12 players Broncos should claim off waivers or sign as free agents

Irv Smith headlines this list of players the Broncos should consider adding after NFL roster cuts.

NFL teams set their initial 53-man rosters on Tuesday after more than 1,000 transactions over the last two days.

Players cut with fewer than four accrued seasons are subject to the waiver wire. Veteran players with four or more accrued seasons become free agents when they are released.

After the Denver Broncos made 30 roster moves today, we’ve put together a quick list of 12 players the team should claim off waivers or sign as free agents, depending on the players’ respective statuses.

Waiver claims will be processed at 10:00 a.m. MT on Wednesday. Veterans are eligible to sign right away as free agents.

Players Broncos should sign after roster cuts

1. OL Ricky Stromberg: Former third-round pick with experience at center and guard.

2. OL Kyle Hergel: After being picked third overall in the CFL draft, Hergel opted to go to training camp with the New Orleans Saints instead. He can play guard and tackle.

3. OL La’el Collins: He’s dealt with injuries, but Collins has 86 career starts on his resume as a tackle and guard.

4. OL Matt Hennessy: A former third-round pick with 22 career starts at center.

5. OL Julién Davenport: He has 32 career starts at tackle as a former fourth-round pick.

6. OL Germain Ifedi: Former first-round pick with 83 starts at guard and tackle.

7. OT Alex Leatherwood: Another former first-round pick, but he’s been a backup since starting 17 games as a rookie in 2021.

8. TE Donald Parham: Denver could use some help at tight end.

9. TE Irv Smith: Broncos GM George Paton was part of the Vikings’ front office that used a second-round pick to select Smith in 2019.

10. FB Jack Colletto: He’s been compared to Taysom Hill and the Broncos hosted Colletto for a pre-draft visit this spring. After cutting fullback Michael Burton on Tuesday, perhaps coach Sean Payton could find a role for Collette.

11. LB Deion Jones: A former second-round pick with 731 career in tackles in 109 games (91 starts) in the NFL.

12. LB Damien Wilson: He’s a former fourth-round pick with 419 career tackles in 127 games (73 starts).

Bonus — LB Easton Gibbs: After hosting him before the draft, perhaps Denver will now attempt to add Gibbs to its practice squad.

We will track all potential signings on Broncos Wire.

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