The Denver Broncos, coming off a disappointing 7-9 2019 season, have a lot of work to do this offseason in order to get back to being the regular contenders many fans have come to expect.
But like with any team looking to rebound from a poor season, the first questions that have to be asked are those concerning the players already on the roster.
The Broncos have several key players set to become unrestricted free agents. Recently, we discussed a handful of those players the team should allow to move on, but here, the focus will be on the players to sign.
Each of the players listed below is a player that the team should recognize as one that is integral to the team’s future success.
1. Connor McGovern, center
The last time the Broncos had their center hit free agency, Matt Paradis signed with a new team.
The offensive line needs to have continuity and having a long-term starter at the center position is important to any offensive line. In addition, if the Broncos are going to add pieces along the offensive line, the team should concentrate on depth at the tackle and guard spots rather than having to look around for a new center.
McGovern should be brought back.
2. Theo Riddick, running back
Bringing Riddick back into the fold has been talked about before, but it must be reiterated. The Broncos saw something in the shifty running back and signed him after he was released by the Detroit Lions last year but a preseason injury forced him out the entire regular season.
The Broncos can move forward with Phillip Lindsay as the feature back and Royce Freeman as the guy to spell him. But Riddick, who is a fantastic receiver out of the backfield, can add a dimension to Denver’s offense that no one has had a chance to see yet.
3. Jeremiah Attaochu, linebacker
One of the most crippling blows to the Broncos’ 2019 season was the season-ending injury to Bradley Chubb. But the silver lining in that was the find of Jeremiah Attaochu, the guy the Broncos signed off the street to replace him on the roster.
Attaochu showed himself to be a great situational pass rusher and could also help soften the blow of choosing not to re-sign Shaq Barrett and then watching him become a Defensive Player of the Year candidate for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
4. Derek Wolfe, defensive end
Wolfe might not be a guy who gets double digits in sacks, but I often refer to him as the heart and soul of the team’s defense and he still has plenty left in the tank.
The Broncos should consider the idea of offering Wolfe a bit of a “hometown discount” to see if they can save some money, but the team should do what it can to reach a deal with him.
Though he only played in 12 games this season as he was hampered by an elbow injury, he still posted a career-high seven sacks. That should be strong evidence that he has much more to offer.
5. Shelby Harris, defensive end
Harris is coming off of a tremendous season and should be one of the team’s top priorities this offseason as his play likely attracted many other teams ready to bid on his services.
Harris registered 49 tackles and an impressive six sacks on the season. His knockdown of a two-point conversion attempt by the Oakland Raiders to preserve a win in the season finale was one of the best moments of the season.
There is plenty for Harris, who is still just 28 years old, to build on.
6. Justin Simmons, safety
Of all the players on this list, Simmons is by far going to cost the most to retain. That said, if the Broncos were only going to retain one of the players on this list, it should be Simmons.
The safety has quietly developed into one of the best young defenders in the game and there is no doubt that there are teams in line ready to offer him a big deal.
The Broncos need to be the team that gives him that money, making sure to reward players that are drafted high and then perform well for their high level of play.
Re-signing Simmons has to be of extreme importance to this team.
