In our latest offseason installment of our Denver Broncos mailbag, Broncos Country sent in their biggest questions surrounding the team with NFL Free Agency approaching in just two weeks time.
Denver Broncos Mailbag: Offseason Edition #2
If you want to have your mailbag questions answered, stay tuned on social media for our bi-weekly prompt over at @CodyRoarkNFL on Twitter.
I’ve heard trade rumors with Courtland Sutton. I don’t know if there is any merit to that. What direction could Denver go in as a replacement “if” a trade did take place involving him? Hopefully, they can get an extension because trading him doesn’t make sense to me. – DenverDMarq on Twitter.
I haven’t heard or seen anything credible regarding Courtland Sutton being traded. The Broncos have had every chance to trade him the last three seasons, but they never wanted to or had any intentions to. With him entering the final year of his deal, it makes sense that he’d be pushing for an extension, and his production in the last two seasons makes him deserving of one.
Getting rid of Bo Nix’s top target and favorite weapon would be an act of malpractice to his development. Regardless, I think Denver still adds a player at receiver in free agency.
What team needs will be fulfilled through free agency, and which other ones with draft choices? – Ed Helinski on Twitter.
Great question, Ed. I think the Broncos biggest team needs are tight end, running back, and inside linebacker. Other needs are receiver, safety, and potentially more depth in the trenches. I think Denver will address inside linebacker, receiver, and safety in NFL Free Agency and think they’ll go tight end, running back, and defensive line with their first three picks in the NFL Draft in April.
ICYMI: Broncos search for a ‘Joker’ is biggest task for Sean Payton
The good news for the Denver Broncos is that they are in a position to land an impact player at 20 with them already having their biggest need taken care of after they drafted Bo Nix last year.
Many positions need upgrades. Are they able to address all of them? S, ILB, DL, RB, TE. – Greg Hunt on Twitter.
This offseason, I think that Sean Payton and George Paton can and certainly will address all of these positions you mentioned in both free agency and the draft. Denver’s in a great position regarding salary cap space and roster flexibility. They need to add starters at tight end, running back, and linebacker, but every other addition would provide valuable depth to the team. I think they maximize their window with Nix on a rookie deal by doing this.
How much do you think they’ll pay Juwan Johnson? Will they get either Bolton or Baun? – TeeItUp406 on Twitter.
I don’t think they’ll add Juwan Johnson in free agency unless it’s at a fairly good market-value deal for the Broncos. Nothing is coming out of Dove Valley, but Payton’s acknowledgment of getting a ‘Joker’ speaks of the running back or tight end position. I lean toward him going the route of a tight end in the NFL Draft — with Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren, and Terrance Ferguson being options, although Ferguson could likely go R2/R3 in comparison to Warren or Loveland.
With Adam Trautman under contract, he’ll be the veteran of the room and Nate Adkins will also return in his role, but neither will be the primary receiving tight end the team is looking for. I think Johnson ends up elsewhere.
In regards to Nick Bolton or Zach Baun, I don’t see Denver heavily pursuing Bolton. From my own observation, I think the Broncos pursuing Baun would be more likely, but it would also be the more expensive option and likely one of two big splashes that I think will happen in free agency. I think Denver adds a safety and linebacker as their splash moves while bringing in a veteran receiver.
Do we need to have a veteran RB (someone with more experience than Jaleel/Badie) in the RB room? – LongfellowDeeds (nice) on Twitter.
I don’t think it’s a necessary requirement for the Broncos to add a veteran running back. From what I know and people I’ve spoken to, Sean Payton and George Paton really like Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Blake Watson, and Tyler Badie.
McLaughlin and Estime are two guarantees, in my opinion, for the roster next season, and I think they add a player in the NFL Draft and go with a youth movement at the position. While they could add a veteran back to the room, I am not sure that’s going to be the case this season.
Have you heard about any other Denver Broncos re-signing before FA begins? What D.J. Jones is looking for? – Wes Choate on Twitter.
I don’t think we’ll see any big named free agents that are in-house re-sign before free agency, but I do anticipate we’ll see several players tendered over the next 10 or so days. I’d expect Dondrea Tillman, Devon Key, Ja’Quan McMillian, and Lucas Krull tendered as exclusive rights free agents.
In regards to D.J. Jones, there hasn’t been anything leaked out about what type of contract he’s looking for. On Spotrac, their estimated market value for him is set as a one-year $11.1M deal. His ballpark could be a one or two-year deal with that framework.
I do know that D.J. would love to return this season and the team would like him back — both sides will have to find common ground on a new deal in order for that to happen, but I’d be shocked if he doesn’t return this offseason.