ESPN Links Eagles Safety as 'Must-Sign' Player for Broncos

C.J. Gardner-Johnson was tied with Justin Simmons for the NFL lead in interceptions last year.

Free agency is around the corner, and the Denver Broncos will look to fill some holes in their roster before April’s draft. While offensive and defensive lines have been discussed as the positions needing the most significant talent turnaround, another group is flying under the radar.

Outside of Patrick Surtain, Justin Simmons, and Damarri Mathis, Denver lacks a depth of talent in the secondary. ESPN's Aaron Schatz believes safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is a “must-sign” player for the Broncos.

The Philadelphia Eagles are letting Gardner-Johnson walk in free agency after forgoing the franchise tag on him. Schatz breaks down why Denver makes sense as a landing spot.

The Broncos could use Gardner-Johnson to cover slot receivers or to play strong safety. He had six interceptions in just 12 regular-season games in 2022, and his man coverage ability would come in handy in a division where the Broncos have to see Travis Kelce and Darren Waller twice each. Gardner-Johnson allowed 8.8 yards per target with Philadelphia in 2022 but only 6.2 yards per target in his previous three years with New Orleans.

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Gardner-Johnson’s versatility as a defensive back is intriguing. He could lock up with Kelce and Waller better than any linebacker that Denver has matched them up against. While completely erasing explosive tight ends of this caliber is unrealistic, limiting their impact is enough reason to shell out some Walmart money.

Considering how many talented wideouts line up there, coming down and playing the slot is a huge bonus. Just thinking about Justin Simmons and Gardner-Johnson lining up opposite each other should excite Broncos Country.

Simmons and Gardner-Johnson tied for a league-high six interceptions in 2023. Two ball-hawking safeties will undoubtedly benefit a Denver defense that has lacked game-changing turnovers the past few seasons.

There’s no doubt that Johnson will be a coveted asset to many teams when free agency opens next week. It could drive up his price out of Denver's range. Spotrac estimates that Gardner-Johnson will command $13.3 million per year.

Denver is set to pay Simmons about $14.5M in each of the next two seasons. It will be interesting to see whether Broncos GM George Payton and new head coach Sean Payton think paying two safeties top dollar is necessary.

According to Over The Cap, the Broncos have just over $9M in current cap space. Denver won’t be paying Dre’Mont Jones, so the team will have some money to allocate elsewhere.

Many more moves could be made to free up cash. Whispers of the Broncos 'quietly shopping' Courtland Sutton abound, and the possibility of cutting players like Ronald Darby and Chase Edmonds would allow the team more flexibility.

Gardner-Johnson is undoubtedly an impact player in the secondary and the prime of his career. However, with other pressing needs, it's difficult to agree that he would make perfect sense for the Mile High City. 

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