Tag: Mitchell Fraboni

Broncos have 5 ERFAs and 1 RFA ahead of NFL free agency

Ahead of NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos have to make decisions on five ERFAs and one RFA.

In addition to 13 unrestricted free agents, the Denver Broncos will also have five exclusive rights free agents (ERFAs) and one restricted free agent (RFA) in 2025.

ERFAs have no leverage in negotiations. They are players with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expiring contract. Teams can offer their in-house ERFAs one-year, league-minimum contracts.

If an ERFA player is offered a league-minimum tender by his club, he is not eligible to negotiate with other teams. If his original club declines to offer him an ERFA tender, though, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Meanwhile, an RFA is a player with three accrued seasons and an expiring contract. RFAs are eligible to receive a first-round ($7,279,000), second-round ($5,217,000) or a right of first refusal ($3,185,000) tender that lasts for one season.

If the Broncos, for example, place a first-round tender on an RFA and that player signs a bigger contract with another team, that club would have to send a first-round pick to Denver for the player. The same concept applies to a second-round tender, and the right of first refusal tender would give the team a chance to match an offer a player might receive from another club.

If the Broncos decline to place a tender on a restricted free agent, that player would become an unrestricted free agent.

Here’s the full list of Denver’s ERFAs and RFAs in 2025, via OverTheCap.com.

Broncos ERFA and RFA players

  1. TE Lucas Krull (ERFA)
  2. DB Devon Key (ERFA)
  3. OLB Dondrea Tillman (ERFA)
  4. DL Jordan Jackson (ERFA)
  5. CB Ja’Quan McMillian (ERFA)
  6. LS Mitchell Fraboni (RFA)

The NFL’s 2025 negotiating period will run from March 10-12 ahead of the official start of NFL free agency on March 12.

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5 other Broncos players received 2024 All-Pro votes

The Broncos had five players named 2024 All-Pros, and five other Denver players also received votes.

The Denver Broncos had five players named to 2024 Associated Press All-Pro teams on Friday, their most in a single season since 1996.

Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain, right guard Quinn Meinerz and punt returner Marvin Mims were named first-team All-Pros while edge defender Nik Bonitto and interior defensive lineman Zach Allen received second-team All-Pro recognition.

Additionally, five other Denver players also received All-Pro votes.

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles (nine votes), fullback Michael Burton (six), safety Brandon Jones (five), long snapper Mitchell Fraboni (four) and wide receiver Courtland Sutton (one) were also recognized in the process.

Surtain, Bonitto and Mims were also named Pro Bowl starters and eight Denver players were named alternates for the Pro Bowl. Surtain and Mims were also named to the 2024 NFLPA’s All-Pro team.

The Broncos just wrapped up their best regular season since 2015, so it’s no surprise that accolades are pouring in. Up next is a likely Defensive Player of the Year nod for Surtain during “NFL Honors” in February.

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8 Broncos (including Bo Nix) named alternates for 2025 Pro Bowl

Bo Nix is among eight Broncos players who were named alternates for the 2025 Pro Bowl.

The Denver Broncos had three players elected to the 2025 Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Thursday.

In addition to those players, eight other Broncos players were named alternates for the all-star game.

Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz (first alternate), long snapper Mitch Fraboni (first), kicker Wil Lutz (third), tackle Garett Bolles (third), fullback Mike Burton (fourth), defensive lineman Zach Allen (fourth), quarterback Bo Nix (fourth) and safety Brandon Jones (fifth) were named Pro Bowl alternates. They will be candidates to join the Pro Bowl roster if other players drop out.

1. Quinn Meinerz delivers big pancake blocks on a near-weekly basis and his 86.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranks fifth among NFL guards.

2. Mitchell Fraboni was named a PFF second-team All-Pro last season and he had another impressive campaign in 2024. He totaled five tackles on punt coverage after snapping to Dixon.

3. Wil Lutz converted 30 field goals this season, which ranked sixth in the AFC and seventh overall. His 90.9% field goal rate ranked fifth among qualified kickers in the AFC and he was one of nine full-time kickers to go 100% on extra point attempts this fall. Lutz was a perfect 11-of-11 on field goal attempts between 40-49 yards, the best mark at that range this season.

4. Garett Bolles was credited with allowing two sacks this season and his 88.8 pass-blocking grade on PFF ranks fifth in the NFL among offensive tackles.

5. Michael Burton is the No. 1-ranked fullback on PFF this season with an overall grade of 66.8 and a pass-blocking grade of 75.8. Burton is used primarily as a blocker, but he has also picked up six first downs and scored two touchdowns with six carries and 10 receptions this season.

6. Zach Allen has recorded 73 pressures, 8.5 sacks (tied for second among AFC interior defensive linemen), 39 QB hits, 34 hurries, 15 tackles behind the line, one safety and one pass breakup this season.

7. Bo Nix‘s 30 total touchdowns rank fourth in the AFC this season, only trailing Joe Burrow (44), Lamar Jackson (43) and Josh Allen (41). His long of 93 yards ranks third in the NFL and his 24 sacks are eighth-fewest among the league’s 32 quarterbacks.

8. Brandon Jones has totaled three interceptions this fall, tied for fourth-most in the AFC. His 114 tackles are a team-high in Denver. Jones also broke up 10 passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in 2024.

The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2. The NFC defeated the AFC 64-59 last season.

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Broncos pleased with long snapper Mitchell Fraboni

You don’t hear Mitchell Fraboni’s name often, which means he’s doing a good job.

Denver Broncos fans probably haven’t heard Mitchell Fraboni’s name mentioned often this season. That’s usually a good sign for a long snapper as it signals he hasn’t had any blunders in the spotlight.

Fraboni, 28, spent time in The Spring League before getting an opportunity with the Houston Texans and then playing in the USFL. After standing out in spring football, Fraboni joined the Broncos in 2022. He took over as the full-time long snapper in 2023 and hasn’t looked back.

“When you look at a snapper like that, you look at where the ball is located, how tight the spiral is and then the lace location,” special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica said in September. “That also has to do with the holder, so I would say that they are in a good spot. They are in a really good spot. It is further ahead than it was last year at this time, and it’s good to see that. Any time you can see players who are working on things and then it ends up converting, especially on Sundays, it’s really neat to see.”

Broncos punter Riley Dixon serves as the team’s holder and he and Fraboni have had a good connection through the first 13 games of the season. They’ll look to keep the positive momentum going after the bye when the Broncos host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

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Broncos roster series: No. 48, long snapper Mitchell Fraboni

After impressing in the USFL in 2022, Mitchell Fraboni signed with Denver’s practice squad. He later took over long snapper duties in 2023.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fourth-year long snapper Mitchell Fraboni, No. 48.

Before the Broncos: Fraboni (6-2, 223 pounds) went undrafted in 2018 after playing college football at Arizona State. He went to rookie minicamp with the Houston Texans that spring but was not signed. After competing at minicamp with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019, Fraboni played in The Spring League in 2020. He then worked out for the Chicago Bears and was later invited back to Houston and signed with the Texans in 2021. After failing to make Houston’s 53-man roster, Fraboni was picked by the Pittsburgh Maulers in the 2022 USFL draft.

Broncos tenure: After impressing in the USFL, Fraboni was signed to Denver’s practice squad midway through the 2022 season. After playing in four games that year, he took over as the full-time long snapper in 2023.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Near lock. Fraboni is the only long snapper currently on the 90-man offseason roster, so his job appears to be pretty safe. The Broncos might bring in competition this summer, but Fraboni seems likely to continue handling long snapping duties in 2024.

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Will the Broncos sign any UFL players before training camp?

The Broncos signed QB Ben DiNucci from the XFL last year and LS Mitchell Fraboni from the USFL two years ago. Are any UFL signings on deck?

The 2024 UFL season wrapped up on Sunday when the Birmingham Stallions defeated San Antonio Brahmas 25-0 in the championship game. Players from the UFL are now free to sign with NFL teams, and history suggests a flurry of moves could be on the way.

Last year, NFL teams signed 42 USFL players and 50 XFL players (those two leagues have since merged to form the UFL). Two of the most notable signings last spring were kicker Brandon Aubrey going to the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Ben DiNucci going to the Denver Broncos.

The Cowboys and Broncos also turned to spring football in 2022, signing USFL kick returner KaVontae Turpin and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni, respectively. Turpin made the Pro Bowl in his first season in Dallas and Fraboni remains Denver’s long snapper going into his third season.

So, who’s on deck in 2024? Birmingham quarterback Adrian Martinez — this year’s UFL MVP — and St. Louis kicker Andre Szmyt are among the players to watch as NFL teams begin poking around this summer.

If the Broncos end up flying any UFL players to Denver for workouts, we will be tracking any potential signings on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos CB Pat Surtain snubbed by 2023 AP All-Pro Team

Broncos safety Justin Simmons and returner Marvin Mims earned second-team AP All-Pro recognition. Cornerback Pat Surtain was snubbed.

The Associated Press announced its 2023 NFL All-Pro Team on Friday and two Denver Broncos players made the cut.

Broncos safety Justin Simmons and returner Marvin Mims received second-team recognition. Surtain was snubbed.

Surtain (23) totaled 69 tackles, 12 pass breakups and one interception this season. Simmons (30) recorded 70 tackles, eight pass breakups, three interceptions and one sack (he also missed two games due to injury). Mims (21) averaged 26.5 yards per kickoff return and 16.4 yards per punt return this season.

Surtain was named to the NFLPA’s All-Pro Team, and Simmons, Surtain and Mims were all elected as AFC starters for the 2024 Pro Bowl.

Additionally, Pro Football Focus named Denver fullback Michael Burton to its All-Pro Team, and Broncos long snapper Mitchell Fraboni earned a second-team All-Pro nod from PFF.

Simmons and Surtain were named first-team AP All-Pros last season. Denver’s secondary is in good hands with Simmons and Surtain leading the way, despite PS2’s omission this year.

Broncos made 2 roster moves on Wednesday

The Broncos signed defensive lineman Tomasi Laulile and waived long snapper Jack Landherr on Wednesday.

The Denver Broncos made two roster moves on Wednesday ahead of their joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams.

First, the team signed defensive lineman Tomasi Laulile. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of BYU in 2018. Laulile (6-3, 300 pounds) has spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers.

Laulile played in the USFL in 2022 before a stint in the XFL in 2023. He totaled nine tackles and one pick-six while playing for the Arlington Renegades this spring.

To make room for Laulile on the 90-man offseason roster, Denver made a second move and waived long snapper Jack Landherr. That leaves Mitchell Fraboni as the lone long snapper remaining on the roster.

The Broncos also reached an injury settlement with kicker Elliott Fry on Tuesday. Fry has been removed from the team’s injured reserve list and he is now a free agent. Fry previously reverted to IR after he was waived/injured and cleared waivers last week.

Denver will have another joint practice with the Rams on Thursday ahead of their preseason showdown on Saturday night.

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Broncos roster series: No. 48, LS Mitchell Fraboni

Mitchell Fraboni snapped in four games for the Broncos last year while Jacob Bobenmoyer was injured. Now only Fraboni remains on the roster.

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Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year long snapper Mitchell Fraboni, No. 48.

Before the Broncos: Fraboni (6-2, 223 pounds) played college football at Arizona State, winning the starting job midway through his freshman season in 2014. After playing four years with the Sun Devils, Fraboni went undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft. He was invited to a Houston Texans minicamp in 2018 and an Arizona Cardinals minicamp in 2019.

In 2020, Fraboni played a season in The Spring League. Last year, he played for the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL in the spring and was signed to Denver’s practice squad midway through the 2022 NFL season in the fall.

Broncos tenure: The Broncos signed Fraboni last October and he was later promoted to the active roster and snapped in four games while Jacob Bobenmoyer was sidelined by injury. Denver let Bobenmoyer walk during free agency this spring, a sign that Fraboni did a good enough job in 2022 to earn the full-time gig in 2023.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: Fraboni seems very likely to make the initial 53-man roster this summer. If another long snapper hits the waiver wire that the Broncos like, Fraboni could face some competition. For now, though, Fraboni is the only long snapper on the 90-man offseason roster, so he seems to have strong odds to make the team.

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Broncos made big changes on special teams this offseason

The Broncos brought in a new ST coordinator and an assistant HC with a ST background and made changes at punter, returner and long snapper.

Last year, the Denver Broncos’ special teams units were nothing special. Let’s go over some of the “highlights” from 2022.

Not only did they lead the league in punts (96), kicker Brandon McManus also missed the most field goals in a season of his career (8) and rookie return specialist Montrell Washington fumbled five times.

Suffice it to say, the Broncos are in major need of a special teams makeover. During free agency, Denver signed punter Riley Dixon, who returns to the Broncos after most recently playing for the Los Angeles Rams. After signing Dixon, they released Corliss Waitman, who, despite leading the NFL in punts, had one of the shortest punts of the season among qualifying punters who booted at least 25 kicks (57 yards). Comparatively, Dixon’s longest punt in 2022 was 67 yards.

The Broncos also made a change at long snapper, letting Jacob Bobenmoyer walk in free agency. Mitchell Fraboni, who filled in for an injured Bobenmoyer in four games last year, now appears set to become the team’s full-time long snapper in 2023.

In addition, the Broncos also acquired cornerback Tremon Smith, who was a kick returner for the Houston Texans to compete with Washington as a specialist. Will this competition bring out the best in Washington? Or will Denver be looking for another returner in the draft?

This new-look special teams unit has some great potential. It would certainly be nice to rank near the bottom of the league in punts, and near the top of the NFL in return yards. With new special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica and new assistant head coach Mike Westhoff leading the charge, the Broncos should take a big step forward on special teams this fall.

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