Paton happy with his start
Team signed CB Darby, RB Boone; re-signed DE Harris and kept LB Miller
Nearly a quarter-century into his NFL career, Broncos general manager George Paton found himself in a new role this week when free agency kicked off: Running the show.
But…
“Not much different from when I was in Minnesota,” Paton said during an in-person news conference Thursday to introduce cornerback Ronald Darby and running back Mike Boone. “I really like the way the people in the building work together. It is great collaboration. I thought it was a smooth process and really positive.”
The Broncos believe they are off to a positive start, having signed Darby (Washington) and Boone (Minnesota), re-signed defensive end Shelby Harris and picked up the contract option on outside linebacker Von Miller. Even though they have ample cap space, Paton and Co., have been active without being reckless.
“It is tempting to go out and go crazy in free agency, but that doesn’t work very often,” Paton said. “We’re measured. We’re very calculated. We know our weaknesses and needs and we tried to attack them.”
In Darby, the Broncos feel they have a new No. 1 corner. In Boone, they feel they have a potential No.
2 tailback and definitely a special teams core player. And more help is likely on the way as the marketplace settles down.
“This is the start,” Paton said. “We have a long way to go to build this football team.”
Paton hit on several topics during a question-andanswer session:
Miller's return
What’s the story: Paton informed Miller on Monday night he was picking up his $7 million option instead of creating more than $13 million in salary cap space by moving on from the franchise’s all-time sack leader. Paton said retaining Miller was a “priority. We were going to try and do that any way we could.” But entering his age-32 season and missing all of 2020 with an ankle injury, what does Miller have left?
Paton said: “The tape I watched, he still had the juice before he got injured. … He’s a special pass rusher. You look at some of the great pass rushers of all time, they’re rushing the passer well into their 30s. Von’s been working and I think he’s going to have a Pro Bowl-type season.”
Analysis: If Miller can approach 10-12 sacks, the decision to keep him at his team-high $22.125 million cap charge will be justified.
Simmons' negotiations
What’s the story: Safety Justin Simmons was placed under the franchise tag March 5. The Broncos and Simmons’ agent, Todd France, remained in contact about a long-term deal.
Paton said: “I think we’re making progress. I’m not sure when it’s going to happen, but I do think we’re making progress and that’s been a priority since I got here.”
Analysis: The Broncos are approaching the franchise tag as a place-holder of sorts for Simmons because he is unlikely to sign an offer sheet (which would require the new team to give the Broncos two firstround picks if the contract isn’t matched). The only negative about the lack of a deal is Simmons’ anticipated cap number of $13.729 million takes up a big chunk of the available space.
Quarterback additions
What’s the story: Quarterbacks Andy Dalton (Chicago), Ryan Fitzpatrick (Washington), Mitch Trubisky (Buffalo), Jacoby Brissett (Miami) and Tyrod Taylor (Houston) switched teams this week and it doesn’t appear the Broncos were engaged in talks with any of them.
Paton said: “We evaluated all of the quarterbacks. We like Drew Lock. We have a plan in place. There’s free agency, there’s the draft, there’s trades — a lot of ways to acquire a quarterback. Fortunately, we have a quarterback here and we have a nice quarterback room. We do want to bring in competition. We’re not going to force it. We’re monitoring the market right now.”
Analysis: Does not adding a quarterback this week equal a vote of confidence for Lock? As we stand here, yes. The Broncos weren’t going to overpay for a journeyman quarterback and are instead waiting to see which passers get cut later in the offseason.
Replacing Jackson
What’s the story: The Broncos declined to pick up safety Kareem Jackson’s $1.5 million option on Tuesday, which meant he became a free agent. It also leaves a gaping hole alongside Simmons in the secondary.
Paton said: “We had great conversations with (Jackson’s) agent and tried to get something done. We couldn’t. We left the door open for Kareem to come back. … (Safety) is a priority, it definitely is. We have a long time. There are a lot of free-agent safeties on the market, including Kareem, and we have the draft.”
Analysis: Paton sounded unconcerned about finding a replacement for Jackson. By signing Darby and re-signing Harris, the Broncos have the flexibility in the first round to draft a safety.
Ninth-pick options
What’s the story: The Broncos currently hold the ninth overall pick in the first round (April 29). Last week, Paton traveled to Fargo, N.D., for quarterback Trey Lance’s Pro Day.
Paton said: “(The ninth pick) is in play for a quarterback and yes, I’ll be out at a lot (at Pro Days) looking at all positions, but definitely quarterback.”
Analysis: Paton and Co., must be prepared in case Lance or Ohio State’s Justin Fields fall to them at No. 9. If both are off the board, the Broncos’ offseason work so far could allow them to trade down with a receiver-needy team and draft a cornerback or safety later in the first round.