Renck: Baun. Zack Baun. Broncos Country has this notion that the defense is set after delivering 63 sacks and producing the NFL’s top player in Pat Surtain II. The numbers suggest Denver is fine. But is fine good enough for a team that believes it can unseat Kansas City in the AFC West? Bo Nix was fine, especially as a rookie. Is fine good enough offensively for a team chasing its first playoff victory since winning Super Bowl 50? The answer is obvious. It begins with N and ends with O. The Broncos are poised to address multiple needs in the draft, but what position should be their top free agent target? (Defense. Hint, hint,)
Keeler: I’d love to see a big-time inside ‘backer added to VJ’s mix. But that run game — yikes. How bad was it? Per Pro-Football-Reference.com, NFL teams averaged 5.7 yards per rush on first-and-10 last season. Javonte Williams averaged 3.6. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 4.5. You want to keep raising Nix right? Get him ahead of the chains. And you know who helps the most there among top free-agent tailbacks? Aaron Jones. Nick Chubb’s knees scare me. Najee Harris isn’t a home-run threat. The former Vikings and Packers bell cow averaged 4.9 yards per first-and-10 carry last season in the Twin Cities and 5.5 in 2023. No more second-and-forevers. Please.
Renck: The Broncos need the equivalent of a secret service agent at inside linebacker to finally address coverage issues that have existed since the departure of Danny Trevathan. Alex Singleton believes he will return stronger from ACL surgery, but he is 31. Cody Barton profiles as a special teams ace on a Super Bowl contender, and Drew Sanders is one of the Broncos’ best athletes, but remains a project. A reserve for Sean Payton with the Saints, a star for Jim Leonhard at Wisconsin, Baun, 28, converted from outside to inside and finished fifth in defensive player of the year voting. He posted 151 tackles, five forced fumbles, four pass breakups, one pick and was even better during the playoffs. His contract could be as simple as two years, $20 million or four years, $40 million. Both are in the Broncos’ budget.
Keeler: I’ll raise you one by lowering one — as in, a lower contract. According to Spotrac.com, the free-agent running back market is so depressed, the site pegs a “fair market” value for Jones’ next deal at 1 year and $5.5 million. That’s an Amazon.com Marketplace price, my friend. And even if Jones wants more than a one-off, “prove-it” deal at age 30, like two years at $12 million or three at $17 million, that would still leave plenty of room to splurge on a big-ticket add for the middle of the defense.
Renck: If a player is good enough for Uncle Vic, he’s good enough for us. Fangio watched five plays of film on Baun and projected him as an inside backer. “He had certain traits,” Fangio said. Payton trusts Fangio’s evaluation. Joseph would love him. Add Baun, and you have a fourth All-Pro on defense alongside Surtain, Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen. It means D.J. Jones likely leaves as a free agent, but this is the draft where you can find defensive linemen.
Keeler: In a coach-QB league, leading with your defense will only carry you so far during the regular season — especially in the quarterback-rich AFC. Fangio’s Broncos don’t win a game like that wild Monday Night shootout vs. Cleveland last fall. Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock trying to keep pace with Famous Jameis? Come on. This is a good roster that needs some tweaks to keep the train moving forward on both sides of the ball. Eating so much of that Russell Wilson money last season means there’s projectable room for both Baun and Jones right now. And that’s the best news of all.
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