5 Bargain-Bin Free Agents Broncos Should Target After 1st Wave of Free Agency

The first wave of free agency hit like a sonic boom. When the new league year began on Tuesday, things were hot and heavy around the NFL. Some teams added some big-money free agents, while other teams made blockbuster trades in an effort to improve their roster.

The Denver Broncos didn’t do either one of those things.

With limited salary-cap space, the Broncos have to be wise with how they spend the little money they have. This is why the first wave of free agency happened, and the Broncos didn’t make any headlines.

As the market seemed to be hotter than some anticipated, the Broncos look smart for not overspending on positions of need. With arguably one year left in a Super Bowl window, they will have to find cheaper veterans to add in free agency.

Here are five bargain-bin free agents the Broncos should target now that the first wave of free agency is over.

Outside Linebacker James Harrison

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In the NFL, there’s no such thing as having too many pass-rushers. That’s why the Broncos should be considering longtime Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison as a bargain free agent.

Lured out of retirement by the Steelers last September, Harrison showed that he still had something left in the tank. He finished 2014 with 5.5 sacks and 22 quarterback hurries over the course of 11 games, according to Rotoworld.

Scott Brown of ESPN.com reports Harrison hopes to keep playing football in 2015, and he’s open to playing somewhere other than Pittsburgh. It seems like Harrison is most likely going to follow former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau to the Tennessee Titans.

That may be likely, but Denver should at least check in to see how interested he’d be in coming to the Mile High City.

Harrison knows what it takes to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. His veteran presence would guide some of the team’s young linebackers as they get used to the new defensive scheme. Harrison may not be the same player he used to be, but he could be an asset—for a good price—as a part-time pass-rusher.

Defensive End Anthony Spencer

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The Broncos are thin on talent when it comes to defensive ends. Right now, Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson have to be considered the starters at defensive end, but there is little depth behind them. A player who could help out as a 5-technique defensive end is former Dallas Cowboy Anthony Spencer.

A first-round pick for the Cowboys in 2007, Spencer was a key addition for then-head coach Wade Phillips. Now that Phillips is in Denver as the new defensive coordinator, inquiring about Spencer’s interest in being a Bronco makes sense.

Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports that several teams are interested in adding Spencer this offseason. He’s generating all this interest even though a 2013 knee injury seemed to rob him of some athleticism in 2014.

He’s not the same player he used to be, but Spencer would be a fine addition as veteran depth and perhaps even a part-time starter.

Center Chris Myers

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There are three holes to fill on the offensive line before the start of the regular season. Denver will give 2014 sixth-round pick Matt Paradis a chance to compete for the starting job, but the team needs to add veteran insurance to the mix.

Chris Myers is the perfect fit.

Originally a sixth-round pick for the Broncos in the 2005 NFL draft, Myers played over the last seven years for the Houston Texans. He’s spent his entire career in a zone-blocking system, and he knows what head coach Gary Kubiak demands from his offensive linemen.

The Texans released Myers earlier this month even though he still has $2 million remaining in dead money on his contract. He was set to make $6 million this year, but the Texans decided to go in a different direction.

Paradis may develop into a fine player, but right now he has zero experience playing in a regular-season game. It’s a tremendous risk for Denver to plug him in as a starter on an offensive line tasked with protecting Peyton Manning.

Fullback John Conner

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One position absent from the Broncos current roster is fullback. Sure, they could use running back Juwan Thompson at fullback if need be. They could also use tight end Virgil Green.

Green said on Tuesday that playing fullback isn’t at the top of his list. “I’m always down to do anything. Fullback, I don’t too much like fullback, but it’s something that I’ve got to do and I don’t mind playing at any position. You put me at guard, I’m going to do it. It doesn’t matter to me.”

The best option for the Broncos could be to add a veteran fullback like John Conner.

Built like a human tank, Conner measures in at 5’11”, 245 pounds and can run over opponents with natural violence. He won’t touch the ball much as a runner (only 27 career carries) or a receiver (only 12 career receptions), but Conner will blast open holes for the running back lined up behind him.

General manager John Elway made it clear to me the Broncos need a fullback. After his press conference at the combine earlier this year, I talked to him privately.

“You’ve got to have ‘21’ personnel, you have to have someone at fullback. Whether it be a fullback or a combination of a ‘Y’ fullback or something, we’re going to have someone playing fullback,” Elway said.

We know the need is there, and the Broncos may decide that bringing in a cheap veteran fullback is the best way to fill it.

Tight End Jacob Tamme

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Even though they didn’t make huge splashes on the first day of free agency, the Broncos did add two tight ends to the roster. They re-signed Virgil Green with a three-year contract, and in no surprise to anyone they added veteran Owen Daniels with a three-year contract as well. They even added college free agent (2014) Joe Don Duncan from Dixie State to the mix.

Even with these moves, the Broncos may not be done adding talent at the tight end position. That’s why keeping Jacob Tamme may be in the cards.

Tamme is a close friend with Peyton Manning, and he knows what it takes to be a favorite target for the future Hall of Fame quarterback. In the Gary Kubiak offense, tight ends are featured, and there are often two on the field at the same time.

His ability as a blocker is good enough to be used properly in this offense. However, Tamme is known as a move tight end who can move the chains on important downs. His chemistry and connection with Manning cannot be overstated.

Daniels and Green should be the two top tight ends for the Broncos in 2015. Tamme could work as a primary backup behind Daniels. In addition, Tamme could also continue as a quality special teams player for the Broncos.

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.