It’s early to be talking about the 2027 free-agent class, but that’s exactly the kind of planning that can keep a good Broncos team from slipping. Denver has built enough momentum to think bigger now, and the next step is obvious: keep drafting well and keep landing the right veterans when the market opens.
There’s no guarantee every name on a wish list like this will even make it to free agency. A lot can change before next March. But looking ahead, there are a handful of players who would make sense if the Broncos want to patch a few real holes and keep pushing the roster forward.
The biggest defensive swing would come at linebacker, where Denver’s inside group is described as the worst in the NFL right now. That alone makes the position one to watch, especially if the Broncos end up needing an in-season addition.
One possible answer is Daiyan Henley, who could become available if the Los Angeles Chargers head into something like a mini-rebuild. Henley has topped 100 tackles in each of the last two seasons, brings youth to the room, and, according to Pro Football Reference, has allowed just an 83.8 passer rating in coverage.
Another linebacker worth tracking is DeMarvion Overshown. The Dallas Cowboys have a long list of 2027 free agents, and the reality is they won’t keep all of them.
Overshown stands out as their most talented linebacker and broke out as a second-year player in 2024. He has the athletic upside to develop into one of the better linebackers in the league, though availability has been an issue, with double-digit games missed in two of his four seasons.
Up front, the Broncos could look for a cleaner long-term fit at defensive tackle. Kobie Turner is one of the best at the position and has ranked highly in ESPN’s run stop and pass rush rates for defensive tackles so far.
The Los Angeles Rams also have plenty of notable free agents and may not be able to keep everyone. Turner would fit as a replacement for DJ Jones, who is older and not nearly as good.
Jones also has no guaranteed money on his deal after 2026, which makes the move even easier to imagine.
Daron Payne is another name that fits the same idea. He’s older, but he could still be a solid pickup to take over for Jones on the defensive line.
Payne is in his age-29 season, checks in at 6-3 and 320 pounds, and fits the “space eater” mold. He’s missed only three games in nine years and brings both run-stopping and pass-rush upside.
If Denver wants to get aggressive in the secondary, Riq Woolen would be a major target. He could be a potential Riley Moss replacement, and he’s the better player. Woolen has the size to match up with any receiver on the outside, excels in man coverage, and has allowed a 71.4 passer rating in coverage, according to Pro Football Reference.
The offense has its own names to watch, starting with running back Tony Pollard. The Broncos could get out of J.K.
Dobbins’ contract after one year if they want to, and if Dobbins doesn’t start producing more, Denver could find itself with “damaged goods” because of his injury history. Pollard brings the opposite profile: steady production year after year.
He’s had at least 1,000 scrimmage yards in five straight seasons, rushed for at least 1,005 yards in four straight, never averaged under 4.0 yards per carry, and has played in 15 regular-season games or more every year of his career.
At tight end, the bold offensive play would be Sam LaPorta. He’d be a high-end addition to the passing game and one of the better receiving tight ends in football.
Over a 17-game season, he averages 76 catches, 849 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has a 116.3 passer rating when targeted and hasn’t had a drop since the 2024 season.
In Other News...
Broncos Niners Preview Turned Into An Unexpected Live TV Moment
Sundays FOX NFL Sunday pregame show had its usual Broncos-49ers preview rhythm until Terry Bradshaw briefly turned the set into a cleanup scene. While talking through the matchup, Bradshaw accidentally knocked over a cup of coffee, creating a live-TV moment that viewers saw unfold in real time.
Curt Menefee moved in to handle the spill, and Bradshaw kept right on with the analysis without missing a beat. It was a reminder that even on a polished studio show, the most memorable moments can come from the kind of unscripted mishap no one sees coming. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Rookie Jahfari Harvey Just Hit An Important Early Step
Jahfari Harvey is taking an important first step in his early Broncos journey, and for a rookie outside linebacker, that usually means proving he can absorb the details before anything else. Harvey confirmed he has been signed to the practice squad and is currently working on the scout team while learning the playbook, a familiar but meaningful stage for a young defender trying to earn a longer look in Denver.
For a team that is constantly balancing development with immediate needs, getting a rookie into the building and into the system matters. Harveys focus now is on the daily grind of practice work and installation, the kind of behind-the-scenes progress that does not show up on game day but can determine whether a player is ready when the next opportunity arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Catch A Timely Edge Against Banged Up 49ers
The Broncos head into Week 4 with something every team wants this time of year: a cleaner bill of health than the opponent across the field. Marvin Mims Jr. and Jaylen Waddle were full participants all week, giving Denver a healthier look as it prepares to face a San Francisco defense that is already dealing with several key injuries and a long list of players on injured reserve.
Nick Bosa and James Thompson Jr. are among the 49ers who have been out or questionable, which leaves Denver in position to try to press an edge before the game even kicks off. The Broncos are also set to elevate practice squad defender Johnny Walker to help cover for injured Dondrea Tillman, a small but telling roster move that underscores how much both sides are managing before this matchup. [Read more 🡒]