Evaluating the Broncos’ needs and wish list entering free agency

DENVER — Vic Fangio was ruthless when talking about the Broncos’ roster at the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February.

Need, need, need, need, was essentially the new head coach’s evaluation of John Elway’s roster.

After 11 wins over the past two seasons, it’s difficult to disagree with him.

But on Monday, the start of the legal tampering period of free agency, Denver can begin to flip the script on some, or all, of those needs.

Here’s who Denver can eye on the open market at their most desperate positions of need.

OFFENSIVE LINE

It’s no secret the Broncos need help along the offensive line, the only question that remains is how much. As of now, the team doesn’t know their starting center, guard or right tackle and that doesn’t include how Ron Leary will come back from a torn Achilles or if Garett Bolles will take a much-needed step forward in year three.

Splash signing: T Trent Brown

Quality left tackles are never cheap. Quality left tackles in free agency typically break the bank — ie Nate Solder hauling in $15.5 million per year last offseason.

Brown’s talent and potential figure to land him a massive payday, one that could be too rich for Denver.

Other splash signings: T Daryl Williams, G Rodger Saffold

Secondary options: T Ja’Wuan James, G Ramon Foster, G D.J. Fluker, G Quinton Spain

CORNERBACK

The Broncos are prepared to let Bradley Roby test free agency, meaning they are okay with losing him to another team. If that does happen, Denver would go from Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib and Roby less than one year ago to just Harris Jr.

Elway will need to replenish the group fast.

Splash signing: Ronald Darby or Bryce Callahan

Either Darby or Callahan would instantly come in and give Denver’s cornerback group another stud to go along with Harris Jr.

Darby has battled injuries over the past two years, while Callahan had his best season under Fangio in Chicago last year.

Secondary options: Pierre Desir, Kareem Jackson, Darqueze Dennard, Bashaud Breeland, Jason McCourty, Morris Claiborne, Jason Verrett, Justin Coleman, Jimmie Ward, Brian Poole

INSIDE LINEBACKER

Fangio didn’t mince his words when talking about the inside backer position at the Combine.

“We need to add to that group, but I like some of the players we do have available there in Todd Davis, Josey Jewell and other players that have played in backup roles,” he said, very straightforward. “But I’de like to see us add a player or two there to be competitive.”

Fortunately for Fangio, there’s big-time players at that position in free agency and the draft.

Splash signing: C.J. Mosley

This would be a huge signing for the Broncos as they would add another young (26) Pro Bowl linebacker to the already-talented defense. Mosley would control the middle of the defense, while Von Miller and Bradley Chubb are on the outside.

They would have to make him one of, if not, the highest-paid inside linebacker in the league, going well over $10 million per season.

Other splash signings: Jordan Hicks, Kwon Alexander

Secondary options: Mark Baron, Denzel Perryman, Deone Bucannon, Thomas Davis, K.J. Wright

TIGHT END

Elway admitted the team has been trying to fix the tight end position for years, but it isn’t easy. Recently, he’s looked to the draft. Since that hasn’t panned out, he could go get a known commodity to put this need to rest.

Splash signing: Jared Cook

Despite turning 32 before the season starts, Cook proved he still has plenty left in the tank as the physically gifted tight end is coming off a career-high 896-yard season.

Cook would instantly give Denver the threat they’ve wanted at the position, while being a mentor for Jake Butt and Troy Fumagalli.

Other splash signings: Tyler Eifert

Secondary options: Maxx Williams, Austin Seferian-Jenkins

RECEIVER

The Broncos hope Emmanuel Sanders is back in 2019 in a major role. However, coming off a torn Achilles, nothing can be certain. That’s what makes evaluating Denver’s need at the position so difficult.

If Sanders is healthy, Denver could add a complimentary receiver to the group — potentially a deep threat — but if he’s not his old self, Denver will need to do their best to replace the Pro Bowler.

Splash signings: Golden Tate or John Brown

The splash move this offseason at receiver would have been to trade for Antonio Brown. Not only did the Broncos drop out of the race in the final week, they let him slip to the Raiders.

Now, Elway needs to decide whether he’s adding a receiver to the current group or replacing one, likely Emmanuel Sanders as he recovers from a torn Achilles.

Although Elway stated the team will pick up Sanders’ contract option, the team could still save a significant amount of money if they move on from him even after picking up the option.

If Elway decides to find Sanders’ replacement, the well-rounded Tate would be a nice fit. If Elway wants to add to the group, the speedster Brown would be a perfect fit, especially with his familiarity and success with Joe Flacco.

Secondary options: Tyrell Williams, Jamison Crowder, Devin Funchess, Adam Humphries, Cordarrelle Patterson, Donte Moncrief

SAFETY

Denver doesn’t need safeties, but there is also plenty of room for upgrade after Justin Simmons had a down season last year and Su’a Cravens didn’t live up to the hype. The optimistic part about this group was Will Parks establishing himself as a solid player.

But the Broncos are lacking star power at the position, and there’s plenty of star power available in free agency.

Splash signing: Earl Thomas

There are plenty of exciting safeties available on the open market, but none would be more of a splash than landing Thomas. It doesn’t appear Denver is in the market to pay top dollar for a safety, but if Elway wants to create round two of the “No Fly Zone” this would get it jumpstarted rather quickly.

Other splash signings: Tyrann Mathieu, Landon Collins, Lamarcus Joyner, Adrian Amos

Secondary options: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Kenny Vacarro, Clayton Geathers, Glover Quin

DEFENSIVE LINE

Currently, the Broncos aren’t dying for a major upgrade along the defensive line. However, they could decide to move on from Derek Wolfe, even after picking up his contract option, in order to make a splash along the front seven — whether that be in free agency or the draft.

Splash signing: Sheldon Richardson

Richardson, the 13th-overall pick in 2013, would give Fangio a dangerous potential weapon along Denver’s defensive line. Because of that, he won’t come cheap, and he would be in a different defensive scheme than what he was in last year with Minnesota.

Other splash signings: Ndamukong Suh

Secondary options: Johnathan Hankins, Henry Anderson, Malcom Brown, Darius Philon, Jordan Phillips, Brandon Mebane

Let the fun begin!