The Broncos are not in the position to spend big in free agency, and their moves thus far indicate that.
Denver brought back safety P.J. Locke, tight end Adam Trautman, kicker Wil Lutz, fullback Michael Burton and wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey on team-friendly deals. The Broncos also added safety Brandon Jones and defensive tackle Malcolm Roach to address areas of need.
With the first week of free agency nearing an end, here are some players Denver could still target.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Garoppolo — recently released by the Raiders after they signed Gardner Minshew — is injury-prone and got benched after throwing nine interceptions in seven games (six starts). But the quarterback market is shrinking, and at least he would give Jarrett Stidham some competition.
C Mason Cole
It wouldn’t hurt to add another center after the Broncos watched Lloyd Cushenberry sign with the Tennessee Titans. Cole has been durable, starting in 34 games over the past two seasons before getting released by the Steelers last month.
CB Steven Nelson
Nelson and Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. were one of the best cornerback tandems in the league last season. Nelson, 31, totaled 63 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes defended. He also allowed one touchdown on 70 targets in 17 games.
DE Jadeveon Clowney
Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowler, played one year in Baltimore, and delivered. The 30-year-old pass rusher recorded 43 tackles and 9 ½ sacks — tied for a career best. Denver needs to add more juice to the pass rush, and Clowney could do so while being impactful against the run.
WR Tyler Boyd
Unless the Broncos released or traded Courtland Sutton, wide receiver isn’t a major need over positions like inside linebacker or cornerback. But if Denver wanted to add another wideout in the room, it could target Boyd, a second-round pick in 2016. Boyd spent eight seasons in Cincinnati, totaling 6,000 receiving yards and 31 touchdown catches while recording 1,000-plus yards in a season twice. In 2022, Boyd caught 67 passes for 667 yards and two touchdowns.
ILB Devin White
The Broncos could use some help at inside linebacker after Josey Jewell joined the Carolina Panthers on a three-year deal. White has registered at least 100 tackles in three of his five seasons with Tampa Bay and was named a Pro Bowler in 2021. However, he is coming off his least productive year as a pro, totaling a career-low 83 tackles and nine quarterback hits in 14 games (13 starts).
DT Quinton Jefferson
Jefferson — who is looking for his fifth team in five seasons — could be another rotational player on Denver’s defensive line. The 30-year-old could be beneficial in the pass rush, as he had a career-high six sacks for the Jets in 2023 and has logged 16 in the last three years.
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