For all the chatter about unrestricted free agents the Broncos might add, there will probably be moves regarding players they retain, too.
Last year, the Broncos re-signed six players within a fortnight of the start of the new league year: safety P.J. Locke, kicker Wil Lutz, fullback Michael Burton, tight end Adam Trautman, wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and linebacker Justin Strnad.
A year later, Burton, Humphrey and Strnad are back among the 13 players who, as of March 8, are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at the start of the new league year. Another, long snapper Mitchell Fraboni, is eligible to be a restricted free agent, but is not expected to receive an RFA tender, which would then make him an unrestricted free agent.
A look at the players set to hit the market:
Linebacker Cody Barton
Age: 28
Experience: 7th year
So, Barton presents an interesting case. The Broncos appear poised to take a big swing at inside linebacker. And with Alex Singleton set to return from a torn ACL, there wouldn’t be a starting job available if they target ILB in free agency. Given the paucity of Day 1 starters at off-ball linebacker in this year’s draft, it would seem that some team would want Barton as a starter, even if the Broncos looked elsewhere.
Offensive lineman Quinn Bailey
Age: 29
Experience: 7th year
Can provide depth at four positions on the offensive line, but is coming off a a fractured ankle that cost him the entire season. Side note: He’s one of just four players on the Broncos who remains with the team from Vic Fangio’s first season as head coach, along with P.J. Locke, Courtland Sutton and Garett Bolles.
Fullback Michael Burton
Age: 33
Experience: 11th year
Trustworthy fullbacks aren’t easy to find, and the Broncos know what they’re getting in the 11-year veteran.
Linebacker Zach Cunningham
Age: 30
Experience: 9th year
Broncos look likely to go for a heavy hitter at the linebacker position, and with Drew Sanders and Levelle Bailey around, Cunningham, an in-season pickup, likely isn’t back unless Denver wants a veteran for depth.
Punter Riley Dixon
Age: 31
Experience: 10th year
Among 34 punters with at least 20 punts last season, Dixon ranked 10th in net average, 16th in touchback percentage, 15th in percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line and 22nd in gross punting average. He’s not elite, but he’s not a weakness. But will that be enough for new special-teams coordinator Darren Rizzi?
Wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Age: 26
Experience: 7th year
He’s trusted and the best blocker in the wide-receiver room. He played 50 percent of the snaps last year, although it’s unlikely he would have that many in 2025 if he returns in a similar role, given the expected growth of players such as 2024 seventh-round pick Devaughn Vele. And as his agent told The Denver Gazette, he’s adding some weight for a possible role as a tight end, which would be a natural evolution in his career.
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Defensive lineman D.J. Jones
Age: 30
Experience: 9th year
Zach Allen made the case for the Broncos to re-sign him one day after the season ended, but will the Broncos have better options on the open market?
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Right tackle Matt Peart
Age: 27
Experience: 6th year
Provides experienced depth and started two games last year while also working as an extra tackle in 6-lineman packages. But the team remains high on Frank Crum, and with Alex Palczewski also around, the Broncos may opt for younger depth behind Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey.
Cornerback Tremon Smith
Age: 28
Experience: 8th year
Few on punt coverage in the NFL get down the field faster than Smith, who is indispensable on special teams. If the Broncos don’t bring him back, someone will scoop him up — perhaps the Jets or Rams, since former Denver special-teams coaches Chris Banjo and Ben Kotwica landed in those spots.
Quarterback Jarrett Stidham
Age: 28
Experience: 7th year
The question on Stidham is this: How does he see himself at this stage in his career? Last summer, still aching from the disappointment of losing the quarterback battle to Bo Nix, Stidham said he still believed he was a starter in the NFL.
Linebacker Justin Strnad
Age: 28
Experience: 6th year
With the Broncos likely to make a big splash at inside linebacker, Strnad could return in his old special-teams-centric role as a reserve.
Running back Javonte Williams
Age: 24
Experience: 5th year
General manager George Paton left the door open for a return, but also seemed to be making a sales pitch for other teams to take a chance on the fifth-year running back by pointing out his pass-protection proficiency. His relatively young age will compel some teams to take a second look, despite his struggles to recapture his pre-injury form.
Quarterback Zach Wilson
Age: 25
Experience: 5th year
If an opportunity to compete for playing time arises somewhere else, Wilson seems likely to take it, even though another year with Sean Payton would probably help him long-term.