If the Denver Broncos aren't done in free agency, who might make sense for them?

For many teams, a goal in free agency is to make sure a team has a viable lineup between its base 22 starters and its nickel package by the time its shopping is done, thus providing maximum flexibility in the draft.

The Broncos have done that.

Even if they shift Baron Browning to outside linebacker, they can open with an inside-linebacker base-package duo of Josey Jewell and Jonas Griffith, who have not started together but have both played extensively, with Griffith starting the last four games of the 2021 season.

Right tackle Billy Turner was the final piece of that viable-lineup puzzle, agreeing to terms Thursday night on a reported 1-year, $5-million contract. So, now, the Broncos can go into the draft without needing to find a starter at a specific position and can fully pick for quality, rather than need.

Still, as the price on some lingering veteran free agents drops two weeks into the new league, it’s fair to ask this: Are there names out there who could make sense in the coming weeks and months, should they remain available?

For many teams, a goal in free agency is to make sure a team has a viable lineup between its base 22 starters and its nickel package by the time its shopping is done, thus providing maximum flexibility in the draft.

The Broncos have done that.

Even if they shift Baron Browning to outside linebacker, they can open with an inside-linebacker base-package duo of Josey Jewell and Jonas Griffith, who have not started together but have both played extensively, with Griffith starting the last four games of the 2021 season.

Right tackle Billy Turner was the final piece of that viable-lineup puzzle, agreeing to terms Thursday night on a reported 1-year, $5-million contract. So, now, the Broncos can go into the draft without needing to find a starter at a specific position and can fully pick for quality, rather than need.

Still, as the price on some lingering veteran free agents drops, it’s fair to ask this: Are there names out there who could make sense in the coming weeks and months, should they remain available?

TYRANN MATHIEU
Position: safety
2021 club: Kansas City
Age as of Week 1: 30

Although Mathieu did not match his 2020 first-team All-Pro selection, the 9-year veteran turned in another excellent season for the Chiefs last year, once again playing larger than his 5-foot-9, 190-pound frame would dictate. And while 2021 rookie Caden Sterns gave every indication that he could develop into a good starter during his spot work, Mathieu is a proven, high-level commodity. The Broncos would have arguably the league’s best safety combination, and Sterns could work in the dime-back role he handled last year.

BOBBY WAGNER
Position: ILB
2021 club: Seattle
Age as of Week 1: 32

He is the biggest name still available — a likely Hall of Fame after a 10-year stint in Seattle that included six first-team All-Pro selections and a two second-team nods, including one just last season. But other teams have been in the mix. With the Broncos having already signed Josey Jewell and likely focused on sub packages that would call for a more limited use of two-inside-linebacker sets than in the past, the still-proficient Wagner might be a bit of a luxury item. Nevertheless, the potential shift of Browning to outside linebacker could leave the Broncos in need of another starter, although better value might come others.

STEPHON GILMORE
Position: CB
2021 club: Carolina
Age as of Week 1: 31

Gilmore was limited to eight games last year, starting just thee, and has missed 12 games over the past two seasons. But he remains dependable in coverage; per the data compiled by SportRadar.com, he allowed a 78.6 passer rating on 25 times targeted last year. Gilmore isn’t a necessity, as K’Waun Williams’ arrival ensures the Broncos are set at their top-three cornerback positions, but if they wanted a veteran backstop who could potentially push Ronald Darby, Gilmore would be worth a look.

Also, are you noticing a trend here? If you’re not a quarterback, the 30th birthday seems to represent a demarcation point for teams’ free-agency decision making.

JADEVEON CLOWNEY
Position: Edge rusher
2021 club: Cleveland
Age as of Week 1: 29

The Browns’ trade for Deshaun Watson means a return to Cleveland makes sense for Clowney, who has played for a different team in each of the last four seasons: Houston (2018), Seattle (2019), Tennessee (2020) and, finally, the Browns. Clowney’s 9-sack tally last year was just a half-sack off of his career high (2017, Houston). As with others on this list, Clowney is a luxury item, as the Broncos have their starting duo, but if availability concerns linger for Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory, Clowney would make a lot of sense.

ALEXANDER JOHNSON
Position: ILB
2021 club: Denver
Age as of Week 1: 30

Johnson only arrived in Denver in 2018 and spent most of that season on the practice squad, so it’s easy to overlook the fact that he was already 27 years old when he made his first NFL start in 2019. The torn pectoral muscle he suffered in Week 6 last year should not affect his viability.

KENNY YOUNG
Position: ILB
2021 club: Denver
Age as of Week 1: 27

The Broncos know Young well, and their coaches who came aboard the staff from the Los Angeles Rams also have familiarity with Young, having coached him there before his midseason trade to Denver. He was a steady tackler, but struggled in coverage with both the Broncos and Rams last year, allowing a combined 113.5 passer rating on 46 times when he was targeted, according to SportRadar.com.

MELVIN GORDON
Position: RB
2021 club: Denver
Age as of Week 1: 29

It might seem hard to believe that the league’s most consistent touchdown-producer in recent years at his position is still on the market beyond the second wave of free agency, but this is the nature of running-back value today. Gordon is heading into his eighth season, a point at which many running backs are declining or headed for their life’s work beyond football. But two of his best average-per-carry seasons were in his two Broncos seasons, and he is still one of the league’s best at finding gaps in the compressed field that exists in the red zone. Someone is going to get a steal in Gordon, who showed in Denver that he has plenty of gas left in the tank.

CHRIS HARRIS JR.
Position: CB
2021 club: Los Angeles Chargers
Age as of Week 1: 33

The market has been quiet for Harris, who hit free agency after two seasons with the Chargers. Harris, however, might opt to be patient and wait for the right opportunity — which could be a long time in coming, perhaps into the summer or even into training camp. That would likely give him a shot somewhere due to an inevitable injury somewhere around the league, and then he would be poised to step in — perhaps with one of the cluster of teams that fancies themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

BRYCE CALLAHAN
Position: Slot CB
2021 club: Denver
Age as of Week 1: 30

“It’s not the years, honey; it’s the mileage.”

Indiana Jones’ quote from Raiders of the Lost Ark certainly applies to any description of Callahan, whose three years in Denver were defined as much by the games he missed as the ones in which he played. Denver has its slot cornerback in signee K’Waun Williams, but if the Broncos emphasize dime packages, they’ll need quality depth.