The addition of Darian Stewart to the Broncos secondary was like adding the final piece to the puzzle; suddenly, everything clicked. And with everyone returning for another go-round this season, there’s not much reason to make a big-time move in free agency or the draft.
Still, just because you’re strong up top doesn’t mean you’re set. As the Broncos proved last season, depth is a contender’s most-important ally.
For as great as Stewart and T.J. Ward played last season, there were large chunks of the year where one or neither of them were available, forcing second-, third- and fourth-string guys to step up in big moments.
While Denver would like to hope that Ward and Stewart can remain a little healthier in 2016 than they were in 2015, you never know, and the Broncos need to be prepared.
Here are five free agents who could play that role of emergency safety for the Denver Broncos (Hint: Their names should ring a bell):
5. Rahim Moore
EXPERIENCE: 5 years DRAFT: 2nd round (45th overall) out of UCLA
CAREER STARTS: 54 HONORS: None
’15 CAP HIT: $3 M PREDICTED ’16 CAP HIT: $1-2 M
LAST YEAR: 16 total tackles; 1 interception; 2 passes defensed
BEST YEAR: 51 total tackles; 4 interceptions; 6 passes defensed; 1 forced fumble (2014)
WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BE INTERESTED: Before you chuck your computer at me, listen … okay, I got nothing. Chuck away.
I’m right there with you. The words Rahim Moore still send chills down my spine. But, I mean, we did just win the Super Bowl and all. Isn’t now the perfect opportunity to forgive and shove horrible memories down into the deepest depths of our soul?
At this point, Moore is in need of a little support. For him, “The Dream” has turned into “The Nightmare” as he was benched after just seven games in Houston, earning him a one-way ticket to Cutsville earlier this week. A million dollars or so to backup Stewart might not be a bad idea.
That said, there is a reason why he’s fifth on this list.
4. Shiloh Keo
EXPERIENCE: 4 years DRAFT: 5th round (144th overall) out of Idaho
CAREER STARTS: 11 HONORS: None
’15 CAP HIT: $138 K PREDICTED ’16 CAP HIT: $.5-1 M
LAST YEAR: 3 total tackles; 1 interception; 1 passes defensed
BEST YEAR: 53 total tackles; 1 interception; 6 passes defensed (2013)
WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BE INTERESTED: Here’s Shilo Keo’s best asset: He’s cheap, dirt cheap.
And really, that means something. Keo spent a year and a half out of the league, and the fact that he was a backup on a Super Bowl championship team doesn’t mean someone’s about to shell out a sizable check to get him. Honestly, it’s probably the Broncos or nobody for him — I doubt anyone other than Wade Phillips will be signing him off Twitter a second time.
So if the Broncos are looking for a backup who can play special teams and contribute when needed, Keo could be there guy, and he’s going to cost less than just about anyone else.
3. Duke Ihenacho
EXPERIENCE: 4 years DRAFT: Undrafted out of San Jose St.
CAREER STARTS: 15 HONORS: None
’15 CAP HIT: $660 K PREDICTED ’16 CAP HIT: $.5-1 M
LAST YEAR: 3 total tackles
BEST YEAR: 89 total tackles; 9 passes defensed; 3 forced fumble; 2 fumble recovery (2013)
WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BE INTERESTED: Since starting in the Super Bowl for the Denver Broncos in 2013, Duke Ihenacho has accumulated a grand total of four tackles in the last two years. That’s odd …
I’ll admit, I really liked Ihenacho when he was in Denver. He was raw, yes, but he seemed to be a playmaker. But once the Broncos signed T.J. Ward, the writing was on the wall, and Ihenacho was cut before training camp ended. He would go on to spend most of the 2014 season on the Redskins’ practice squad, and just a few snaps into the 2015 season, he would break his wrist, resulting in season-ending surgery.
But why couldn’t he make a return to Denver? He started 17 total games for the Broncos during their first Super Bowl run. You can’t tell me he couldn’t be a great backup option. Plus, with the way these last two seasons have gone, he’ll be all but free.
2. Omar Bolden
EXPERIENCE: 4 years DRAFT: 4th round (101st overall) out of Arizona St.
CAREER STARTS: 1 HONORS: None
’15 CAP HIT: $779 K PREDICTED ’16 CAP HIT: $.5-1 M
LAST YEAR: 2 total tackles; 1 fumble recovery
BEST YEAR: 21 total tackles; 1 fumble recovery (2014)
WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BE INTERESTED: If the Broncos are signing Omar Bolden, they’re not signing him to be a defender; they’re signing him to be a special teams beast. Whether it’s as a returner or as a gunner, he’s one of the best the Broncos have.
He’ll have to be willing to play on a minimum salary, but that’s about all an injury-prone special teamer can really hope for.
1. David Bruton
EXPERIENCE: 7 years DRAFT: 4th round (114th overall) out of Notre Dame
CAREER STARTS: 8 HONORS: None
’15 CAP HIT: $1.65 M PREDICTED ’16 CAP HIT: $2-3 M
LAST/BEST YEAR: 43 total tackles; 1 sack; 2 interceptions; 7 passes defensed; 2 forced fumbles; 1 forced fumble
WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BE INTERESTED: The Broncos can’t let David Bruton walk, can they? He’s more of a Bronco than just about anybody on this team.
For all these years, he’s played the role of special teamer to perfection; he’s one of the best the Broncos have ever had. And when he got the opportunity to make bigger impact last season, that’s exactly what he did, broken leg or not.
Plus, his ability to cover tight ends allows T.J. Ward to do what he does best: Lay the hammer.