Broncos hosting Earl Mitchell (NT/DT) for free agent visit.

[Den615]

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports free agent DT Earl Mitchell is scheduled to visit the Seahawks, 49ers, Falcons, and Broncos.
He will begin his rounds next week. Mitchell played for new Broncos coach Vance Joseph in Miami last season, so they might be the early favorites. Mitchell will be a quality low-cost signing if he can stay healthy.
Related: Falcons, Broncos, Seahawks, 49ers
Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter Feb 18 - 11:01 AM

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5884/earl-mitchell

Mitchell played NT for Kollar/Phillips in Houston and obviously has a more recent connection with Joseph in Miami. Clearly he is thought of pretty highly around the league with this many visits lined up.

[Murph2432]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5884/earl-mitchell

Mitchell played NT for Kollar/Phillips in Houston and obviously has a more recent connection with Joseph in Miami. Clearly he is thought of pretty highly around the league with this many visits lined up.

I wouldn't mind him in Denver. More depth at the position. However, this man can't stay healthy so I wouldn't give him much to bring him in. More like a prove it type contract

[-Rod-]

He's nearly identical to Vance Walker in terms of body type, a DE that can play some backup NT in the rotation. I guess it's one or the other in free agency, but not both. I hope Elway re-signs Vance Walker because he looked good against the run and offers more pass rush than Earl Mitchell.

[Den615]

He's nearly identical to Vance Walker in terms of body type, a DE that can play some backup NT in the rotation. I guess it's one or the other in free agency, but not both. I hope Elway re-signs Vance Walker because he looked good against the run and offers more pass rush than Earl Mitchell.

He was a starter at nose for Phillips and Kollar in Houston. I wouldn't think signing one rules out the other.

[Murph2432]

He's nearly identical to Vance Walker in terms of body type, a DE that can play some backup NT in the rotation. I guess it's one or the other in free agency, but not both. I hope Elway re-signs Vance Walker because he looked good against the run and offers more pass rush than Earl Mitchell.

Why one or the other? Why not both?

[-Rod-]

He was a starter at nose for Phillips and Kollar in Houston. I wouldn't think signing one rules out the other.

Why one or the other? Why not both?

Mitchell was a starter for one season in Houston: 2013, when Kubiak was fired and the defense was ranked 23rd vs the run. I don't think he's coming to Denver as a starter.

Both Walker and Mitchell are the journeyman type coming from injury. I would not expect Elway to roll the dice on both of them, hoping they will stay healthy. I think it's one or the other and the rest of the depth chart will have younger, healthier players and perhaps a top free agent.

Wolfe is a starter, Crick will likely stay, Gotsis will get another chance. Add a starting NT, which I doubt will be Earl Mitchell. A draft pick is probably coming for the d-line. I don't see enough spots to have both Walker and Mitchell, considering how similar they are and how injury risk is a factor for them.

[ERoyal248]

Kinda agree with Rod.

Not sure they'll sign both Mitchell and Walker.

Crick, backup to one of the DE spots. Gotsis the same. Wolfe starter at one spot. Need one more.

Theres some intriguing NT options in free agency that i'd prefer they add.

And the draft has a load of them too.

[FlowdaBroncoFan]

I'd rather keep Walker, and draft another. I also am starting to fall off the "trade for Richardson" wagon.

[shawinkerpoppin]

So it seems like we should be targeting a starting DE and 2 NT in free agency?

[Butler By'Note]

Exactly what the defense needs, more worker bees who go about their business and don't need to be high profile while doing their job at a respectable level.

[skeeter01]

Exactly what the defense needs, more worker bees who go about their business and don't need to be high profile while doing their job at a respectable level.

You sir have quality comments. I agree with this one, we've disagreed on Trevor in the past.

[FlowdaBroncoFan]

Exactly what the defense needs, more worker bees who go about their business and don't need to be high profile while doing their job at a respectable level.

He can't stay healthy, and has only played an entire season once in his career. I believe Walker will be better for the money, and we can get a better NT via the draft. I truly believe Carlos Watkins is going to be a star in this league, and hope we draft him in the 2nd.

[Alaskajoe]

He can't stay healthy, and has only played an entire season once in his career. I believe Walker will be better for the money, and we can get a better NT via the draft. I truly believe Carlos Watkins is going to be a star in this league, and hope we draft him in the 2nd.

Agree to all for this....but I can see Watkins testing well and either the falcons or Patriots gripping him at the end of the 1st

[Butler By'Note]

He can't stay healthy, and has only played an entire season once in his career. I believe Walker will be better for the money, and we can get a better NT via the draft. I truly believe Carlos Watkins is going to be a star in this league, and hope we draft him in the 2nd.

It's not about this one player, it's about the type of player. Denver needs to get the under the radar guys on defense, there's already enough big personalities, they need glue guys who can do their jobs for modest prices and not worry about who gets credit for what.

Also Denver needs to re-establish a deeper rotation on the defensive line, not every signing is for starters, I don't view this player as a player they would sign as a starter. And I know it's popular here to re-sign Walker, but he's about to turn 30 years old and coming off a missed season due to a torn ACL, even if re-signed I think he's an on the bubble player to make the final 53. Same as Mitchell likely would be. See which one would be cheaper and make a deal.

Oh and Mitchell has actually played 16 games four times during his career, and in his rookie season he played 15, the last 2 have been injury plagued however.

[FlowdaBroncoFan]

It's not about this one player, it's about the type of player. Denver needs to get the under the radar guys on defense, there's already enough big personalities, they need glue guys who can do their jobs for modest prices and not worry about who gets credit for what.

Also Denver needs to re-establish a deeper rotation on the defensive line, not every signing is for starters, I don't view this player as a player they would sign as a starter. And I know it's popular here to re-sign Walker, but he's about to turn 30 years old and coming off a missed season due to a torn ACL, even if re-signed I think he's an on the bubble player to make the final 53. Same as Mitchell likely would be. See which one would be cheaper and make a deal.

Oh and Mitchell has actually played 16 games four times during his career, and in his rookie season he played 15, the last 2 have been injury plagued however.

I agree with the type of guy we want. That's why I want Watkins. He was a team captain IIRC. He seems like a team first guy who was a leader for that Clemson defense. I think we should get someone lime Hankins in FA and Watkins in the draft. That would give us a good rotation, especially if we resign Sly. We need at least guys to man the middle IMO. We need a rotation, and not that 1 dominant guy.

DE is a different story. I want Campbell or Richardson. I want that star on the outside. We need the workers on the inside and stars on the outside. That works for all 3 levels of the defense IMO. That's one reason I want Davis at 20. He is a worker. He thumps people and is a stud in run defense.