5 Available Free Agents Still Within Denver Broncos' Reach

The Denver Broncos have been fairly active in free agency. They lacked a ton of salary-cap space, so they couldn’t be the big spenders that they were last offseason. Instead, the Broncos had to look for bargain-bin players who could provide great value for the team.

They filled numerous spots via free agency this offseason, but there are still some positions that could benefit from additional talent. However, there is one player out there the Broncos could still add who could step in and start from day one.

Here are five available free agents, in order of necessity, still within the Broncos' reach.

5. Quinton Carter

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The Broncos made the decision to let Quinton Carter test the open market in free agency, and he’s received little to no interest. The lack of interest is not surprising given Carter’s trouble staying healthy as a pro.

Originally a fourth-round pick by the Broncos in the 2011 NFL draft, Carter played well as a free safety during his rookie year. He started opposite Brian Dawkins, and Carter earned the job ahead of then-fellow rookie Rahim Moore. Carter had two interceptions in the playoffs that year, one off of Ben Roethlisberger in the Wild Card Game and one from Tom Brady in the divisional round.

Carter missed two years (2012, 2013) as he recovered from microfracture surgery. He played in 11 games last year for the Broncos before being put on injured reserve after his knee problem resurfaced.

The team knows his game, and he isn’t going to come with a large price tag because of his injury history. Provided that he’s healthy enough to compete in training camp, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to see what he has left in the tank. Carter can provide valuable safety depth for the team, and he can line up as either a strong safety or a free safety.

4. Ryan Harris

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The biggest hole left on the roster (on either side of the ball) is on the offensive line at right tackle. This is why many are predicting the Broncos will use their first-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft on a player at that position. This is a strong tackle class, so adding a rookie to potentially start isn’t a bad idea.

However, the team could still add a veteran like Ryan Harris to the mix.

Harris was originally a third-round pick by the Broncos in the 2007 NFL draft. For a few years, Harris was known as a bookend tackle opposite All-Pro Ryan Clady. Harris moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles when he first hit free agency in the pros, but injuries and inconsistencies plagued his time there. Soon he was released and back in Denver, but he was released at the end of the preseason in 2011.

He then signed with the Houston Texans and played under new Broncos head coach (and former Texans head coach) Gary Kubiak. Harris ended up staying with the Texans for a couple of seasons. In July of 2014, Harris signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent.

Now, he’s back on the open market and certainly a player who could fit right in with the Broncos' new zone-blocking system. At this time, 2014 third-round pick Michael Schofield will compete for the starting right tackle job with veteran Chris Clark. If the Broncos want to spend their first-round pick on a position other than right tackle, they should add Harris for more competition and veteran depth.

3. Brandon Spikes

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The Broncos have a vast array of linebackers to compete for spots on the depth chart. They have some athletic linebackers who could compete for the weak-side inside linebacker position, also known as “Bow” in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme. What they could use more of is nasty strong-side inside linebackers who can stuff the run and bring attitude to the team’s new, aggressive defense.

That’s why Brandon Spikes would be a perfect addition for the Broncos.

Spikes played a limited role for the Buffalo Bills last year, but he was a huge help for their upgraded run defense. At this point in his career, Spikes is best utilized as a two-down run-stuffer. In addition to stopping the run, Spikes is an intimidating force who can strike fear into opponents.

According to Vic Carucci, from The Buffalo News, Bills general manager Doug Whaley has expressed interest in bringing back Spikes for the 2015 season. Darren Wolfson, from KSTP in Minnesota, has reported the Vikings have also made inquiries about adding Spikes this offseason.

Spikes isn’t signed yet, and that may be because of his desired price tag. Any team interested in Spikes had better join in the bidding. To this point, we have no indications the Broncos are one of those teams.

2. Jerrell Powe

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Outside of right tackle on the offensive line, the next-biggest question mark on the roster might be at nose tackle. The Broncos let Terrance Knighton leave in free agency to head to Washington, and they also let Mitch Unrein move on to the San Diego Chargers on the open market. They’ve done nothing to address the position this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t.

Looking over the available defensive tackles, former Chiefs and Texans lineman Jerrell Powe is an interesting name to consider.

Originally a sixth-round pick by the Chiefs in 2011, Powe bounced off and on the roster in Kansas City over the course of three seasons. He was not tendered as a restricted free agent with the Chiefs, so Powe signed with the Texans last offseason.

Powe is unlikely to develop into the dominant nose tackle some thought he would be as a sleeper in the 2011 draft class. Instead, he can provide strong play as a rotational player up front.

The Broncos have 2013 first-round pick Sylvester Williams currently penciled in as the starting nose tackle for the 2015 season. After flashing for eight games as a rookie, Williams took a step back last year and had a disappointing sophomore season. It’s dangerous to solely rely on him as an answer at the fulcrum of the 3-4 defense.

Yes, the Broncos also have 2011 second-round pick Marvin Austin on the roster, but he might be best suited as a part-time player. Adding Powe isn’t the answer, but he could be part of the equation that could work at nose tackle for the Broncos this year.

1. Chris Myers

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The Broncos must add Chris Myers in order to shore up the center position. He’s still on the open market, and Myers would be a rock-solid starter in Denver.

Sure, the team has second-year pro Matt Paradis who will compete at the position. A sixth-round pick out of Boise State, Paradis didn’t make the team last year, but instead spent his rookie season on the practice squad. He could develop into a solid starter, but at this time his level of play is a great unknown.

Veteran Manny Ramirez is going to compete for the center position this year in camp. Ramirez failed as the starting center last year and eventually lost his job to Will Montgomery. His power-blocking style is a bad fit for the new zone-blocking scheme.

Yes, the team has even made the move to trade for Gino Gradkowski. The former Baltimore Ravens center started the entire 2013 season and made improvements as the season went on. Those improvements didn’t stop the Ravens from replacing him for the entire 2014 season with Jeremy Zuttah. Gradkowski has good measurable, but he’s yet to fully develop his natural talent.

Chris Myers is better today than all of these guys. A sixth-round pick by the Broncos in the 2005 NFL draft, Myers has worked under Gary Kubiak for years and knows the zone-blocking requirements like the back of his hand. He hasn’t gotten much interest on the open market this offseason, but that’s not due to a lack of talent.

According to Pro Football Talk, Myers met with the Seattle Seahawks back in March. The Broncos would be wise to add Myers (what’s taking so long!) because he could be a fantastic starter. The move would also prevent quality teams (like Seattle) from adding a talented player.

This move should have happened around the same time that tight end Owen Daniels came to Denver. The Broncos had better be late than never when it comes to bringing Myers back to the Mile High City.

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.