Broncos Free Agency Primer: Three Tiers of Linebacker Options
The Denver Broncos will likely be selective in free agency in 2024, after having spent a lot in 2023. The Broncos' current cap issues mean that the team must get that situation in order first, which means it's likely they sit out the first wave of free agency.
But it's still a good idea for Broncos fans to get familiar with the pending unrestricted free agents at each position. We're going to examine the most notable free agents over the coming weeks.
With each installment, we'll look at who would be the top free agents at each position, and then look at the best options after that. We'll wrap up with other notable names, then consider who the Broncos are most likely in a position to pursue.
In this installment, we'll look at off-ball linebackers, a position at which the Broncos have a notable free agent and might need to replace him.
Top three options: Lavonte David, Frankie Luvu, Patrick Queen
David is 34 years old but still played reasonably well in 2023. Luvu has been productive in the past two seasons with the Panthers, and Queen might have been extended by the Ravens had they not traded for Roquan Smith in 2022.
Queen is the player most likely to cash in this season, given that he is a former first-round pick and was named to the Pro Bowl. It goes without saying that the Broncos aren't going to pursue him.
Luvu might be looking for a bigger payday as well, while David might have to settle for another one-year deal, perhaps with the Buccaneers again. Broncos fans shouldn't get their hopes up for either one coming to Denver.
Next in line: Azeez Al-Shaair, Jordyn Brooks, Josey Jewell, Bobby Wagner, Devin White
Broncos fans know what they'll get in Jewell -- a good but not great player who seldom makes mistakes. Brooks has been a steady player while Wagner is older, but may still have something left in the tank.
Al-Shaair got a one-year deal from the Titans and started 17 games for the first time in his career, but can he do it again? White is a former first-round pick, but coming off a subpar season and will find it difficult to get a big contract.
There's a chance that Jewell could re-sign with the Broncos, but if that doesn't happen, White might be worth a shot, as long as he'll accept a one-year "prove it" deal.
Other notable names: Blake Cashman, Willie Gay Jr., Jordan Hicks, Nichloas Morrow, Drue Tranquill
The rest of the free-agent linebacker field features players who are worth short-term, low-cost deals. The main thing to be careful about is overpaying for any of these players, even though they have talent.
Gay and Tranquill both played for the Chiefs, and some might become smitten by the fact that they were part of a strong defense for the Super Bowl champions. That doesn't mean the Broncos should pass, but they do need to be careful not to commit too much.
Given the recent revelation that the base salary cap will be higher than projected, the Broncos are in a position to bring Jewell back if they want. If not, expect them to look at free-agent linebackers, but don't expect them to spend a lot on one.
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