As we inch closer to the start of the 2019 NFL league year, the start of free agency will soon be upon us.
The Denver Broncos will complete their trade for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, but the team also has other needs to address and thus, there will be more to talk about in other areas.
The Broncos are expected to move on from linebacker Brandon Marshall, ending his six-year tenure with the team. That leaves Todd Davis and Josey Jewell as the starting inside linebackers and a bunch of unknowns and special teams guys behind them, such as Keishawn Bierria, Joseph Jones and Alexander Johnson.
It’s fair to assume that the Broncos intend to upgrade this position this offseason, either through free agency, the draft, or both.
Here are four guys the team could bring in through free agency.
1. C.J. Mosley
One of the best inside linebackers in football, C.J. Mosley could become an even bigger defensive force in a unit run by Vic Fangio.
The athletic defender was the Butkus Award winner in college and has been to four Pro Bowls since becoming a professional.
He is a sure tackler, stout against the run and can drop back into pass coverage just as well as he can get pressure on the quarterback up the middle.
He is one of the crown jewel’s of this year’s free agent class and as such, there will be a huge market for him with several teams interested in his services. It will be difficult for the Broncos to position themselves as the most attractive destination for him, but it would be a huge feather in the cap of John Elway, Fangio and everyone else involved if they could.
2. Cory Littleton
The Los Angeles Rams would be crazy not to go out of their way to bring this guy back, but if they don’t, he would be a great signing for the Broncos. He is a restricted free agent, which would make obtaining him a lot trickier.
That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t seriously look into it.
Undrafted out of Washington in 2016, Cory Littleton went from a guy fighting for a spot on the roster to a Pro Bowl linebacker this past season. He had 125 tackles and four sacks in 2018. In addition to being a great defender at the line of scrimmage, he also has the skills of a defensive back in the passing game. He registered 13 passes defended last season and recorded three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
He was also the guy that intercepted Tom Brady’s first pass of Super Bowl LIII.
3. Kwon Alexander
At just 24 years old, Kwon Alexander is one of the league’s best young linebackers, having made the Pro Bowl following the 2017 season.
He had 145 tackles in 2016, which was the fourth-most in the league. Like Littleton and Mosley, he can also make plays on the ball in the passing game.
The concern with him will be the fact that he is coming off a torn ACL suffered midway through this past season, but that could also make the market for him a bit less crowded.
Maybe the Broncos could swoop in and steal him at a bargain?
4. Denzel Perryman
Denzel Perryman is a thumper who is great against the run, his problem has been staying on the field.
Because of his inability to stay healthy, there is a good chance the Los Angeles Chargers will move on from him and could also be interested in the other names on this list.
If the Broncos feel like gambling on the oft-injured linebacker, the reward for taking the risk would be huge if Perryman can avoid the injury bug.
