NEWSLETTER
The 2022 Broncos went 5-12 and missed the playoffs after trading for Russell Wilson. There are plenty of questions and decisions to make during free agency. The team also has the 29th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after picking up Sean Payton as head coach. Here’s a look at the Denver Broncos free agency situation for 2023.
Denver Broncos 2023 Free Agency Overview
Dre’Mont Jones is expected to hit free agency. The defensive lineman had 6.5 sacks last season. A hip injury ended his season after playing 13 games on the defensive line.
From the offensive line, guard Dalton Risner will draw interest from teams looking for a target to add stability for next season. Risner has started at left guard for the Broncos since his rookie season. He wants to stay with the Broncos but some analysts see him landing with another team.
The team will want to improve the backfield this offseason as multiple running backs are free agents. This includes Latavius Murray who led the team with 703 rushing yards in 12 games. He was signed after Javonte Williams had a season-ending injury and became the primary starter.
General manager George Paton has positions to address on offense and defense after a rough season. The team hopes for a quick improvement to take advantage of having quarterback Russell Wilson and hoping he can stay on the field. He dealt with injuries during his 15 starts for the team.
Unrestricted Denver Broncos Free Agents
To be an unrestricted free agent, there are a couple of qualifications. An NFL player must have four or more years of experience and their contract has to have expired or been voided. They can negotiate with any team without any restrictions or draft-choice compensation. Here’s a list of impending free agents for the Broncos who are unrestricted.
Quarterbacks
None
Running Backs
Mike Boone – RB
Latavius Murray – RB
Marlon Mack – RB
Andrew Beck – FB
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Eric Tomlinson – TE
Eric Saubert – TE
Centers, Guards, and Tackles
Tom Compton – G
Calvin Anderson – T
Cameron Fleming – T
Billy Turner – RT
Dalton Risner – G
Defensive Tackles, Defensive Ends, and Edge Rushers
DeShawn Williams – DE
Dre’Mont Jones – DE
Linebackers
Alex Singleton – LB
Dakota Allen – LB
Cornerbacks and Safeties
Kareem Jackson – SS
Darius Phillips – CB
Special Teams
None
Restricted Free Agents
A restricted free agent is a player who has played for three or fewer accrued seasons and has an expiring contract. The team can assign a tender to the player, which allows them to match any offer the player receives from other teams. The team receives draft compensation if the player signs elsewhere.
2023 NFL restricted free agents for the Broncos
Brett Rypien – QB
P.J. Locke – S
Essang Bassey – CB
Jonas Griffith – LB
Jonathan Kongbo – DE
Corliss Waitman – P
Jacob Bobenmoyer – LS
Salary Cap and Roster
The team will have some cap space to work with as the NFL salary cap is now $224.8 million for the 2023 season. Quarterback Russell Wilson is the highest cap hit for the team at $22 million. Courtland Sutton is second at $18.3 million.
The squad could free up some more money for 2023 NFL free agents if they decide to cut Ronald Darby and Graham Glasgow. These moves would save over $20 million for the team. Defensive line depth will likely be a focus as well as the offensive line and pass-blocking help.
Broncos Free Agency 2023 FAQs
NFL free agency will commence on March 15, 2023. It begins at 4 p.m. eastern time. The date signifies the start of the new league year and the end of all player contracts. Many players are set to hit the market and gain free agency status.
An unrestricted free agent is a player whose contract has expired, and they have no ties to their former team. Starting on March 15, they are free to negotiate with any team in the league without restrictions.
A restricted free agent can be extended what is called a qualifying offer. That doesn’t mean they can’t negotiate with teams around the league. Their current team is allowed to match any offer.
There is a “legal tampering” period that begins on March 13. Teams can talk to certified agents but no signings can be made until free agency is official.
