Buzz: Broncos may be interested in Deon Grant

New York Giants safety Deon Grant looks to throw a pass during NFL football practice Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. Â (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

The Denver Broncos may pursue free agent safety Deon Grant (6-2, 215 lbs.), according to one NFL insider.  Grant, 33, started in nine games with the New York Giants last season and received a Super Bowl XLVI ring following New York’s 21-17 win over the New England Patriots.

“I’ve heard the Broncos may have interest (in Grant),” ESPN NFL Insider Cecil Lammey Tweeted on Sunday afternoon.   The Giants and Detroit Lions are also reportedly interested in Grant’s services.

Grant was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round (57th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft and spent two years with the Panthers during John Fox‘s tenure in Carolina (2003-’04).  Fox is now the head coach in Denver and Grant is a free agent.  

Over the past two seasons in New York, Grant played in all 32 games (with 17 starts) and recorded 136 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and defended 16 passes.  Grant joined the Giants in 2010 after stints with the Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks.

The Broncos secondary isn’t getting any younger, but Grant could provide solid veteran experience in Denver.  Earlier in the offseason, Brian Dawkins (38) retired and Denver signed fellow veteran Mike Adams (31).  Adams will presumably start across from Quinton Carter (23) in the back-end of Denver’s secondary this season.

Adams and Carter are joined by David Bruton, Rafael Bush, Duke Ihenacho and Rahim Moore as the six safeties currently on the Broncos’ roster.  Bruton has been with the Broncos since 2009, Bush joined the Broncos last season as a rotational defensive back, Inhenacho signed as an undrafted college free agent in April and Moore was drafted by the team in the second round of last year’s draft.

There will be a lot of competition in the secondary during training camp this summer and the acquisition of another safety would add more intensity to the camp battle.  Grant would likely provide special teams depth and become the third safety on Denver’s depth chart if signed.