Predicting Which Broncos Free Agents Stay, Go

The Denver Broncos will soon have to decide which free agents factor into the future.

The Denver Broncos have 15 unrestricted free agents and four restricted free agents for 2024. The question to ask about all of them is whether or not they can be kept as part of a rebuild.

When a team needs to rebuild, it's fine to keep younger players, though one has to ask which ones are a priority to retain. The good news is the Broncos don't have any priority free agents and, thus, shouldn't need to pay top-dollar contracts.

But there may be a few players who are worth bringing back at the right price. Others, though, need to be allowed to depart.

Let's look at the Broncos' pending free agents and figure out who may be worth keeping and who shouldn't be retained,

Kareem Jackson | S

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Jackson originally signed a three-year, $33 million contract back in 2019 but the final year was an option. The Broncos declined the option but brought him back on a one-year deal.

Jackson has received two more one-year deals over the past two seasons, but he will be 35 years old next season. While he is a popular player in the locker room, it's for the best if the Broncos let him depart. They need to allow younger players to step up.

Lloyd Cushenberry III | C

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Cushenberry struggled in his first couple of seasons with the Broncos, though he showed slight improvement. This season, though, he is playing much better.

Cushenberry has gone from a player whom the Broncos were likely to allow to depart to one who may warrant an extension. Since center isn't a position that usually commands big money, the Broncos may be able to let Cushenberry test the market first, then bring him back if he doesn't find a deal he likes.

Josey Jewell | LB

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The Broncos allowed Jewell to test the market in 2022, then brought him back on a two-year, $11M contract. He's been a steady producer for the Broncos since.

However, Jewell is not a priority to bring back. While rookie Drew Sanders has had his issues, that's not unusual for rookies. The Broncos would be better served to let Jewell depart and prepare for Sanders to start in 2024.

K'Waun Williams | CB

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The Broncos added Williams on a two-year, $5.2M contract in 2022. He was one of the bright spots for the team that year, though he missed three games.

This year, though, Williams started the season on injured reserve because of an ankle injury, and then needed additional surgery. With Ja'Quan McMillian playing well this season, there's no need for the Broncos to bring WIlliams back.

Mike Purcell | DL

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Purcell originally signed a three-year, $11.5M contract back in 2020. Since then, he has twice renegotiated his deal to lower his base salary.

Though the Broncos are in need of plenty of help on the defensive line, it's for the best to allow Purcell to leave. He'll be 33 years old and the Broncos should get younger at the position.

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Jonathan Harris | DL

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Harris has started five games this season for the Broncos but hasn't proven he can be an every-game starter. He appears best suited for a depth and rotational role.

Harris will be a restricted free agent in 2024, though even the lowest tender may cost too much. But he could be brought back for the veteran minimum and then compete for a roster spot.

Wil Lutz | K

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Lutz had a slow start to the season, missing an extra point and a long field goal attempt. Since that time, he has missed just one field goal, which came in Week 8 when an attempt was blocked.

It would make sense to bring Lutz back, though it would have to be on a cheap one-year deal. Furthermore, it would be a good idea to sign a rookie kicker and have a competition in 2024 training camp.

Fabian Moreau | CB

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Moreau was a late addition to the roster in training camp. He eventually made his way into the starting lineup because of Damarri Mathis' struggles.

While Moreau has done good things, it probably doesn't make sense to bring him back. There is still hope that Riley Moss could develop into the No. 2 cornerback in 2024.

Adam Trautman | TE

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Trautman was signed to a one-year deal for $1.5M. He hasn't been great but he's at least on a cheap contract.

Trautman isn't a priority to retain but might be a player to bring back once he's allowed to test the market first. Perhaps Trautman is a player who can be re-signed after the draft, when the Broncos know what their tight end depth chart looks like.

Cameron Fleming | OT

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Fleming has spent three seasons with the Broncos, as the swing tackle in 2021, then as a starting offensive tackle in 2022 when other players missed time with injuries.

He has played in just one game this season and the Broncos may be better off with somebody like Alex Palczewski (who is currently on IR) as the swing tackle next year. Thus, Fleming isn't a player the Broncos have to keep.

Michael Burton | FB

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Burton was added to the roster on a cheap one-year deal. He's been utilized a fair amount in Sean Payton's offense and has contributed to special teams.

It's possible Burton is retained for 2024, though he's definitely a player who the Broncos should allow to hit the open market first.

P.J. Locke | S

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After missing the first four games because of injuries, Locke has been involved a lot in special teams and, in Week 8, got his first NFL start. He also logged his first interception against the Packers.

Locke might be worth bringing back on a one-year, low-cost deal if he plays well the rest of the season. He should be allowed to test the market first, though.

Lil'Jordan Humphrey | WR

Humphrey was signed to the practice squad before the 2023 season but has since been promoted to the regular roster. He's a solid depth player who does have a touchdown reception to his credit.

Humphrey's another player who might be worth keeping for depth, but that means he should be allowed to test the market first. If nobody else signs him, he's worth a cheap contract.

Quinn Bailey | OL

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Bailey has a lot of versatility as an offensive lineman, though he does his best work as an offensive tackle. He's been utilized as an extra lineman in certain situations.

Bailey will be a restricted free agent in 2024, though he's probably not worth even the lowest tender. But he might be another player to bring back on a cheap, one-year deal after he tests the market.

Jonas Griffith | LB

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Griffith started eight games for the Broncos in 2022 and showed promise. However, he tore his ACL during training camp, which spelled an end to his 2023 season.

Griffith will be a restricted free agent in 2023 and the question is whether or not the Broncos want to bring him back. If so, he's not worth tendering, though a one-year, low-cost deal can't be ruled out.

Justin Strnad | LB

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The 2020 fifth-round pick missed his rookie season because of injuries but has managed to stick around as a depth player since that time.

Strnad is useful on special teams and you can't rule out bringing him back on a cheap, one-year deal. Most likely, this comes down to him or Griffith as the linebacker to bring back for depth, though only after they have tested the market.

Ben Niemann | LB

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Niemann was signed to the practice squad this season, but the Broncos elevated him to the active roster after reports that other teams were interested in signing him.

His future with the team depends on his play after the bye week. If he plays well, he's another player that could be kept for depth, after being allowed to test the market.

Dwayne Washington | RB

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Washington has been active for seven games this season but he has yet to take any snaps on offense. With Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and Jaleel McLaughlin all producing to some degree, Washington hasn't been utilized on offense.

Washington's here this season mainly because he's familiar with Sean Payton's offensive scheme. Washington will turn 30 next season and, given what the other backs have done thus far, there's no need to keep him around.

Ronnie Perkins | OLB

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A former third-round pick by New England, Perkins was added to the Broncos practice squad this year, and then promoted to the active roster. He's seen limited action as a depth player.

Perkins will be a restricted free agent in 2024 and isn't worth tendering. If he's brought back, it's likely on a cheap one-year deal, but he isn't somebody the Broncos necessarily need to bring back.

Bottom Line

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Lloyd Cushenberry III is the only pending free agent whom the Broncos can give thought to bringing back for starter money. Everyone else, though, is either a depth player who can be brought back only for that purpose or needs to be allowed to depart.

Given that the Broncos aren't going to have much salary cap space in 2024, they aren't in a position to be active in free agency. But for a rebuilding team, being active in free agency isn't something you should do until you know you have the quarterback you can build around.

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