The Denver Broncos are staring down a pivotal offseason - one that could shape the trajectory of their Super Bowl window for years to come. With a promising young quarterback still on a rookie deal, this is the moment to get aggressive.
Teams in this position don’t wait around. They build.
They push chips in. And the Broncos’ front office knows it.
Denver already has a solid foundation in place. The roster has been carefully constructed, and the results are beginning to show.
But if they want to take the next step - from contender to legitimate championship threat - they’ll need to round out the roster with smart, targeted additions. Positions like running back, tight end, wide receiver, and inside linebacker are all on the radar heading into March, and the Broncos are expected to be active in both free agency and the trade market.
Let’s take a closer look at three potential free-agent targets from AFC playoff teams who could help Denver make that leap.
Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
If the Broncos are looking for a dynamic playmaker out of the backfield, Travis Etienne checks a lot of boxes. The former first-round pick has quietly become one of the league’s more productive dual-threat backs. In 2025, he racked up 1,107 rushing yards and added 36 receptions for 292 yards - numbers that speak to his versatility and consistent impact.
Since entering the league in 2022 (after missing his rookie season due to injury), Etienne has totaled 3,798 rushing yards and 1,338 receiving yards. That’s over 5,100 yards from scrimmage in just four seasons - not bad for a guy who’s still in his mid-20s and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down.
The timing might be right, too. Jacksonville used two draft picks on rookie running backs in 2025, which could signal a shift in their backfield plans. If Etienne hits the open market, the Broncos would be wise to explore what he could bring to Sean Payton’s offense - especially with a young QB who could benefit from a reliable safety valve and explosive runner.
Sheldon Rankins, DT, Houston Texans
Sheldon Rankins brings experience, familiarity, and a whole lot of trench toughness - three things Denver’s defensive front could use more of. A former first-round pick of the Saints back in 2016, Rankins has a built-in connection with Sean Payton. And while that link isn’t everything, it certainly doesn’t hurt when evaluating fit and system familiarity.
This past season, Rankins started all 17 games for the Texans, anchoring a defensive line that held its own against some of the league’s better offenses. He’s stout against the run, but what makes him particularly valuable is his ability to generate interior pressure - a trait that’s increasingly rare and highly coveted in today’s game.
For a Broncos defense that’s already shown flashes of dominance, adding a veteran like Rankins could help solidify the front and raise the unit’s overall ceiling. Depth and disruption up front win games in January, and Rankins brings both.
Devin Lloyd, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Devin Lloyd broke out in a big way in 2025, and if the Jaguars let him walk, he’ll be one of the most intriguing linebackers on the market. A second-team All-Pro nod speaks volumes about the kind of season he had - and the numbers back it up.
Five interceptions, seven passes defended, 81 total tackles, and 10 quarterback hits. Those are impact stats.
But perhaps most impressive? Lloyd allowed just a 57.1 passer rating in coverage - elite territory for an inside linebacker.
Denver has been trying to shore up the ILB spot for a while now. The Dre Greenlaw experiment showed flashes, but he wasn’t consistently on the field.
Lloyd would be a major upgrade - a true three-down linebacker who can defend the run, cover tight ends, and blitz when needed. He’s the kind of player who can elevate the entire middle of the defense.
The Bottom Line
The Broncos aren’t in rebuild mode. They’re in go mode.
With a young quarterback under center and a roster that’s already trending upward, the time to strike is now. Free agency in March offers a chance to fill key gaps with proven talent, and players like Etienne, Rankins, and Lloyd fit the mold of what Denver needs: high-upside, high-impact veterans who can help push this team into the contender tier.
If Denver’s front office continues to build with the same savvy they’ve shown in recent years, this could be the offseason that puts the Broncos firmly back in the Super Bowl conversation.