The Denver Broncos added some depth to their defensive line on Wednesday by signing Rashard Lawrence to a reserve/future contract. Lawrence was eligible to sign a future deal because he was not on an active roster at the end of his 2023 season.
Lawrence (6-2, 308 pounds) will officially join Denver’s 90-man offseason roster when the NFL’s new league year begins in March. He entered the league as a fourth-round pick out of LSU with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020.
Lawrence played under Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph in Arizona from 2020-2022, totaling 30 tackles (four behind the line) and one forced fumble in 25 games (13 starts). He spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans in 2023.
Denver’s list of upcoming in-house free agents includes defensive linemen Mike Purcell and Jonathan Harris. Meanwhile, D.J. Jones is set to have a salary cap hit just shy of $13 million in 2024 and the Broncos could save almost $10 million if they part ways with Jones this spring.
Denver needed more depth on the defensive line, and Lawrence is a good start. The team previously signed 13 other players to reserve/future deals. View all of the offseason additions below.