Grading the Denver Broncos Free-Agency Moves so Far

One week of free agency is in the books. Big-name free agents signed big-money deals, and quite a few players changed locations.

According to Adam Schefter, from ESPN, there has been $600 million in guarantees doled out during free agency so far. The three lowest-spending teams from 2013-2014 (Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets) have accounted for about 25 percent of all guaranteed money paid out during this last week.

The Denver Broncos were not one of these teams making splashy headlines. The biggest move they made of note was placing the franchise tag on superstar receiver Demaryius Thomas before the start of free agency.

With little salary-cap room, the Broncos had to find values in free agency. They couldn’t afford to overspend the way others teams may have this offseason.

Here are my grades for the moves the Broncos have already made in free agency.

Vance Walker, Defensive End

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

The Broncos had to find a 5-technique defensive end in free agency, and that’s why Vance Walker was a target. Last week, Denver signed Walker to a two-year deal worth $5 million.

A seventh-year player, Walker spent his first six NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (2009-12), Oakland Raiders (2013) and Kansas City Chiefs (2014). He was selected by the Falcons in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2009 NFL draft out of Georgia Tech (where he was college teammates with Demaryius Thomas).

In 96 regular-season games (with 28 starts), Walker has amassed 138 tackles (96 solo), 10 sacks, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He has started 2-of-4 postseason games played and contributed six tackles with one sack in those contests.

Walker has seen action in at least 15 games in each of the last five seasons while producing multiple sacks in his last four seasons. Measuring in at 6’2”, 305 pounds, Walker can line up at any position up front in a 3-4 defense.

Walker’s versatility makes it difficult to find a player he molded his game after.

“That’s a tough question simply because I try not to mold. I try to be outside the box.” Walker continued, “There aren’t other guys that can play all three positions on the defensive line in a 3-4. I want to be my best. Obviously I take Warren Sapp, Reggie White, a lot of the greats that played—I like to emulate what they do in pass rush. I wouldn’t say that I try and mold myself. I try to be my own person and put it on film.”

Walker will compete with Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson to be a starting defensive end for the Broncos this year. His experience likely gives him an edge in this competition.

Grade: B-

Darian Stewart, Free Safety

Nick Wass/Associated Press

With Rahim Moore moving on in free agency to the Houston Texans, the Broncos were tasked with finding his replacement. An option that fit what the Broncos needed (decent and inexpensive) was Darian Stewart, and that’s why Denver signed him to a two-year contract last week.

Stewart is a sixth-year player who has appeared in 69 career regular-season games, and he has started 33 of those contests. He played for the St. Louis Rams from 2010-13, and he played for the Baltimore Ravens last season. He originally entered the NFL with the Rams as a college free agent from the University of South Carolina.

In his career, Stewart has totaled 197 tackles (136 solo), four sacks, two interceptions, 21 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Stewart also compiled three solo tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery in two career postseason starts.

He’s struggled with injuries during his pro career, but Stewart played all 16 games and started a career-best 14 contests for the Ravens in 2014. He finished the year ranked fourth on the team with 53 tackles (37 solo) in addition to one interception, four passes defensed and one forced fumble.

Stewart is excited to work alongside strong safety T.J. Ward in the Broncos secondary.

“I think we will work together just fine. Me and T.J. came out [of college] the same year. I met him at the [NFL] combine. He’s a good dude. I’m looking forward to it.” Stewart summarized, “He’s a thumper and I think I add to their bunch. It’s great with my versatility, playing back deep and getting the ball.”

Stewart is a decent player with the upside to be a solid starter for the Broncos. So long as he stays healthy, Stewart was a good addition for a reasonable price.

Grade: C+

Steven Johnson, Inside Linebacker

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The Broncos will have a new-look defense in 2015. New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has brought his trademark 3-4 defense to Denver. In this defense, inside linebackers will take on a lot of blocks—and they have the potential to rack up a lot of tackles. Johnson is a hard-nosed tackling machine who could fit in as a reserve player in 2015.

Johnson has appeared in 41 regular-season games (with seven starts) during his first three seasons in Denver. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 coming out of the University of Kansas.

A standout player on special teams, Johnson has compiled a team-best 27 special teams stops since his rookie year.

In 2014, Johnson was forced into more action as a linebacker due to injuries, and he played 14 regular-season games. He started a career-high seven times last year at middle linebacker, and he finished the season with 22 tackles (13 solo) in addition to 10 special teams stops.

Johnson is working with cornerback Chris Harris down in Dallas, Texas, this offseason. He wants to get better in coverage, and that’s why he’s working to reshape his body as well.

“I’m actually planning on losing some weight. I feel like the way the league is going about it, linebackers are really safeties now. They’re just glorified safeties with just a little bit more bulk who can move just like a safety. So if that’s what the league is doing, I’ve got to be able to adapt.” Johnson concluded, “That’s what I’m trying to do.”

A two-down thumper is a thing of need in the Broncos' new defense. Johnson gives the team valuable depth at the linebacker position. He can back up Brandon Marshall as a strong-side inside linebacker, and with improved coverage skills he could also play some on the weak side as well.

Grade: C+

Virgil Green, Tight End

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

Arguably the most important free agent for Denver to keep not named Demaryius Thomas, the Broncos were able to secure the services of tight end Virgil Green with a three-year contract.

General manager John Elway was thrilled to get this deal done.

“Virgil has been a big part of our team the last four years and will continue to be in the future,” Elway said. “He’s been a reliable, solid contributor since the day he was drafted. We’re very excited Virgil is returning to the Broncos.”

A seventh-round pick by the Broncos in the 2011 NFL draft, Green has worked hard to become a well-rounded player. Coming out of the University of Nevada, Green was mostly known as a favorite target of his college quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. Green showed the ability on film to find the soft spots in a zone, and his size at 6’5”, 255 pounds makes him a big target on underneath routes.

In four years, Green hasn’t done much as a receiver. In fact, with only 24 career receptions, Green caught the first touchdown of his pro career in 2014.

According to Green, the Broncos have not discussed an expanded role as a pass-catcher with him.

“They didn’t really have to talk to me too much about that because, like I said, I did go and try to learn more about what Kubiak’s offense is all about and you see tight ends have flourished throughout the last few years in his offense. So they didn’t have to do too much talking.”

Green continued, “I understand how I’m going to earn my keep on this team, and at the end of the day for me, it’s just tough, hard-nosed football. I know those other things will come to me, but at the end of the day I’m all about tough, hard-nosed football.”

Green has only shown the tip of the iceberg in terms of what he can do. He’s a seriously underrated receiver who will fit in nicely in the Gary Kubiak system. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Green catch 40 passes in this tight end-heavy offense.

Grade: A

Owen Daniels, Tight End

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

In a move that surprised nobody, the Broncos signed veteran tight end Owen Daniels to a somewhat surprising three-year contract. After playing last year for the Ravens on a one-year, $1 million contract, Daniels got $12 million over the duration of his new contract with the Broncos.

Daniels followed Gary Kubiak from Houston to Baltimore, and now he’s followed him to Denver. Kubiak is elated with the signing.

“I think you all know this will be 10 years for [Owen] and I to be together as a player and a coach. That’s unusual in this business, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve watched him when he came into Houston as a former quarterback and turned himself not only into a tight end, but a heck of a tight end in this league and a heck of a player.”

Kubiak’s compliments continued, “He’s an even better person. So I’m very proud. I want players on this football team to know that he’s a heck of a teammate, and that’s extremely important to us. We’re glad to have him.”

The new head coach revealed what he told general manager John Elway before the team signed Daniels. “I sat down with [Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager] John [Elway] about three weeks ago. We were talking about free agency and his name came up, and I really just said two things to John. I said, ‘You know, John, you can look at the film and judge for yourself. But I can tell you two things: He’s going to give you everything he has and he wants to win a championship, and that’s the type of player you want on your football team.’”

Last year for the Ravens, Daniels totaled 48 catches for 527 yards and four touchdowns. This season, catching passes from Peyton Manning could push that number even higher.

Daniels admitted playing with Manning was a big factor in his decision to sign with the Broncos.

“Yeah, that was a factor in coming here, for sure. I’m very, very excited to play with Peyton. I’ve gotten to meet him a couple times at Pro Bowls in the past, so I have a little bit of a feel for him, but I’m looking to get to work with him and building that chemistry so we can have a great year.”

Grade: B-

Shelley Smith, Offensive Guard

USA TODAY Sports

Entering free agency, there were three open spots on the Broncos offensive line. The team needed to find a center, a left guard and a right tackle through the draft or free agency—if they felt the talent currently on the roster wasn’t going to be adequate.

The Broncos shored up the left guard position when they signed veteran offensive lineman Shelley Smith.

A 2010 sixth-round pick by the Gary Kubiak-led Texans, Smith has played five seasons for three different teams. He has appeared in 36 career regular-season games, combining for 11 starts at both guard positions. Smith has helped pave the way for two 1,000-yard rushers during his time in the NFL (Steven Jackson: 1,045 in 2012; Lamar Miller: 1,099 in 2014) while allowing only 7.5 sacks, a per Broncos media release.

Smith likes working in the zone-blocking system.

“I felt like there were a lot of opportunities for big plays in the run and passing game. It fits my style very well and my abilities very well. It does require more athletic linemen, and I feel like I fit that pretty well. Getting to linebackers and being able to reach guys fits my system pretty well.”

Last year’s third-round pick Michael Schofield could compete at left guard, but he might end up being the team’s starting right tackle. Ben Garland is a veteran with limited experience who will compete with Smith for the left guard position. With his experience—and his fit in the zone-blocking scheme—expect Smith to be the team’s starter at left guard in Week 1.

Grade: B

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.