Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
With the selection of defensive tackle Sylvester Williams in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos are now set at that position. Now the focus on the defensive line turns to the end spot, specifically a pass rusher to go along with Von Miller.
It’s possible that the Broncos could try and add one with their remaining five selections over the next two days, but free agency is a more likely option at this point.
There has been no noise in recent weeks surrounding free agent defensive end, Dwight Freeney, but that might be about to change. There are reports that the Broncos are going to jump back into the Freeney sweepstakes once the draft concludes. It’s only this writer’s opinion, but based on a couple of different reports, I would be surprised if Freeney does not sign with the Broncos in the coming days or weeks.
The addition of Freeney would complete the off-season work on a defensive line that is set up to be a strength. With the addition of Williams, the middle of the defensive line is big and athletic. Williams joins a tackle group that includes Derek Wolfe, Terrance Knighton and Kevin Vickerson. All three of those players are north of 300 pounds and will be difficult to move off the line of scrimmage. They should also be better at generating a pass rush up the middle, something the Broncos struggled to do in 2012.
The potential signing of Freeney would give the Broncos another edge pass rusher and would be in a position to excel with the defensive tackles demanding double-teams. Freeney would also benefit from the idea that he would not be asked to play the run and his only job would be to go get the quarterback, something he does very well.
The deal makes too much sense from both sides; the Broncos need a pass rusher and Freeney needs a situation where he is not asked to play every down. The only hurdle is if Freeney continues to demand the money of an every down player. As time passes, however, his value continues to decrease. It would be in his best interest to sign with a team before all of the money is spoken for.
The draft concludes on Saturday night, but something tells me the Broncos have one more move up their sleeve in Freeney.
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