The NFL will kick off its new league year with the official start of free agency on March 11. As of this moment, the Broncos have about $26.2 in available cap space, according to Over the Cap.
Which direction should the team go in while looking to keep its Super Bowl window open? The team has several positions of need and should be heavily active in improving the offensive side of the ball to pair with one of the best defenses in the league.
But they will also have to contend with all 31 other teams in the league for some of these players while also trying to decide which of their own free agents to re-sign.
But let's pretend it's a perfect world. A perfect world that is also realistic. In that world, this is how a perfect free agency haul for the team would look ahead of the 2026 season.
Denver Broncos' perfect 2026 free agency haul
Players to re-sign
Justin Strnad, Linebacker
The Broncos should bring back Dre Greenlaw for another season, despite the tempting idea to save $8.1 million against the salary cap by cutting him after June 1st. The team will then need to decide between Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, but Strnad will likely be the less expensive option and Singleton really struggled against the pass this past season.
The Broncos could opt to re-sign both Strnad and Singleton, and that would be fine, but the better idea might be to just bring one of them back and to look for an upgrade elsewhere.
P.J. Locke, Safety
P.J. Locke is a backup and has been at his best in that role when he's called upon to fill in for an injured player, as he did this past season when Brandon Jones went down. He's also great on special teams.
Players to sign from other teams
Nakobe Dean, Linebacker
This would be the upgrade that was previously referenced.
Nakobe Dean is a young, hungry player who can thrive in the right setting. Adding him to one of the league's top-performing defenses would be a terrific move. At only 25 years old, he would be a much younger option than Singleton and he would be much better in defending the pass.
Travis Etienne, Running Back
Remember, this perfect world is a realistic one. With that said, it sounds like the New York Jets plan to do whatever it takes to keep Breece Hall. If there is any chance the Broncos can sign Hall if he is not saddled with the franchise tag, that needs to happen. However, a great pivot would be to sign Travis Etienne from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Etienne is just turned 27 years old and should have plenty of great football left in him. He is a strong, decisive running back who can also help out as a receiver out of the backfield. While Hall is the No. 1 running back on this year's market, Etienne is not far behind.
Cade Otton, Tight End
The Broncos can move on from Adam Trautman, who is also a free agent, and bring in a much better player in Cade Otton. Though that move would cost them quite a bit more, Otton is one of the league's best in terms of a blocking and receiving combination. He would fit perfectly in Sean Payton's offense and give the team a chance to have a legitimate two-headed monster at that position with Evan Engram.
Greg Gaines, Defensive Lineman
Perfect, yet realistic. The realistic options on the defensive line if John Franklin-Myers gets away, which is nearly unanimously expected, aren't great. But adding a veteran like Greg Gaines to the mix to add competition for Franklin-Myers' replacement is a good move.
Gaines would then compete with second-year player Sai'vion Jones,Eyioma Uwazurike and Jordan Jackson for that spot. The former fourth-round pick has 14.5 career sacks with the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dillon Radunz, Guard
Adding to the offensive line may not be seen as a pressing need, but it's something Sean Payton always looks to do. He said as much in a press conference at the NFL scouting combine. So, expect the team to do that.
The Broncos have a good offensive line, but adding experienced depth is something all good teams should do. These need to be players who can be impactful when called upon and former second-round pick Dillon Radunz, who has played both tackle and guard at the professional level, would be an affordable option to add to the mix.
The Broncos saw Ben Powers go down to injury last season and the next man up, Matt Peart, went down the very next week. That thrust Alex Palczewski into the starting lineup and while he played well, the Broncos could look to bolster their depth.
The team can save $3.2 million against the salary cap by cutting Peart. The Broncos could then use that money to sign a guy like Radunz.
Players to trade for
Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver
A.J. Brown, like Breece Hall, would be the best overall option. But there is a question as to whether the Eagles even want to deal with them and even if they do, the Broncos would have to negotiate with Howie Roseman, one of the craftiest general managers in the league.
It might be easier to obtain a guy like Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins, who are in complete rebuild mode. Waddle is still just 27 years old and one of the fastest wide receivers in the NFL. The Broncos could add him to their wide receiver group and make him the No. 1 option with Courtland Sutton right behind him.
MORE: Broncos' recent decision on running back should not signal end of tenure with team
If the Broncos can get Waddle for their first-round pick (No. 30 overall), that would be a great move.
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