NFL free agency does not officially start until the new league year begins on March 13 — teams can officially sign pending free agents from other teams on that date.
Two days earlier, the “legal tampering” window will open on March 11, allowing teams to negotiate with pending free agents from other clubs. Teams and players can reach verbal agreements, but no contracts can be officially signed until March 13.
The Denver Broncos have 16 in-house free agents who will be allowed to negotiate with other teams starting one week from today. Denver can prevent some of their in-house free agents from hitting the open market by giving contract extensions to select players before March 11.
Not everyone will stick around, though. Some players the Broncos will choose to let walk, and other players will be too costly for Denver (the team is about $14 million over the salary cap at the time of publication).
So, which players will the Broncos re-sign? Check out our stay or go predictions for Denver’s 2024 free agent class below.
1
C Lloyd Cushenberry
The Broncos would probably love to bring Cushenberry back, but it’s easy to imagine them being outbid by other teams.
Prediction: GO
2
LB Josey Jewell
This one is tough to predict, and Jewell’s market might be the deciding factor. The Broncos are bringing back Alex Singleton in 2024 and Jonas Griffith will return from injury, so Denver might be OK with losing Jewell. If there’s not a big market for Jewell, though, the Broncos could bring him back on a one-year budget deal.
Prediction: GO (depending on interest)
3
K Wil Lutz
Broncos coach Sean Payton seems unlikely to let Lutz walk in free agency after he traded a draft pick to acquire the kicker last year.
Prediction: STAY
4
TE Adam Trautman
Another player that Payton gave up a draft pick to acquire, Trautman seems likely to remain in Denver. The tight end probably won’t generate a lot of buzz on the open market, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for the Broncos to re-sign him.
Prediction: STAY
5
DB P.J. Locke
Given the injury history of Caden Sterns, re-signing Locke should be a priority for the Broncos. It’s possible that Denver’s opening-day starters at safety could be Justin Simmons and Locke in 2024.
Prediction: STAY
6
DL Mike Purcell
Purcell is a solid defensive lineman, but he’s getting older and Denver’s interior defensive line struggled to stop the run last season. The Broncos can probably find a younger, cheaper replacement.
Prediction: GO
7
FB Michael Burton
Burton played well on offense and on special teams in 2023, but Nate Adkins will be a cheaper option in 2024. If the Broncos are confident Adkins is ready to step into the fullback job full-time, they team could let Burton walk.
Prediction: GO (toss-up depending on Adkins)
8
CB Fabian Moreau
Moreau came out of nowhere to start 11 games in the place of a struggling Damarri Mathis last year, but the Broncos surely do not want to count on him as a starter in 2024. If Denver re-signs Moreau, he will be a depth option.
Prediction: GO
9
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Humphrey quietly hauled in 13 receptions for 162 yards and three touchdowns last season. He has a decent shot to return as a fifth or sixth receiver.
Prediction: STAY
10
OL Quinn Bailey (RFA)
It won’t be hard to re-sign Bailey because he’s a restricted free agent. The 28-year-old backup swing guard/tackle should return in 2024.
Prediction: STAY
11
OT Cam Fleming
Fleming is an experienced backup swing tackle and he’s not expensive, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him return.
Prediction: STAY
12
CB K’Waun Williams
Following the emergence of Ja’Quan McMillian, the Broncos seem unlikely to bring back Williams after he spent all of the 2023 season on injured reserve.
Prediction: GO
13
LB Justin Strnad
Strnad has made no impact on defense, but he’s been a solid contributor on special teams. It remains to be seen how much Denver thinks those contributions are worth.
Prediction: GO
14
RB Dwayne Washington
Washington is another player who contributed on special teams in 2023. He won’t be a priority for Denver.
Prediction: GO
15
DL Jonathan Harris (RFA)
Harris has started nine games of the last two seasons and he won’t be expensive to bring back as a restricted free agent. He could return as a depth option.
Prediction: STAY
16
LB Ben Niemann
Niemann might be slightly more likely to return if the Broncos do not re-sign Jewell, but he’s not much more than a depth option.
Prediction: GO
