Weighing the Pros and Cons of Denver Broncos Top Free-Agent Targets
The Denver Broncos are trying to get to the top of the NFL mountain. In 2012, the team added Peyton Manning in free agency with the idea that he could come back from the neck injury that forced him out of the 2011 season. The thought was the team would be able to win at least one Super Bowl title with Manning at the helm.
Here we sit three years later, and the Broncos have zero championship rings with Manning.
The Broncos might have one more year left with Manning, so this offseason in free agency, they need to make the best moves possible to make one final (?) run.
This team needs to find starters and quality reserve players who could contribute if/when called upon in 2015. With time running out in Manning's career hourglass, the Broncos have to find the right players without paying too much.
In this article, I weigh the pros and cons of potential top targets for the Denver Broncos in free agency.
TE Jordan Cameron
1 of 7
Pros
Cameron is an athletic tight end who can fly down the field. A former college basketball star at USC, Cameron knows how to use his frame to "box out" smaller defenders away from the ball. He creates mismatches every time he's on the field because he's too fast for linebackers to keep up with, but he's also too big for safeties to cover. Cameron can truly rip the seam and has good ball-tracking ability on deep targets.
Cons
Injuries have slowed Cameron down over his pro career. A concussion problem kept Cameron out for six games in 2014, and he's never played a full 16-game season in his four-year career.
Final Verdict
The Broncos are likely to lose Julius Thomas in free agency. Cameron—who works out with Thomas in the offseason—is nearly a carbon copy in terms of skill set and ability to create mismatches. Injuries are likely to keep his contract lower than a player with his skill set should command. This would be a great move for the Broncos passing game.
C Rodney Hudson
2 of 7
Pros
Hudson is arguably the best young center on the open market. He plays with quick feet and quick hands after snapping the ball. Hudson has the athleticism to move laterally with great effectiveness, and he can consistently land blocks at the second level.
Cons
He's not the biggest guy, and he will struggle against behemoths on the defensive line. Hudson needs to win with quickness at the snap, as he'll sometimes get overpowered as a power run-blocker.
Final Verdict
Adding Hudson is a bit of a pipe dream for the Broncos. He would be a perfect fit because of his natural skill set and the zone-blocking scheme the Broncos will use up front his year. If they can do some salary-cap gymnastics, adding Hudson would give the Broncos their first "set it and forget it" starter since the days of Tom Nalen.
RT Derek Newton
3 of 7
Pros
A seventh-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2011, Newton worked under both current Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak and current Broncos offensive coordinator Rick Dennison during his time in Houston. Only 27 years old (he turns 28 in October), Newton was quietly a solid starter for the Texans last year. He's naturally athletic and has long arms that help him keep opponents at bay.
Cons
He doesn't show enough power as a run-blocker. Even though he's improved his kick slide, Newton does struggle against elite pass-rushers on the outside.
Final Verdict
Even if they add a right tackle in free agency, the Broncos may select a right tackle in the first or second round of the 2015 NFL draft. Newton proved he could be a decent starter last year for the Texans, and he may not want to serve as a top pick's backup. If the Broncos can convince him otherwise, adding Newton would be beneficial.
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OG Clint Boling
4 of 7
Pros
An extremely intelligent player who is rarely fooled by defensive linemen. Boling is technically sound, and he's a player who can play inside at guard or outside at tackle (just like he did in college at Georgia). He understands blocking angles, has the athleticism to beat his man to the spot and understands leverage as a run-blocker.
Cons
There's a bidding war for Boling that could be brewing this weekend. A talented player who can play multiple positions well, Boling's price tag might far exceed what Denver can afford.
Final Verdict
Upgrading the offensive line has to be priority number one for the Broncos this offseason. They could use last year's third-round pick, Michael Schofield, as a left guard if need be, but adding a player like Boling is a better move. It will all come down to how much they spend at other positions and how much Boling is going to command on the open market.
FB Jerome Felton
5 of 7
Pros
Felton is a powerful player who can blast open holes as a blocker. He was the lead blocker for Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) when he rushed for over 2,000 yards in 2012. Felton is not used much as a runner (46 career carries) or receiver (43 career receptions), but he's an underrated talent in both departments. A scoring machine in college at Furman, Felton has a nose for the end zone even though he only has one career touchdown in the NFL.
Cons
As one of the best fullbacks on the market, Felton is going to have a heftier price tag than other fullbacks available. It's not a position of huge need, and the Broncos might decide to go with a cheaper option in free agency or in the draft.
Final Verdict
Many decisions will come down to price this offseason. Felton should be interested in the Broncos, but he may also just follow Peterson wherever he goes (even if he stays with the Vikings). Denver may choose to use players like tight end Virgil Green or running back Juwan Thompson from time to time at fullback.
FS Darian Stewart
6 of 7
Pros
A 14-game starter at safety for the Baltimore Ravens last year, Stewart proved that he belonged at the pro level. An undrafted free agent for the St. Louis Rams in 2011, Stewart flashed ball-hawking and coverage skills for the Ravens in 2014. He's not afraid to challenge a receiver as the pass is coming in, and Stewart has a knack for knocking passes away. As a run defender, Stewart finds a way to the football quickly, and he'll look for an opportunity to strip the ball-carrier if he can.
Cons
Stewart has shown decent upside, but his potential is not out of this world. He's got the ability to be a good player, but perhaps he won't be a great player.
Final Verdict
The Broncos could add a young player with upside to their strong secondary for a reasonable contract. While Rahim Moore could move on and Devin McCourty might be too expensive, Stewart is the right fit at the right price. Even if he's just "OK" as a starter, the Broncos would have three stars around him in the secondary to help pick up the slack.
DT Nick Fairley
7 of 7
Pros
Fairley has rare athleticism for a man who measures in at 6'4", 308 pounds. He's agile enough to quickly get off the snap and create interior pressure. Fairley plays with hateful and violent hands, making him tough for opponents to slow down. He can engulf ball-carriers as a run defender and will look to force fumbles.
Cons
Where to begin? Fairley's pro career can be summed up as a disappointment. Weight issues and lack of motivation—and injuries—have held him back during his time with the Lions.
Final Verdict
The Broncos could just bring back Terrance Knighton in free agency. Knighton is arguably the second-best defensive tackle on the open market behind Suh. His price tag may not be that different from what Fairley is offered. Knighton is a sure thing whereas Fairley has potential—but too many question marks surround his game to be a player to significantly invest in.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com
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