Broncos Free Agency Primer: Three Tiers of WR Options
The Denver Broncos will likely be selective in free agency in 2024, after spending a lot in the summer of 2023. The Broncos' current cap issues mean that the team must get that situation in order first, which means there is 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'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 another notable name, then consider who the Broncos are most likely in a position to pursue.
In this installment, we'll look at wide receivers. There are some big names with expiring contracts, but will the Broncos necessarily going to pursue them?
The top five: Marquise Brown, Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr., Calvin Ridley
If you are looking to add a big-name receiver, then the free agent market is for you -- that is unless some of these players get the franchise tag.
Pittman and Higgins are the two most likely candidates to be tagged, though we may see Ridley or Evans get it, depending on what their current teams do with other players. Brown is more likely to hit free agency.
When it comes to the Broncos, though, don't count on them chasing any of these players. They aren't in a position to pursue any of them and, even if they were, they are likely keeping at least one of their experienced receivers for 2024.
Next in line: Odell Beckham Jr., Tyler Boyd, Gabriel Davis, Darnell Mooney, Curtis Samuel
Here, we have two older receivers who might still have something left, plus three who have been solid, though not standouts.
Beckham likely will want to join a top contender and may have to take another one-year deal. Davis has shown No. 2 potential, while the others may have to settle for No. 3 roles. The Broncos could explore one of these options should they decide to trade one of their current receivers, but it only makes sense to do so if they come at a lower cost than any receiver the Broncos trade.
Best of the rest: Kendrick Bourne, DJ Chark, Noah Brown, KJ Osborn, Josh Reynolds, Michael Thomas, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Other free-agent receivers are going to have to take low-cost deals, but any of them could excel in the correct scheme. Don't rule out the possibility of the Broncos looking at some of these players, particularly if they come at a low price point.
Thomas might get the most interest from fans given the Sean Payton connection, but the others could make sense as long as the Broncos don't overpay.
While it's no guarantee that the Broncos will add a veteran receiver in free agency, it can't be ruled out. Most likely, they'll see who is available once the first wave of free agency ends, then try to find value among whoever has yet to sign with another team.
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