Broncos Short List of Need-to-Keep Free Agents

Another year and another coaching staff, so the Denver Broncos are in a position to overhaul their roster. Sean Payton is building his coaching staff, and shortly after, it will flip to their own free agents, with one, in particular, standing out.

Before getting to the unrestricted free agents, let us examine the exclusive rights free agents. Per Over The Cap, the Broncos have four ERFAs: LB Jonas Griffith, OT Quinn Bailey, OLB Jonathan Kongo, and P Corliss Waitman.

Griffith, Bailey, and Kongbo are guys to bring back. However, with how cheap ERFAs are, you typically bring them back and let them compete for a roster spot.

Kongbo was a solid depth piece, though he didn't see the field often. Griffith was a starter with ups and downs before he suffered a season-ending injury, while Bailey was a solid depth piece.

Waitman was the punter due to the ability to cut costs and being a project for the former special teams coordinator. Waitman could be brought back as cheap competition for a new addition, either a veteran or rookie. At the same time, it will be easy to see Waitman get let go.

Regarding restricted free agents, there are four for the Broncos. There are three tender levels: first-, second-, and original-round tenders. All four were undrafted players, and if they get tendered, it would be as the original round tender, meaning if they go elsewhere, Denver won't get a compensatory pick in return for them.

QB Brett Rypien, who started a couple of games, would be an easy tender. S P.J. Locke, who has proven to be a solid special teams player, also would be easy. LS Jacob Bobenmoyer, the long snapper it retained, would likely be a cheaper extension than the tender. The same goes for CB Essang Bassey.

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That brings us to the unrestricted free agents, and while there are 17 of them, not all of them are priorities to bring back. For the Broncos, there should only be three priorities.

Three Need-to-Keeps

DL Dre'Mont Jones is a candidate to get franchise tagged, LB Alex Singelton, who vastly outperformed his contract, and OT Cameron Fleming, who proved to be a reliable backup swing tackle.

Everyone Else

With the status of the offensive line, Tom Compton and Billy Turner could be looked at retaining, depending on their health status. Calvin Anderson would depend on the cost, but the quality of the offensive line is a big reason to keep him.

Dalton Risner is a big piece on the O-line, and his cost will likely exceed his value to the Broncos. In the last three seasons, his play has been extremely rough, and he is probably going to get a sizeable offer from other teams, so the Broncos should let him walk. If the market isn't as expected, then maybe revisit.

S Kareem Jackson had a rough year and seemed to be on the decline. If he is brought back, it shouldn't be as a starter. RB Mike Boone could be a solid re-signing as a depth piece with the status of Javonte Williams up in the air.

Andrew Beck, Eric Saubert, and Eric Tomlinson are all options to bring back to help keep the tight end room afloat, as they were the best blockers in the unit. Adding from outside is also an option. Retaining all three on cheap deals could be worthwhile, but they are all replaceable level players if they aren't.

RB Latavius Murray had a solid season to help overcome the loss of Williams and should be looked at being retained. Marlon Mack is also an option to help the room's depth, and he made some big plays for the Broncos this season.

The last two free agents are players that are JAGs, just another guy. If Denver keeps CB Darius Phillips and LB Dakota Allen, it is fine; if they don't, they can easily be replaced.

Bottom Line

Some big decisions are coming over the roster, and the Broncos are in a good spot financially to make the moves they need to make. With the team's limited draft picks, this is a year to push the salary cap as they try to turn things around with Russell Wilson and Payton leading the way.

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