With the quarterback position being solidified after drafting Bo Nix #12 overall in the 2024 draft, this offseason was set up rather nicely. The Broncos had a successful season having clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2015, despite the loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild card game. The glaring needs were exposed in that playoff game, but it was nice to see how the Broncos measured up to reach that next level.

The Broncos General Manager George Paton in a press conference after seasons end laid out how they would spend when free agency started using the term “measured.” The Broncos’ immediate needs for this roster were to improve their run defense and add playmakers to this offense to help their prized franchise QB in Bo Nix. Both George Paton and Sean Payton have a history of strategically tackling the immediate needs via free agency before going into the draft.

The Broncos managed to sign a few players this offseason that have dealt with injuries such as Evan Engram, Talanoa Hufanga, and Dre Greenlaw. Broncos, being one of the least injured teams in the past 2 seasons in the NFL. Credit to the Broncos ownership and Sean Payton with bringing in Vice President of Health and Performance Beau Lowery, which has paid huge dividends for this Broncos organization when it comes to maintaining players health. This had to be a major selling point as a tactic to lure players who have suffered injuries throughout their careers that were free agents.

Former 49ers safety 26-year-old Talanoa Hufanga , the first free agent signing for the Broncos when the legal tampering period began March 10th. After having agreed to a 3-year $45 million dollar while carrying a cap hit of 3.4 million, it is viewed as a low-risk high reward signing. Despite suffering an ACL tear and a wrist injury, Hufanga, when healthy, is one of the best to play the safety position. The accolades back that up having earned a 1st Team All-Pro selection in 2022 coupled with a Pro Bowl selection the same season. Hufanga plays with an edge and flies around the grid iron, making plays, earning the nickname “Human Missile.” On the back end of that defense, Hufanga will be an assett in helping improve the run defense and help create turnovers.

Broncos poached another Niner in free agency, adding inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw to help rove and wreak havoc in the middle of this already elite defense. After agreeing to a 3-year $31 million contract, he joins a familiar face in Hufanga joining forces in the orange and blue. The Broncos competed with the Texans for his services and ultimately chose Denver, of course. Now that speaks volumes in how players around the league view Denver and what we have going. Demeco Ryans was Dre Greenlaw’s former defensive coordinator, who is now the head coach of the Houston Texans.

Greenlaw is another low-risk high reward signing for this organization. After having dealt with a devastating Achilles tear in Super Bowl LIV vs. Kansas City, Greenlaw missed all but 2 games of the 2024 season. He managed to display that he still had his athleticism in the last game of the 2024 season vs. the LA Rams while also recording 8 tackles. It gives a vote of confidence & speaks to what Greenlaw meant to the 49ers after trying to persuade him into re-signing with them even after the Broncos had already agreed to a deal. Greenlaw carries similar traits to former Broncos linebacker Al Wilson had when he played once upon a time. For those who are not familiar with Wilson, he was a fast, hard-hitting linebacker and, most importantly, a leader in his playing days. This team has vied for a player of Greenlaw’s caliber for so long and has finally filled that void with this free agent signing.

Not only did the Broncos look to improve the defense but special teams as well. Signing special teamer and wideout Trent Sherfield, a former Minnesota Viking, to a 2-year $6 million dollar contract. I understand some fans could be scratching their heads wondering why the Broncos would entertain a signing like this. Sherfield brings quite a bit to the table as a player in terms of a role he could fill. First and foremost, he is a special team’s player who replaced Tremon Smith, who signed a deal with Houston and was a core special teamer for the Broncos last season. Sherfield could also look to play a role on offense in terms of being an excellent run blocker replacing the role of a Lil ‘Jordan Humphrey, the former Bronco who has now signed with the NY Giants Signing Sherfield doesn’t take away from the Broncos adding a veteran wide receiver room as an example like a Kennan Allen who is still on the free agent market.

Broncos were able to sign former Jacksonville Jaguar Evan Engram the top tight end on the free agent market. It was a 2-year, $23 million dollar deal. The Broncos happened to beat out their division rivals in the LA Chargers for his services. The tight end after the signing put out a tweet that he was the Broncos new “JOKER.” The term “joker” was mentioned by Head Coach Sean Payton earlier in the offseason in an interview with Kay Adams on the Up & Adams show. The term joker is a role on offense that could be a wide receiver, running back or tight end with exceptional ball skills that can create mismatches against opposing defenses. Engram is just that sitting at 6 ft 3 in 240 lbs, which is a matchup nightmare for defenses. He is too big for defensive backs to defend and has too much speed for linebackers to try and cover him in the passing game. Engram will be a major threat in the intermediate and short passing game with the ability to get yards after the catch (YAC) and stretch out the defense.

Over the course of an 8-year career, Engram has had some solid production posting a career stat line of 496 receptions, 4,922 yards, and 25 touchdowns. Last season, the Broncos TE room was subpar and was one of the weakest links on offense. The last time Denver had a tight end of Engram’s caliber was when former Bronco Julius Thomas last played for us in 2013. After adding a shiny new toy, look for Bo Nix to reap the benefits going into his second year of having an elite TE in the passing game.

All the immediate needs have been filled other than at the running back position, which will continue to be an eye sore on this roster until it that void is filled. Now we can still sign a veteran running back like a J.K. Dobbins or trade for one in Tyler Allgeier with Atlanta, who is on the trade block. I think it would be ideal to add a veteran running back while a rookie running back transitions from the college level to the NFL. This is a deep draft in terms of talent at the running back position compared to any other seasons prior. There are a few names in the draft that I like that can come in day one to be our starting running back, such as Omarion Hampton (UNC), Treyveon Henderson (Ohio St.), and Kaleb Johnson (Iowa). Ashton Jeanty wasn’t mentioned because I anticipate him being drafted by either the Raiders, Bears, or Cowboys who all pick before Denver.

Final Thoughts: The Broncos are headed into the NFL draft in a good spot with plenty of flexibility to operate. There is so much optimism within the Broncos fan base for the first time since the Manning era. Gone are the days of doom and gloom. It’s a new era in the MILE HIGH. GO BRONCOS!!!

Stats & information by: NFL.com, Spotrac.com, ESPN.com

Photo Credit; Broncos Wire, Mile High Report, Wallpapers.com

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