09 Mar Which Free Agents Make Sense for the Broncos?
Earlier this week, I revealed my top five NFL free agents for 2019. Now it is time to take a local look with my priority free agents for the Denver Broncos.
Counting down from 3 to 1 . . . plus my bonus pick.
#3) Golden Tate
Position: WR
Last team: Eagles
Age: 30
The Broncos must target a wide receiver who not only has the ability to get open, but has the ability to get open deep as 8% of his targets were over 20 yards last season.
Golden Tate can do it all.
The Broncos would not be getting his prime years and his top-end speed, but his knowledge, experience and knack for getting open would be great for the development of Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton, especially while Emmanuel Sanders recovers from a torn Achilles.
#2) Bryce Callahan
Position: CB
Last team: Bears
Age: 27
Callahan has been injured a bit, but cornerback is a position where the Broncos really need help.
Callahan played for head coach Vic Fangio last year. He can play outside and also can cover the slot very well. Remember that Vic Fangio noted recently that more teams are going to three-receiver sets.
Additionally, he can tackle, nearly doubling his tackles (45) and sacks (2) in a season he was injured. Versatile corners who tackle single-handedly win games.
And there is one element that I love about players coming back from an injury: They learn that they love and they miss the game. They will do the little things right when they come back because they are determined to stay healthy and they just want to play football.
#1) Matt Paradis
Position: C
Last team: Broncos
Age: 29
The number-one priority free agent for the Broncos has to be Matt Paradis, their Pro Bowl center, their captain, their world champion who for three years didn’t miss a snap until his injury this year.
Paradis is one of the toughest players in the NFL and one of the highest-graded centers according to Pro Football Focus. If you want to maintain stability offensively, especially with Joe Flacco taking over under center, Matt Paradis needs to lead the way.
Bonus Pick: Ja’Wuan James
Position: OT
Last team: Dolphins
Age: 26
James started 62 games in four seasons with the Dolphins. He also has experience working with Chris Kuper, now the Broncos’ assistant offensive line coach, when they were together in Miami.
If you want the Broncos to get a quality tackle who has some useful skills and will run the offense the way the coaches want it executed, Ja’Wuan James is your guy.