James Casey, TE/FB, Philadelphia Eagles

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The Broncos scored a record amount of points without a fullback in 2013, but after three straight postseason failures under Peyton Manning, they're going to change things up.

One of those changes involves bringing in a fullback. According to Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post, John Elway clearly stated that the Broncos will have a fullback in 2014. James Casey could be that fullback.

However, that's not all he can do. He could also provide depth at tight end, which the Broncos, who have zero tight ends under contract for 2015, desperately need. In Philadelphia, Casey played tight end.

He didn't play much, but he did well when he was on the field. According to PFF, he earned a plus-4.9 grade in just 173 snaps in 2014.

When he was with current Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak during his tenure in Denver, he earned a plus-4.4 grade as a fullback. He could play anywhere for the Broncos. And because he's 30, isn't explosive and isn't well-known, he could do so for cheap.

Using Fanspeak's free-agency tool, I signed Casey to a two-year, $4 million deal. According to Over the Cap, he originally signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Since the team released him from that deal, he'll probably make less on the open market.

Signing a "Swiss army knife" player like Casey for $2 or $3 million per year for about two years could pay dividends for the Broncos without preventing them from signing another top-tier tight end. They need a fullback, and Casey could start there. They need depth at tight end, and he could provide depth there as well.

Will Montgomery, C, Denver Broncos

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Will Montgomery has never been appreciated for his production, but he's always performed at a high level.

He was Denver's second-best offensive lineman in 2014, per PFF, and he did this playing for less than $2 million per year. But because he's not a standout center and because he's 32 years old, he's going to be cheap.

However, he fits Denver's closing championship window well. The Broncos can count on the consistent Montgomery, who is a great fit as a zone-blocker, to put in at least one more good year of production.

With the Washington Redskins in 2012 under former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, he put up a plus-25.2 grade on PFF. Shanahan worked with current Broncos coach Gary Kubiak under the zone-blocking scheme, showing that Montgomery can succeed in Denver's scheme.

But because of his age, I signed him for a paltry $1.5 million for one year on Fanspeak. He might actually cost around $2 million annually, but it would still be much cheaper than signing a top-tier center like Rodney Hudson for $7-$8 million annually.

According to Mike Klis of The Denver Post, the Broncos want Montgomery back. They don't need to go all in at center in free agency, partially because they have sixth-round pick Matt Paradis in the mix. Per Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com, Kubiak has praised Paradis, and it seems Paradis could be a long-term fit at center. 

If that's the case, signing a long-term center in free agency isn't the best option. 

But in case Paradis doesn't pan out, the Broncos can turn to this year's draft. The center class in the draft is weak, but the Broncos could still draft and develop a center such as Reese Dismukes of Auburn or B.J. Finney of Kansas State in the middle rounds.

Montgomery will probably start for only one more year because he's reliable for Manning, but it's reasonable to expect him to do good work in his one year.

Ryan Harris, RT, Kansas City Chiefs

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

Ryan Harris had his best season as a member of the Denver Broncos in 2008, when current offensive coordinator Rick Dennison held the same position.

The Broncos drafted him to be a zone-blocker, and he thrived in that role in 2008. He earned an outstanding plus-11.6 grade on PFF. But because the 29-year-old tackle is not suited to be a power blocker and was average in Houston and Kansas City, he should be cheaper than many other tackles.

In Denver, he would be a great fit. I was able to sign him for three years and $12.6 million, which is an excessive price. I would expect him to cost around $3 or $4 million per year, which would be a huge bargain for the Broncos.

Since the Broncos have a lot of needs and, according to Over the Cap, just $15.5 million to spend (although they can free up more), they would benefit from signing at least one cheap offensive lineman.

There are plenty of quality tackles available, but the market is thinner at guard. It might be best for the Broncos to sign or draft a top guard and look for a bargain at tackle.

And if that's what they do, they should call Harris' agent immediately.

James Harrison, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Yes, that James Harrison.

Harrison, the prototypical 3-4 outside linebacker, was phenomenal in Pittsburgh in 2014 and earlier in his career. He will be 37 years old when Week 1 starts, but the Broncos know something about 37-year-old players succeeding.

While it's not fair to compare Harrison to Peyton Manning, it cannot be denied that Harrison could be a critical addition to the Broncos. In 2014, he earned a plus-18.7 grade on PFF at 36 years old. 

Harrison could provide great depth as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He could help DeMarcus Ware (32), who struggled at the end of the 2014 season, stay fresh for the postseason.

Harrison might not play much, but he could give Von Miller a rest at times and spell the aging Ware frequently. In the case of an injury, he would be a critical asset and a valuable starter. The two-time Super Bowl champion could also provide valuable leadership and a physical attitude, which the Broncos have lacked at times.

Using Fanspeak's offseason simulator, I signed Harrison to a one-year, $2 million deal with 45 percent of the money guaranteed.

For one last chance at a championship, there's a good chance Harrison would accept that deal or a slightly more expensive one. He wanted to play with the Broncos in 2013, as Dov Kleiman for NFL Updates noted then, and he might want to play with them in 2015.

And the Broncos should also want Harrison to play with them.