4 positions Broncos must improve this offseason

The Denver Broncos need to look for upgrades at these four positional groups during the NFL offseason.

The Denver Broncos are a team with many holes on the roster following a 7-9 season. Those holes could grow bigger should certain players leave as free agents.

The team will need to make upgrades at several spots whether that be through free agency or the draft. How the team goes about making those changes remains to be seen, but here, you will be able to read more about the four most important positions of need for the team.

1. Wide receiver

Without any doubt, the Broncos need to look for a player who can provide more productivity at the wide receiver spot.

Courtland Sutton is a terrific No. 1 target, but Tim Patrick won’t cut it as a No. 2, nor will DaeSean Hamilton, though the latter offers some promise.

Sutton caught 72 passes in 2019 and all other wide receivers on the team combined caught 82. That includes 30 for Emmanuel Sanders, who the Broncos traded to the San Francisco 49ers in October.

Sanders finished with the second-most receptions on the team by a wide receiver, which isn’t a great sign.

Guys like Patrick and Hamilton can be nice role players and added depth, but the Broncos need to find a guy who can fill the role once occupied by Sanders.

Peyton Manning had a ton of success with the combination of Sanders and Demaryius Thomas. This is not to say that Drew Lock is Manning, but if the team gave him another serious threat on the outside to go with Sutton and Noah Fant, it would be supplying the young quarterback with enough tools for ultimate success.

2. Interior offensive line

The Broncos should move on from Ronald Leary this offseason. They can do that by declining his club option. In addition, starting center Connor McGovern is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

At least one of those players won’t be with the team next season and the Broncos need to look for replacements.

Dalton Risner had a terrific rookie season, but the Broncos don’t have much depth in the way of an interior lineman that can play guard or center. Ideally, the team should re-sign McGovern and look to free agency or the draft for a replacement for Leary.

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6 pending free agents Broncos should re-sign this offseason

The Denver Broncos should strongly consider re-signing these six players during the NFL offseason.

The Denver Broncos, coming off a disappointing 7-9 2019 season, have a lot of work to do this offseason in order to get back to being the regular contenders many fans have come to expect.

But like with any team looking to rebound from a poor season, the first questions that have to be asked are those concerning the players already on the roster.

The Broncos have several key players set to become unrestricted free agents. Recently, we discussed a handful of those players the team should allow to move on, but here, the focus will be on the players to sign.

Each of the players listed below is a player that the team should recognize as one that is integral to the team’s future success.

1. Connor McGovern, center

The last time the Broncos had their center hit free agency, Matt Paradis signed with a new team.

The offensive line needs to have continuity and having a long-term starter at the center position is important to any offensive line. In addition, if the Broncos are going to add pieces along the offensive line, the team should concentrate on depth at the tackle and guard spots rather than having to look around for a new center.

McGovern should be brought back.

2. Theo Riddick, running back

Bringing Riddick back into the fold has been talked about before, but it must be reiterated. The Broncos saw something in the shifty running back and signed him after he was released by the Detroit Lions last year but a preseason injury forced him out the entire regular season.

The Broncos can move forward with Phillip Lindsay as the feature back and Royce Freeman as the guy to spell him. But Riddick, who is a fantastic receiver out of the backfield, can add a dimension to Denver’s offense that no one has had a chance to see yet.

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4 free agents with connections to Rams DC Brandon Staley

John Glaser-USA TODAY Sports In a somewhat surprising move, the Rams parted ways with Wade Phillips as their defensive coordinator. Sean McVay replaced him with 37-year-old Brandon Staley, who has been an outside linebackers coach under Vic Fangio …

In a somewhat surprising move, the Rams parted ways with Wade Phillips as their defensive coordinator. Sean McVay replaced him with 37-year-old Brandon Staley, who has been an outside linebackers coach under Vic Fangio for the last three years; two in Chicago and one year in Denver.

Staley has only been an NFL coach since 2017, so his connections to players don’t exactly run deep. However, these four players are set to hit free agency in March and have played for Staley in the past.

OLB Aaron Lynch

Lynch spent one year with Staley as his coach in 2018 with the Bears, playing 13 games with three starts. He recorded three sacks, eight QB hits, one interception and 16 total tackles that year, which are admittedly not overly impressive numbers.

Lynch isn’t a prolific pass rusher, but rather a better run defender at 6-5, 285 pounds. He fits best on the strong side as a left outside linebacker, which is where Clay Matthews currently resides.

No one is saying Lynch would solve the Rams’ issues at outside linebacker, but he wouldn’t be a bad depth piece as he could probably play defensive end in sub-packages, too.

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Denver Broncos, soon-to-be free agent DL Derek Wolfe ‘not trying to break the bank’

He would like to be paid fairly and wants to return to Denver. But could Arizona be a good landing spot?

The Arizona Cardinals need to add talent on the defensive line. They will most assuredly try and bring in players in free agency. A potential target who makes some sense for Arizona isn’t looking for a big payday.

Denver Broncos defensive lineman Derek Wolfe is coming off the final year of his four-year, $36.7 million contract. He turns 30 years old this offseason and played under Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph when he was head coach in Denver for two seasons.

Wolfe has been productive and knows the defense. He also is not looking for a big payday. He isn’t going take a cheap deal, though.

“It’s about being fair, that’s what it’s about,” Wolfe said last month, according to Broncos Wire managing editor Jon Heath. “I’m not trying to break the bank anywhere. If I have to go somewhere else, I’m not trying to break the bank there either. It’s all about what’s fair. I’m not trying to be top of the market and I’m not trying to be bottom of the market either.”

He would like to stay but understands the business of the league.

Wolfe had a career-high seven sacks in 12 games in 2019 before an elbow injury landed him on injured reserve in December. He also had 34 tackles and 12 quarterback hits, as well as a forced fumble.

Perhaps the Cardinals can get Wolfe on a deal comparable to the one they gave Corey Peters when he was going to turn 30. He got a three-year, $12 million contract extension. Could the Cardinals get him away from Denver on a three-year, $16 million deal?

Wolfe is turning 30 and he has ended the season on injured reserve two of the last three seasons, but he was as productive as ever in his career last season and would be a definite upgrade to what they had for most of last season.

That combined with his familiarity with the defense the Cardinals run might make him an interesting potential target once free agency begins.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 255

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Ep. 254

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Derek Wolfe, Jamin Pastore donate $1M to high school alma mater school district

Derek Wolfe helped contribute toward a $1 million donation used to improve Beaver Local Schools’ athletic facilities and football stadium.

Beaver Local Schools is honored to announce that Derek Wolfe and Jamin Pastore are donating $1,000,000 to assist the Beaver Local School District in making upgrades to their athletic facilities at the current football stadium. #blyoumatter @Derek_Wolfe95 @Broncos pic.twitter.com/osfp4jV865

— Beaver Local Schools (@Beaver_Local) January 7, 2020

Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe and JP Capital Management president/CEO Jamin Pastore returned to their high school alma mater this week to donate $1 million toward the school district’s athletic facilities and football stadium.

Wolfe and Pastore both played football at Beaver Local High School.

“These two Beaver Local alumni have become like brothers through the years, a brotherhood that began on the football field,” Beaver Local Schools superintendent Eric Lowe said in a statement, via DenverBroncos.com. “Jamin was returning from Duke University during the summer to help with youth football speed camps when he met Derek.

“The two have bonded over their love of football and our local community. They look forward to giving back to the athletic program that served as such a positive influence in their lives.”

If Wolfe and Pastore each donated $500,000, that would represent 6.25% percent of Wolfe’s $8 million base salary for the 2019 season. Wolfe is about to become a free agent in March — he would like to re-sign with the Broncos and finish his career in Denver.

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Broncos DE Derek Wolfe wants a fair contract: ‘I’m not trying to break the bank’

Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe isn’t “trying to break the bank” on his next contract.

After completing the final season of a four-year, $36.7 million contract, Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. The 29-year-old defensive lineman knows he’s not going to get a monster contract and he doesn’t expect one — he doesn’t want to sign a bargain offer, either.

“It’s about being fair, that’s what it’s about,” Wolfe said on Dec. 30. “I’m not trying to break the bank anywhere. If I have to go somewhere else, I’m not trying to break the bank there either. It’s all about what’s fair. I’m not trying to be top of the market and I’m not trying to be bottom of the market either.”

Wolfe was selected by Denver in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft out of Cincinnati. He recorded a career-high seven sacks in 12 games last season before suffering an elbow injury.

Wolfe hopes to re-sign with the Broncos but he understands it might not work out that way.

“I want to retire here, but I also don’t want to seem desperate,” Wolfe said. “It’s one of those things where I’ve said it so many times before, this is a business.

“The business has to do what’s best for the business. If what’s best for the business is keeping me here, then I’m ecstatic about that. If what’s best for the business is me leaving, that sucks, but it is what it is. It’s a business.”

Wolfe has totaled 299 tackles and 33 sacks over the last eight years.

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Broncos make 2 roster moves

The Broncos claimed center Patrick Morris off waivers from the Steelers and placed defensive end Derek Wolfe (elbow) on injured reserve.

The Denver Broncos claimed offensive lineman Patrick Morris off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers and placed defensive lineman Derek Wolfe (elbow) on injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday.

Morris (6-3, 300 pounds) is a first-year center from TCU who spent his rookie season on Pittsburgh’s practice squad and dressed for two games this year. Morris earned first-team Academic All-Big 12 Conference honors three times during his time with the Horned Frogs before signing with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent last year.

Morris will add more depth on the offensive line with guard Ron Leary in concussion protocol. When Leary left last week’s game, Austin Schlottmann filled in for him at guard. Schlottmann is also Denver’s backup center so the team needed to add depth in case Leary does not play in Week 14.

Wolfe (6-5, 285 pounds) totaled 34 tackles and a career-high seven sacks in 12 games this year before suffering a season-ending elbow injury. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

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Broncos will place DE Derek Wolfe on injured reserve

Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe will be placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury, ending his season.

The Denver Broncos will place defensive end Derek Wolfe on injured reserve with an elbow injury, multiple media outlets reported Monday. Wolfe injured his elbow during Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Wolfe said the injury “doesn’t look good” after the game on Sunday evening and indicated to media members that he dislocated his elbow, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Wolfe posted a photo of the play the injury happened on his Twitter page (warning: the image is gruesome).

Before leaving the game, Wolfe totaled five tackles and two sacks. In 12 games this season, Wolfe racked up 34 tackles and a career-high seven sacks. That’s a big jump from the 1.5 sacks he totaled last year and the two sacks he recorded in 2017.

Wolfe was selected by Denver in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft out of Cincinnati. He is scheduled to become a free agent in March.

After placing Wolfe on IR, the Broncos will have an open spot on the 53-man roster.

In related injury news, offensive guard Ron Leary suffered a concussion against the Chargers and will enter the league’s concussion protocol. Broncos cornerback Duke Dawson did not play Sunday after suffering a concussion last week. Leary may also be in danger of missing a game.

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