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Published on 02/09/2012 at Thu Feb 09 12:00.
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Ten Free Agents Broncos Should Target (1/2)

Posted Thu Feb 9th by

The NFL’s 2012 free agency signing period is scheduled to begin on March 14th at 4 (p.m.).  As a primer, we’ll look at five offensive free agents today that we think the Denver Broncos should consider.  Tomorrow, we’ll look at five defensive free agents the Broncos should look to sign.

Name: John Carlson
Height, Weight: 6-5, 251
Position: Tight end
Age, Experience: 27, 4th
College: Notre Dame

 

John Carlson missed the entire 2011 season with a shoulder injury after catching 137 passes for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns from 2008-2010 in Seattle.  If the Seahawks let Carlson walk, the Broncos may be interested in adding depth to their tight end position.  With the team using lots of two-tight sets and tight ends that are asked to block as often as go out for a pass, the Broncos can always use more tight ends — especially when they are an upgrade, at an agreeable price-tag.

 

Name: Mike Tolbert
Height, Weight: 5-9, 243
Position: RB/FB
Age, Experience: 26, 5
College: Coastal Carolina

 

Mike Tolbert is a powerful runner that would provide a fantastic complement to Willis McGahee in Denver’s backfield.  Last season, quarterback Tim Tebow led the team with six rushing touchdowns (McGahee came in second with four).  The Broncos need a hard-nosed power back that can punch it in from a few yards out.  Over the past four years, that’s exactly what Tolbert has done in San Diego, scoring 21 touchdowns since 2010.  With receiving option Knowshon Moreno possibly headed out of Denver, the Broncos may be in need of a third-down running back this season.  Tolbert fits the bill perfectly.

Name: Mackenzy Bernadeau
Height, Weight: 6-4, 308
Position: Offensive Guard
Age, Experience: 26, 5
College: Bentley

 

Last season, the Broncos had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, but they lacked depth in the trenches.  With Chris Kuper recovering from a knee injury, the Broncos would be wise to bring in some veteran depth to the position.  Bernadeau has started in twenty games since 2008 and played under John Fox and Mike McCoy in Carolina.

Name: Shaun Hill
Height, Weight: 6-3, 220
Position: Quarterback
Age, Experience: 32, 10
College: Maryland

 

Shaun Hill is a veteran quarterback that could back-up Tim Tebow and give the team depth at the quarterback position.  Having a veteran in camp is always a good idea, and Hill’s not the type of player that would cause fans to rise up against the starter in favor of the young and dashing fan-favorite second-string quarterback.  Expect the Broncos to bring in a veteran quarterback this off-season, Shaun Hill, or someone else.

Name: Early Doucet
Height, Weight: 6-0, 212
Position: Wide receiver
Age, Experience: 26, 5
College: LSU

 

Early Doucet is a young receiver with loads of potential.   With receivers Eddie Royal and Matthew Willis about to become free agents, the Broncos will likely lose at least one receiver this off-season. In 2011, Doucet started in six games in Arizona and hauled in 54 passes for 689 yards and five touchdowns.  A trio of Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Early Doucet in Denver would be a young group with an extremely high ceiling.

What are your thoughts on the players mentioned above?  Who do you think Denver should target?  Watch for our five defensive players we think Denver should target tomorrow!

  • http://twitter.com/DaytonaDon1 Don Kluth

    very interesting and can be seen happening on a few fronts

  • Guest

    I normally despise anyone coming from the Chargers but I like the Tolbert scenario.  Doucet would be be a good signing as well…

  • Anonymous

    I agree.  Good article.  I would be happy if we could pick up these guys.  Wont break the bank and are solid players that have the potential to do more.

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    Doucet became available yesterday I think. A Shaun Hill signing would indicate that the Broncos want to move away from what they had established last season with Tebow. I don’t know that too many fans would be happy with that.

    As for running backs, I would go all in, in the event that Brandon Jacobs becomes available. I think that if Marshawn Lynch is allowed to test free agency that he is as good as a Bronco though.

  • kircus made my tuna melt

    Early Doucet is awful.  

  • Kircus Made My Tuna Melt

    Doucet had so many drops and attitude issues this past year.  Every one was trashing him.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    ”
    I think that if Marshawn Lynch is allowed to test free agency that he is as good as a Bronco though.”  Somebody book the Dave & Busters in advance.

  • BroncosFan13

    I love the John Carlson suggestion, he would be a valuable weapon for Tebow. The Broncos need a pure pass catching TE, Carlson is the that guy.

  • Rsample23

    Back up qb for sure and whos gonna Dawkins spot if
    He cant come back

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    Lynch would come at a fancy price tag.

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    Safety suggestion coming tomorrow!

  • Anonymous

    Wideout is pointless unless we’re getting a new QB.

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

     Meany! Tebow works hard everyday so he’ll be a Hall of Fame QB someday. Hater!

  • Allan

    I disagree with all of these pick ups. Denver has to many bargain price players. Denver needs STUDS, not people who once they have given their all just get you close and something to hope for next year. Denver needs to get Ray Rice or Matt Forte no matter what the cost. Landry at safety, Still at defensive tackle, and hope for a game changing wide receiver in rounds 2-7. Lance Briggs would be the pick at middle linebacker. If KC falters in free agency and lets go of Bowe then he is the pick at WR. If these pick ups  push the salary cap then decisions need to be made, trade Dummerville’s enormous contract for another pass rush specialist. 

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

     Andy Reid?

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    Allan–

    First, Elvis Dumervil’s name is spelled “D-U-M-E-R-V-I-L”.

    Secondly, Ray Rice will be re-signed by the Ravens and Forte is likely to be re-signed by the Bears, as well.  If Chicago does not bring back Forte, there will be a very high market for him.

    Bringing in Lynch (as Ian mentioned above) or Mike Tolbert would be more practical.  This isn’t Madden.

    Thirdly, Landry has been battling through injuries the past several seasons and would not sure-up the safety position.  With that said, I wouldn’t mind Denver taking a chance on him, but only if the price is right. 

    Finally, Lance Briggs is a pure outside linebacker, not a 4-3 middle linebacker. 

    My defensive free agent players that I like are coming tomorrow.  Although, you probably won’t like them either.  They are young and somewhat cheap as well.

  • Braden

    I know this may not be very popular but..
    Peyton Manning>Tebow
    Lets get Peyton!

  • Hansen

    Its probably not very popular but I must admit I’ve been thinking the same thing about Dumervil.  Not sure on how the $ would work out, but Calais Campbell (25 yrs old) is a FA and Mario Williams probably wont be in Houston next year (he is 27 yrs old) though Williams will be pricey. 

    I can’t help but contemplate what the market for Elvis is.  Could you get two quality picks?  Two good additional picks in, say, the first three rounds would help a lot. 

  • Hansen

    Regarding the hardworking Future HOF’er, last year while Newton and Ponder were in Tampa getting tutoring and even the mighty Brady Quinn hired a tutor The Teebs was selling books. 

    He needs to keep working hard, and smarter. 

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

     Not sure if you realized it or not, but I was being sarcastic.

  • Hansen

     I know Jon.  Sometimes that name just makes me cranky.  It was an impulsive post on my part.  Its all good.

  • Hansen

     I know Jon.  Sometimes that name just makes me cranky.  It was an impulsive post on my part.  Its all good.

  • 5280

    i have to say i completely agree with allen on his view on how denver should approach FA.  everyones all hot to say they should go best player available in the draft but for some reason they dont apply the same principle to FA.  Tolbert i agree with, but the rest are fair/decent players that wont get us where we want to be.  Jon, you have NO IDEA who will be available when things start getting hot in FA. Ray Rice might be there and so might Forte. no body can say for sure whats gonna happen until it happens. but to say that Denver should settle for mediocre is saying you’ll settle for a mediocre team and i wont do that. they need to bring in the best players available at the positions most crucial and most of need right now. Now i disagree with scrapping Doom. remember that williams was a linebacker last year in a 3-4 system under wade phillips. he’s flexable. Ryan carriker is also a FA. theres a lot of weapons right now. and if we’re talkin Recievers, dont forget marques colston, robert meachem, and obviously vincent jackson and desean jackson. arian foster is also a FA. we got a long way to go fellas. dont rule anything out. 

  • http://www.FromThisSeat.com/ FromThisSeat.com

    Tolbert with Tebow on the running game in the option would be scary. I’ve seen Tolbert straight up flatten linebackers.

  • Anonymous

    By HOF’er do you mean David Hasslehoff replacement on Baywatch?

    You forgot making underwear and sports drink commercials.

  • Anonymous

    You don’t apply draft strategy to FA strategy because of the financial element.  When you draft the best player with the 20th pick you already know what the cost is going to be.  There is no bidding war and the most that 20th pick can do is sit out the season.  So no you cannot apply the same principles to FA that you do in the draft.

  • NMBronc

    Tolbert>Lynch both in production and $

    We have a young group of TE’s in Rosario and Thomas, so I not bring in Carlson.

    OL depth is fine, but we do not want Douchet.

  • NMBronc

    Tolbert>Lynch both in production and $

    We have a young group of TE’s in Rosario and Thomas, so I not bring in Carlson.

    OL depth is fine, but we do not want Douchet.

  • Hansen

     Yes, books, underwear and drinks!  Thanks jd!   

  • 5280

    in that case jdk whhy not just keep what we got with lance ball and jeremiah johnson? if money is such an issue then you mine as well take the cheapest route and keep the players you got. obviously, to get better as a team, you need to spend money. go hard or go home. get the best you can get or dont get anything. its the same principle. if arian foster doesnt get signed back by the texans, then we should go for him. of course thats not gonna happen and the texans will probably resign him, but you get my point. 

  • Andy

    We’re not getting Ray Rice. Forte is good, but will he recover from his injury.

    We need playmakers in the draft. ala Chris Rainey, LaMichael James, Marvin McNutt.

    Regarding the FA’s listed. I’d take take all of these guys. Only guy I question is Early.

  • Anonymous

    Can I get an Amen?!?

  • Anonymous

    Really Jon the hater crap again??? I thought you were a writer hear, doesn’t that mean being objective. I hate the hater crap, get over yourself… How old are you? 12?

  • Anonymous

    I didn’t get your sarcasm at all. I am relieved to hear that, my apologies sir. The whole guys calling people “haters” for not wanting to have Tebows children just gets me fired up too. I hate being called a hater for real and true criticism, such that Herc laid out.

  • Anonymous

    No I did NOT like this on purpose!!!

    Get rid of Doom… You should be ashamed of even thinking that…lol. NO WAY…

    And this is coming from some that says give out big contracts, I hope you realize how badly you have contradicted yourself???

  • Anonymous

    Right?!?

  • Anonymous

    Payton over Tebow? Yes, he is WAY better. But with Payton there is NO longevity.

    Therefore I would say NO…

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    No problem.  I am a write here, but that doesn’t mean I’m not also  a fan… I have my opinions, as do the readers.

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    I tell people that I am younger than I look but older than I act.

  • Anonymous

    Yep you do and I have read them. I just hope the “hater” part was the sarcasm ;-)… That would be like if you were to criticize, we’ll say Elvis and I responded with you suck and your just a “hater”… Hate the “hater” crap. That isn’t an opinion at all, its name calling, Like 12 year olds do. LMAO… yes I’ve slung a 12 year olds name calling here before, maybe thats how I know…lol.

  • Anonymous

    What is your point?  Other than you foolishly assume that by not going after the biggest dollar free agent you’re doing nothing to improve the team.  How many big dollar free agents were busts for the Broncos?  Too many to list.  Would you have broken the bank to get Haynesworth?  In free agency you go for the player that gives you the best bang for the buck.  You get my point?