The Denver Broncos' defensive line was not the solid unit that it was expected to be before the 2023 season started. The D-line failed to meet expectations, and the Broncos hit 2024 with some big holes to fill.
The offseason free-agent acquisition of Zach Allen, combined with the previous year's big signing, D.J. Jones, and run stuffer Mike Purcell, appeared to be a formidable front, but the Broncos could not stop the run or generate much of a pass rush from the interior all year.
The Broncos will need to bring in other players this offseason, whether the team likes it or not. Purcell and rotational-player-turned-starter Jonathan Harris will be unrestricted free agents.
What are the Broncos' options, beyond the draft, to upgrade and bolster (at worst) the defensive line? Let's examine.
In-House Decisions/Options
Rumors abound that Jones could be a cap casualty. He has a $13 million cap hit in 2024, and releasing him will give the Broncos $10 million in relief that the team desperately needs.
The other option would be to attempt to release and re-sign Jones. Unfortunately, he was not a great player this past season, and the team may want to part ways altogether.
Releasing Jones would leave Matt Henningsen and Elijah Garcia as the only two players to project with Allen in 2024. Both are nice rotational pieces, but neither are starting-caliber.
The Broncos will need the draft and free agency to bolster this defensive unit. With little to spend during the frenzy, the front office will need to pick some players who have yet to break out and hope that they will in the Mile High City.
Free-Agent Options
Javon Kinlaw is a player who has not lived up to his draft status and could be had at a low cost. He currently is a rotational player on the San Francisco 49ers defense and his price tag would likely be around $5 million per season.
Kinlaw is entering the age when defensive linemen tend to have their best years. Going into his peak seasons and having experience on the solid Niners defense could be a boon for the Broncos. It is a risk, but with the state of the Broncos' salary cap, the team can’t afford to spend big money on a sure thing.
Fortunately, this season there will be a large crop of unrestricted free agents along the defensive line hitting the market. There are plenty of young, inexpensive options and also some older players who may come cheap because they are past their prime.
Familiar names like Linval Joseph and Al Woods (if he can return from his Achilles injury) are a couple of those older players who may want to continue their playing careers a tad longer.
Bottom Line
Whatever the Broncos do, it will be rough putting together a really good defensive line for 2024. Denver will need some luck in the draft, a large jump in production from young players already on the team, and some wise decisions in free agency.
This coming season, the Broncos can't be as bad against the run as they were in 2023 if they hope to improve on their 8-9 finish.
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