Examining the free agents Pat Shurmur could bring to Denver from New York

Pat Shurmur is the Broncos’ new sheriff in town for Denver’s offense. Along with a new offensive system and playbook, the former Giants head coach could be bringing a few of his former players with him out west from the Big Apple.

Before Shurmur was canned in New York at the end of the season, he oversaw the entire football team, not just the offensive side of the ball. So while he’s just in charge of the offense in Denver, he could come in handy in luring, or giving input, on potential defensive players, too.

Here are the Giants free agents to keep an eye on that could land in Denver.

QB Eli Manning (39)

2019 Stats: 4 starts; 1,042 passing yards; 6 touchdowns; 5 interceptions

Role in Denver: Backup QB

Perceived Interest level: Very low

Bringing another Manning to Denver would make a lot of sense, for the Broncos. But not so much for Eli.

“Backing up is not real fun,” the 39-year old said at the end of the season after backing up Daniel Jones for the majority of the year.

With Drew Lock in town, Eli’s role would be as a backup. And that’s no fun for Eli.

DE Leonard Williams (25)

2019 Stats: 12 starts; 46 tackles; 2 tackles for a loss; 16 quarterback hits; 3 passes defended; 0.5 sacks

Role in Denver: Stud on the defensive line

Perceived Interest level: Medium

The former sixth-overall pick in 2015 was traded from one New York team to another midseason but ended the season under Shurmur. With so much uncertainty on Denver’s defensive line, Williams could be a natural fit to replace the potential departures of Adam Gotsis and Derek Wolfe.

It will cost Denver a pretty penny—roughly $10 million per season—but would be more affordable than the other top defensive lineman on the market.

OLB Markus Golden (28)

2019 Stats: 16 starts; 72 tackles; 10 sacks; 13 tackles for a loss; 27 quarterback hits; 1 fumble recovery

Role in Denver: High-paid backup to Von Miller and Bradley Chubb

Perceived Interest level: Extremely low

The former second-round pick has proved in multiple seasons he can get after, and take down, the quarterback. That means he’s about to be paid big-time money in free agency.

With Von Miller and Bradley Chubb already on the roster, Denver will spend their money at other positions.

OT Mike Remmers (30)

2019 Stats: 14-game starter

Role in Denver: Swing tackle

Perceived Interest level: Medium

When thinking of Mike Remmers, in Denver, most people think of Von Miller running circles around him in Super Bowl 50. But don’t completely dismiss this one.

In fact, it would be the third time Remmers and Shurmur were on the same team. In New York, the 30-year old was Shurmur’s starting tackle for most of the last season.

In Denver, he would be a solid safety net for both ends of the line. If Ja’Wuan James isn’t able to play, Remmers can step in at right tackle. If Bolles struggles, hello Mike. After Elijah Wilkinson disappointed as Denver’s swing tackle in 2019, the Broncos have to upgrade this position.

FS Michael Thomas (30)

2019 Stats: 40 tackles; 3 tackles for a loss; 3 passes defended; 2 games started

Role in Denver: Backup safety

Perceived Interest level: Medium rare

Michael Thomas the safety, not the all-world receiver, would be a replacement for Will Parks if he leaves in free agency, not Justin Simmons. The two-game starter one year ago has played a significant amount since 2015, and made spot starts here and there.

His versatility in the secondary would allow him to play a similar role that Parks played in 2019.

WR Cody Latimer (27)

2019 Stats: 24 receptions; 300 receiving yards; 2 touchdowns; 10 starts

Role in Denver: Fourth or fifth receiver

Perceived Interest level: Should be low

The Broncos have been there, done that with their former second-round pick.

However, he not only started under Shurmur last year, but he also had a career-best year, albeit for only 300 receiving yards. Shurmur would have to pound the table to convince John Elway to bring back his failed draft pick.

ILB David Mayo (26)

2019 Stats: 80 tackles; 5 tackles for a loss; 2 quarterback hits; 2 sacks; 2 passes defended; 13 starts

Role in Denver: Compete with Todd Davis

Perceived Interest level: Medium rare

The former fifth-round pick out of Texas State is coming off his breakout year in the NFL. Mayo started his career as a backup to Luke Kuechly in Carolina for the first four seasons before spending 2019 with the Giants, where he started the final 13 games of the season.

If Vic Fangio wants to continue to develop Mayo, he could be his next inexpensive project at inside linebacker.

Deone Bucannon (27)

2019 Stats: 26 tackles; 1 tackle for a loss; 1 quarterback hit; 1 start

Role in Denver: Versatile linebacker-safety

Perceived Interest level: Medium

This would be the opposite signing from David Mayo as Bucannon would be a reclamation project. Bucannon was one of the most intriguing defensive players in the 2014 draft as he could play all over the field.

The 6-foot-1, 211-pounder started his career strong, but fell off in recent years, most recently being cut by the Buccaneers last year mid-season before being picked up by the Giants.

Bucannon has the talent and skillset to work well under Fangio.

TE Scott Simonson (27)

2019 Stats: 2 catches; 11 receiving yards; 1 start; 5 games played

Role in Denver: Compete as a backup tight end

Perceived Interest level: Medium rare

The Broncos have one sure-thing tight end with Noah Fant, but have been looking for depth at the position for years. Simonson wouldn’t instantly upgrade Denver’s depth but would bring another piece to the group.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound tight end struggled with multiple injuries in 2019, but had his best year in 2018 under Shurmur as he started four games for New York. If Shurmur believes Simonson is only trending up, he’ll be a low-cost, high-reward play.

QB Alex Tanney (32)

2019 Stats: 1 pass; 1 completion; 1 passing yard; 1 game played

Role in Denver: Backup quarterback

Perceived Interest level: Medium rare

Shurmur brought Tanney in as Eli Manning’s backup quarterback in 2018 and liked him so much he signed him to a one-year contract extension before drafting Daniel Jones in 2019. Then, Shurmur held on to the backup quarterback for all of 2019 despite having Manning and Jones above him on the roster.

Assuming Denver moves on from Joe Flacco, Denver’s only backup signal-caller would be Brandon Allen. Tanney’s played in fewer career games than Allen, but if Shurmur likes him, it would be a cheap option behind Drew Lock.

WR Corey Coleman (25)

2019 Stats: Missed entire season with torn ACL

Role in Denver: Compete at wideout

Perceived Interest level: Medium

The Broncos desperately need help at wide receiver and Coleman is a first-round pick. After missing the entirety of the 2019 season with a torn ACL, Coleman’s stock on the market will be low after having a disappointing start to his career.

If Shurmur saw promise from Coleman behind the scenes, it would make a lot of sense for Denver to take a flyer on the 2015 Biletnikoff Award winner as he’s only 25 years old.