Broncos Free Agency Primer: Three Tiers of RB Options
The Denver Broncos will likely be selective in free agency in 2024 after spending a lot in 2023. The Broncos' current cap issues mean that the team must get that situation in order first, which means there's a likelihood 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 will 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, then look at the next best options after that. We'll wrap up with other notable names, then consider who Denver is most likely in a position to pursue.
This installment covers the running backs, in which a few notable names hit the open market, but does that mean the Broncos will be looking to add one?
Top three options: Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry
The three most notable names include two running backs who got the franchise tag for 2023, while the third saw his current deal expire. All three backs have shown they can be productive players.
But each of the three comes with red flags. Barkley has an injury history and averaged just 3.9 yards per carry in 2023. Jacobs carried the ball 340 times in 2022 and, in 2023, saw his yards per carry drop to 3.5. Henry has been productive for four of the last five seasons, but he turns 30 years old in 2024.
It's not likely that the Broncos are going to pursue any of these players. Henry might be more inclined to join a top playoff contender, and the other two, while talented, might seek more money than the Broncos are willing to pay.
Next in line: Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard, D'Andre Swift
Ekeler sought an extension from the Los Angeles Chargers and didn't get one. He's now coming off his worst season since becoming a featured back and it's fair to ask how much he has left.
Pollard had a good 2024 campaign but, while he averaged four yards per carry, he got 252 carries, so he's not a player who can take the bulk of carries. Swift had a good 2023 season, but was he a product of the Philadelphia Eagles offense after not reaching expectations with the Detroit Lions?
These three are the type of backs who probably work better as part of a split backfield, so they should come at a lower cost. Whether the Broncos are convinced they need to add one of them is another question.
Best of the rest: JK Dobbins, Devin Singletary, AJ Dillon, Zack Moss
The backs mentioned here are not the types you want for a featured back, but each has shown he can be part of a committee.
The question to ask, though, is whether the Broncos really need to add one of these backs to the roster when they don't necessarily need to upgrade with a veteran free agent.
Samaje Perine did fine in his role, Javonte Williams could be more productive in 2024 (even if he isn't necessarily in the long-term plans), and Jaleel McLaughlin proved his worth as a rookie. The Broncos, thus, should be set at this position.
It's more likely the Broncos either draft a running back or add a rookie free agent. That's a better option than chasing a veteran.
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