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TL;DR – We continue building out the roster while getting younger across the board. Drew Lock is given one last chance after putting up decent tape and zero interceptions during his final three starts in 2021. We don’t take a massive risk on a rookie QB in this unrefined draft class and we don’t give up three years’ worth of high draft picks for an older, star veteran with baggage. Sink or swim in 2022 with better personnel on both sides of the ball, then go all-in on a QB we like in 2023.
FREE AGENCY
CAP SPACE: $38.8M
RE-SIGN:
LB Jonas Griffith – ERFA tender ($825k)
QB Brett Rypien – ERFA tender ($895k)
OT Calvin Anderson – original round RFA tender ($2.4M)
LB Kenny Young – 3 years, $13.5M
CUT:
DL Mike Purcell – (post June 1st, saves $3.5M)
SIGN:
QB Tyrod Taylor – 2 years, $10M
Adding a veteran QB with experience and the skill-set for a west coast offense would benefit this young team. Taylor has been a “bridge” QB and mentor for the likes of Baker Mayfield, Justin Herbert, and Davis Mills. Securing the 32-year-old journeyman for two years gives Denver sufficient stability to ride out Lock’s final year of his contract and possibly draft a first round QB in 2023.
TE Jesse James – 2 years, $5M
James would be no more than a TE3, but could see the field fairly often due to his strong blocking ability (especially in an offense that emphasizes outside zone). With Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam struggling with injuries during their young careers, James provides solid depth and is a serviceable receiver if thrusted into game action.
- - - - -
DRAFT
1 (9) – David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Denver desperately needs an injection of explosive talent at the EDGE position. Ojabo brings all-world athleticism and pass-rush prowess that is reminiscent of a young Von Miller. Ojabo, a one-year breakout star with 11 sacks for the Wolverines in 2021, is fairly raw as a prospect but has all the tools to develop into something special at the next level. A healthy Bradley Chubb and a mismatch specimen in Ojabo could terrorize AFC QBs for years.
2 (40) – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
With aging veterans Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan leaving in free agency, Denver continues the youth movement at cornerback with the addition of Gordon with their first of two second round picks. The 2021 All-Pac-12 First Team selection has the versatility and fearless attitude to play both inside and outside. Gordon will have the opportunity to start in the slot right away, but could also slide outside if the injury-prone Ronald Darby misses any time.
2 (64) – Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
Which position has Denver been struggling with longer than QB? You got it… right tackle. GM George Paton has made it known that he wants to find a long-term solution at RT. Mitchell has the fluidity, length, and aggression to thrive in a zone-blocking scheme—but does need to get stronger and fill out his frame at the pro level.
3 (75) – Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida
New head coach Nathaniel Hackett fully intends on running the ball and breaking down our opponents. Pierce, a tough runner with a low center of gravity, brings more thunder to what is already a physically-punishing backfield. He brings solid vision and burst for an outside-zone scheme.
3 (96) – Dohnovan West, C, Arizona State
Lloyd Cushenberry improved from being one of the worst centers in the NFL to performing as a replacement-level starter last season. With the amount of interior pressure that our QBs faced, however, competition is welcomed. West will push for the starting job with his smooth feet and intelligence.
4 (113) – Neil Farrell Jr., DL, LSU
Denver sorely needed a run-stopping presence upfront last year. Farrell can start at nose tackle immediately at 6’4”, 325 lbs. He has the strength, length, and discipline to disrupt running lanes and prevent opposing runners from breaking into the second level.
5 (144) – Damone Clark, LB, LSU
Despite retaining Kenny Young and Jonas Griffith, competent depth is needed at inside linebacker. Last year, injuries exposed just how bad and soft our reserve LBs were. Clark is a plus-run defender and violent tackler, with enough speed and instincts to not be a total liability in the open field.
5 (151) – Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah
Another road-grader is added to the trenches with the selection of Jones. Like Mitchell, Jones comes from a zone-based run scheme and knows how to use his length and nastiness. The 2021 first-team FCS All-American would provide good depth at tackle and could push for the RT job if Mitchell struggles.
7 (248) – Markquese Bell, S, Florida A&M
As Caden Sterns prepares to inherit the starting safety spot from the aging free agent veteran Kareem Jackson, depth and special teams talent is needed. Bell flies around the field and is unafraid to close downhill and make a stop.
DEPTH CHART
QB – Lock, Taylor, Rypien
RB – Williams, Boone, Pierce
WR – Sutton, Jeudy, Patrick, Hamler, Hinton, Williams
TE – Fant, Okwuegbunam, James
OT – Bolles, Mitchell, Anderson, Jones
OG – Risner, Glasgow, Meinerz, Muti
C – Cushenberry, West
DL – Harris, Jones, Farrell (NT), Agim, Spencer
EDGE – Chubb, Ojabo, Reed, Cooper, Mintze
LB – Browning, Young, Griffith, Clark
CB – Surtain, Darby, Gordon (NCB), Ojemudia, Bassey
S – Simmons, Sterns, Johnson, Bell
K – McManus
P – Martin
LS – Bobenmoyer
FREE AGENCY
CAP SPACE: $38.8M
RE-SIGN:
LB Jonas Griffith – ERFA tender ($825k)
QB Brett Rypien – ERFA tender ($895k)
OT Calvin Anderson – original round RFA tender ($2.4M)
LB Kenny Young – 3 years, $13.5M
CUT:
DL Mike Purcell – (post June 1st, saves $3.5M)
SIGN:
QB Tyrod Taylor – 2 years, $10M
Adding a veteran QB with experience and the skill-set for a west coast offense would benefit this young team. Taylor has been a “bridge” QB and mentor for the likes of Baker Mayfield, Justin Herbert, and Davis Mills. Securing the 32-year-old journeyman for two years gives Denver sufficient stability to ride out Lock’s final year of his contract and possibly draft a first round QB in 2023.
TE Jesse James – 2 years, $5M
James would be no more than a TE3, but could see the field fairly often due to his strong blocking ability (especially in an offense that emphasizes outside zone). With Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam struggling with injuries during their young careers, James provides solid depth and is a serviceable receiver if thrusted into game action.
- - - - -
DRAFT
1 (9) – David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Denver desperately needs an injection of explosive talent at the EDGE position. Ojabo brings all-world athleticism and pass-rush prowess that is reminiscent of a young Von Miller. Ojabo, a one-year breakout star with 11 sacks for the Wolverines in 2021, is fairly raw as a prospect but has all the tools to develop into something special at the next level. A healthy Bradley Chubb and a mismatch specimen in Ojabo could terrorize AFC QBs for years.
2 (40) – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
With aging veterans Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan leaving in free agency, Denver continues the youth movement at cornerback with the addition of Gordon with their first of two second round picks. The 2021 All-Pac-12 First Team selection has the versatility and fearless attitude to play both inside and outside. Gordon will have the opportunity to start in the slot right away, but could also slide outside if the injury-prone Ronald Darby misses any time.
2 (64) – Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
Which position has Denver been struggling with longer than QB? You got it… right tackle. GM George Paton has made it known that he wants to find a long-term solution at RT. Mitchell has the fluidity, length, and aggression to thrive in a zone-blocking scheme—but does need to get stronger and fill out his frame at the pro level.
3 (75) – Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida
New head coach Nathaniel Hackett fully intends on running the ball and breaking down our opponents. Pierce, a tough runner with a low center of gravity, brings more thunder to what is already a physically-punishing backfield. He brings solid vision and burst for an outside-zone scheme.
3 (96) – Dohnovan West, C, Arizona State
Lloyd Cushenberry improved from being one of the worst centers in the NFL to performing as a replacement-level starter last season. With the amount of interior pressure that our QBs faced, however, competition is welcomed. West will push for the starting job with his smooth feet and intelligence.
4 (113) – Neil Farrell Jr., DL, LSU
Denver sorely needed a run-stopping presence upfront last year. Farrell can start at nose tackle immediately at 6’4”, 325 lbs. He has the strength, length, and discipline to disrupt running lanes and prevent opposing runners from breaking into the second level.
5 (144) – Damone Clark, LB, LSU
Despite retaining Kenny Young and Jonas Griffith, competent depth is needed at inside linebacker. Last year, injuries exposed just how bad and soft our reserve LBs were. Clark is a plus-run defender and violent tackler, with enough speed and instincts to not be a total liability in the open field.
5 (151) – Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah
Another road-grader is added to the trenches with the selection of Jones. Like Mitchell, Jones comes from a zone-based run scheme and knows how to use his length and nastiness. The 2021 first-team FCS All-American would provide good depth at tackle and could push for the RT job if Mitchell struggles.
7 (248) – Markquese Bell, S, Florida A&M
As Caden Sterns prepares to inherit the starting safety spot from the aging free agent veteran Kareem Jackson, depth and special teams talent is needed. Bell flies around the field and is unafraid to close downhill and make a stop.
DEPTH CHART
QB – Lock, Taylor, Rypien
RB – Williams, Boone, Pierce
WR – Sutton, Jeudy, Patrick, Hamler, Hinton, Williams
TE – Fant, Okwuegbunam, James
OT – Bolles, Mitchell, Anderson, Jones
OG – Risner, Glasgow, Meinerz, Muti
C – Cushenberry, West
DL – Harris, Jones, Farrell (NT), Agim, Spencer
EDGE – Chubb, Ojabo, Reed, Cooper, Mintze
LB – Browning, Young, Griffith, Clark
CB – Surtain, Darby, Gordon (NCB), Ojemudia, Bassey
S – Simmons, Sterns, Johnson, Bell
K – McManus
P – Martin
LS – Bobenmoyer
. As long as we grab both OT and EDGE within the first two rounds, I’ll be happy with that. Of course, there may be FA targets we like— but the OT market is pretty bare and EDGE always ends up with top guys getting bloated contracts.
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