The Denver Broncos just knew they had the QB to lead them back to the playoffs when they signed Case Keenum during the offseason. I mean, could you blame them? Keenum led the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-3 record and a berth in the NFC Championship Game the season before. All that was missing for the Broncos was a signal-caller. Keenum fit that bill.
Things didn't go quite as planned and the Broncos finished the season with a 6-10 record, missing the playoffs yet again. While Keenum had his share of ups and downs, the Broncos front office will need to look elsewhere for production.
The Broncos are solid at their playmaking positions with Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton at wide receiver. On another bright side, they have OROY Phillip Lindsay at running back to lead the charge in 2019. But the question remains if Keenum is the long-term answer or not?
If the Broncos are not sold with Keenum, there are other options available in FA. However, there are still a few other positions they must address as they look to right the ship heading into 2019. Here are three under the radar free agents the Denver Broncos should sign.
3. Jared Cook (TE)
The Broncos have won in the past with great TE play. No matter which direction they may go for QB, whoever is under center will need a big security blanket in the middle of the field. This is where a player like Jared Cook comes into play.
In 2018, while with the Oakland Raiders, Cook caught 69 passes for 896 yards and six touchdowns. With the direction Jon Gruden is taking the Raiders in, he may not want to keep the 32-year old veteran. This will open up an opportunity for the Broncos to pounce on a player who will be in high demand.
Pairing Cook with Sutton, Sanders, and Lindsay will give the Broncos another valuable weapon on the offensive end.
2. Trey Flowers (DE)
While the Broncos may be solid on the offensive side, it's their defense that needs help. Most notably, they need a pass rusher or two. Trey Flowers has played well the last two seasons for the New England Patriots and may demand a huge payday on the open market. If so, then the Patriots Way may turn into a golden opportunity for the Broncos to upgrade their defensive line.
In 2018, Flowers registered eight sacks for the Patriots and he will be an instant upgrade over Derek Wolfe and Adam Gotsis. As a team, the Broncos registered 44 sacks on the year but 26.5 of those came from the LB position and just two players. There needs to be a change.
1. Joe Flacco/Nick Foles (QB)
With reports that the Baltimore Ravens will either release or look to trade Joe Flacco, he should be a top priority for the Broncos. Flacco is not as young as Tyrod Taylor or Teddy Bridgewater but the Broncos are in dire need of experience behind Center. Despite what happened in Baltimore, Flacco still has some mileage left on his tires. One of the drawbacks concerning Flacco is that he's never really had quality receivers to work with. Pairing him with a strong ground game and capable receivers, Flacco could have a Peyton Manning type resurgence.
It's no secret that Nick Foles will be the “it” guy for any team in need of a QB. Foles, fresh off of leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl title, wrote his own ticket last season. However, with Carson Wentz out again, Foles is back at it. After leading the Eagles to a victory in their Wild Card Game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, all he did was up his price on the open market.
With either QB, the Broncos can't go wrong. Both will enter the new season with at least one Super Bowl victory to their name and both have proven they can lead a team out of the abyss. Now, it all depends on how much John Elway is willing to shell out for a leader.
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