Once the flashy players and big contracts have been signed, the conversation typically moves to the draft. Even though the draft is important, getting quality impact free agents later in free agency could be even more important to the following season’s success.
According to NFL.com’s Top 99 free agents list only 24 of the top 99 players still remain on the market. However, these 24 players could have a major impact on a team’s success, and the Denver Broncos could certainly upgrade their team by signing a few of them.
While the Broncos only have about $6 million in cap space available, there are still some moves that the Broncos could make to open up additional cap space; cutting Ryan Clady for example.
Here is the list of four free agents that are still available that would significantly help the Broncos:
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Age: 33
Rank on NFL.com Top 99 list: 23
Past contract: 2 years, $7.25 million signed in 2014; $3.25 million last year with the New York Jets
2015 Stat Line: 16 games started; 3,905 passing yards; 59.6% completion; 31 touchdowns; 15 interceptions; 88 passer rating; 63.63 quarterback rating
Ryan Fitzpatrick would be an instant upgrade for the Broncos at the quarterback position compared to the play they had in 2015. The Broncos have expressed mild interest in Fitzpatrick and have reached out to his agent to get an idea on his price tag. That is about as far as the Broncos have gone with Fitzpatrick, as he is seeking a contract similar to Brock Osweiler’s, averaging $18 million a year.
The Broncos certainly will not pay that type of money to Fitzpatrick, but as of now, it doesn’t seem like any other team will either. The Jets, his former team, have interest in him, but apparently the two sides are very far apart on contract talks as well.
If Fitzpatrick’s value continues to drop, it would not be a surprise if John Elway pulled off his free agency magic and worked a deal to bring in Fitzpatrick to the Mile High City. It isn’t likely that Fitzpatrick will end up in Denver, but the longer Fitzpatrick stays on the market, the more interesting it will be to see if Elway goes after a quality starting quarterback.
Scott Chandler
Age: 30
Rank on NFL.com Top 99 list: Unranked
Past contract: 2 years, $5.3 million signed in 2015; $2.25 million last year with the New England Patriots; cut March 2, 2016
2015 Stat Line: 15 games played, with 4 starts; 23 receptions on 42 targets; 259 receiving yards; 4 receiving touchdowns
Scott Chandler is coming off of his worst statistical year in the past five years after being the second tight end option in New England behind Rob Gronkowski. Chandler doesn’t differ physically too much from Gronk, as he checks in at 6-foot-7, 270 pounds. Chandler had the best game of the season by far against the Broncos, where he brought in five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
If the Broncos picked up Chandler, they would be upgrading the tight end position that currently has veteran Virgil Green and second-year pro Jeff Heuerman. Chandler would presumably be the starting tight end and would bring an above-average option in the passing game; plus, he’s a very solid in run blocking.
Chandler was released by the Patriots this offseason after failing a physical and was schedule to make $3.05 million in 2016. If Chandler would accept a salary just below what he was supposed to make this year with New England, the Broncos should take a serious look at adding a starting tight end in Scott Chandler.
Percy Harvin
Age: 27
Rank on NFL.com Top 99 list: 72
Past contract: 3 years, $24 million signed in 2015; $6 million last year with the Buffalo Bills; contract became void after Harvin ended up on Injured Reserve last season
2015 Stat Line: 5 games started; 19 receptions on 30 targets; 218 receiving yards; 1 receiving touchdown
Percy Harvin has been one of the most talented wide receivers in the league since he was drafted 22nd overall in 2009 by the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, Harvin is one of the most injury prone players in the NFL, if not the most, and has only played a full 16-game season once, in 2011.
Harvin is both a threat in the passing game, as well as the running game, and would make the Broncos wide receiving group the most dangerous in the league, when healthy. Harvin’s talent is best explained in the massive deal he signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 that was worth $67 million over 6 years.
Harvin was scheduled to receive $9 million both this year and the next with the Bills, but because he could not stay healthy, his contract was voided. Apparently, Harvin is deciding if he wants to continue playing football due to his injury history, but if he decides to play, one of the most talented players in the league will be a free agent.
It is hard to see the Broncos going after Harvin because of his injury history, but his addition would be a certain upgrade to the offense. The Broncos could put together a contract rich in incentives so that they would risk very little in going after an injury prone player.
Jahri Evans
Age: 32
Rank on NFL.com Top 99 list: 68
Past contract: 3 years, $18 million, reworked in 2015; $7.1 million last year with the New Orleans Saints; cut February 8, 2016
Career Accomplishments: 6-time Pro Bowler; 4-time First-team All-Pro; 1-time Second-team All-Pro
Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2006 by the New Orleans Saints, Jahri Evans started and played in 153 out of 160 potential games at right guard for the Saints. Evans is one of the best players in Saints history and was a core member of the 2009 Super Bowl team.
The Saints cut Evans earlier this year after he refused to take a pay cut for the second year in a row. In 2010 Evans became the highest-paid interior lineman in NFL history, signing a 7-year, $56.7 million contract. Evans has been a top guard in the league and would be an instant starter with the Broncos.
Evans could be in a very similar situation as former Bronco guard Evan Mathis was last year. Mathis was cut by the Eagles last year, and signed a one-year, $3.2 million deal with the Broncos. Since the Broncos lost both starting guards this offseason, Denver could use a top veteran guard in the league.
If Evans was interested in taking a deal for just a few million dollars a year, like Mathis did last year, the Broncos would love to add Evans to this newly built offensive line. This would allow Ty Sambrailo and Max Garcia to battle it out for the left guard position, while having the other as a quality backup in case of injury.