The first wave of free agency has come and gone and the Denver Broncos filled two holes by signing defensive back Kareem Jackson and offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James.
Most of the major names have been scooped up by other teams, but that doesn’t mean that some solid players aren’t still available. In fact, every season teams find major contributors well into the free agent signing period.
Over the Cap shows the Broncos have about $20.3 million in available cap space. That gives them some wiggle room to consider the following players.
1. Donte Moncrief, Wide receiver
The Broncos have a new quarterback in Joe Flacco, now it’s time to surround him with targets in the passing game.
Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton is a serviceable trio. Tim Patrick had his moments last season too, but the team could use more depth at the position.
Donte Moncrief could be a solid addition.
He caught 48 passes last season for the Jacksonville Jaguars and that was with Blake Bortles throwing him the ball in a run-first offense. He has averaged nearly 13 yards per catch during his five-year career and has found the end zone 21 times.
On top of all of that, he is still just 25 years old.
Update: Donte Moncrief has signed with the Steelers.
2. T.J. Lang, Guard
Recently released by the Detroit Lions, T.J. Lang is an experienced offensive lineman who should still have something left in the tank.
Lang spent eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers before spending the last two years in Detroit. He has been selected to two Pro Bowls and was once considered among the best guards in football.
He has recently discussed whether or not he wants to continue playing, but if he does, the Broncos should give him a call and at least see if he can be a fit.
Though the team signed James, it lost Billy Turner and Matt Paradis to free agency. That is going to cause a shuffle along the offensive line, as Paradis was the only true center on the roster.
If the Broncos move Connor McGovern to center, there will be a hole at guard. Last year’s sixth-round pick, Sam Jones, could be an option there, but Lang might be a better one.
3. Jeff Heuerman, Tight end
This list can include the Broncos’ own free agents and Jeff Heuerman is still available to be signed. The Broncos will need to add a tight end in the draft, but signing Heuerman to a new one-year contract wouldn’t hurt anything.
Flacco has enjoyed throwing to his tight ends over the course of his career. The Broncos really need to work on addressing this position.
4. Eric Berry, Safety
This wouldn’t be a “minor” signing. If the Broncos decided to bring in Eric Berry, it would definitely be considered one of those “splash” signings.
Berry was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, the only team he has ever known. However, he can still be one of the league’s elite defenders when healthy.
The Broncos need another quality safety on the roster after cutting ties with Darian Stewart and Berry is the best option still available.
5. Timmy Jernigan, Defensive tackle
One of the team’s biggest weaknesses at the moment, at least on paper, is the defensive line.
The Broncos will definitely need to add depth to this unit through the draft, but signing a guy like Timmy Jernigan could provide quite the reward.
Just 26 years old, the former second-round pick has 15.5 career sacks and is a good run defender. He might be waiting for a great offer, but the Broncos should see what he’s looking for.
Another option would be to bring back Domata Peko, but he is also 34 years old.
6. Zach Brown, Linebacker
Two years ago when Zach Brown was set to be a free agent, I mentioned that the Broncos should bring him in. It was a good move then and it would still be a good move now.
Brown was released by the Washington Redskins on Tuesday, giving him a chance to continue his career elsewhere. A tackling machine who can also drop back into coverage, he would be a welcome addition in Denver.
If you’re into PFF grades, Brown was rated as the third-best linebacker in the league last season.
If the Broncos haven’t already done it, they need to get this guy’s agent on the phone.
