By Jordan Long
The Denver Broncos decided to cut defensive end Jurrell Casey after one season. This frees up about $11.9 million for the salary cap this offseason. Denver could use that money to sign other free agents.
Casey was traded to the Broncos from the Tennessee Titans on March 18th, 2020 for a 7th-round draft pick. Denver hoped Casey was going to be the answer to help pressure the quarterback and stop the run. Prior to coming to Denver, Casey had 51 sacks in his career including 10.5 in 2013. Denver anticipated a big year for Casey.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Casey appeared in 3 games for the Broncos. He was unproductive with 14 tackles. Casey didn’t record a sack for the first time in his career but had 2 quarterback hits. He missed most of the year because he tore his biceps during week 3’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Broncos needed to make this move. Casey showed he didn’t fit in the Broncos’ defensive system. The Broncos don’t owe him any money on his contract, freeing up money. Casey has his chance to sign with any team or go back to Tennessee where he flourished.
With this move, the Broncos have around $42 million to spend in free agency. Some of that will go to safety Justin Simmons with the franchise tag, assuming they can’t reach a long-term contract with Simmons. The Broncos need to re-sign defensive end Shelby Harris. He could want more than $2 million he was paid last year. Denver needs to find a way to keep Harris because he might be their best defensive end on the team.
Once those two moves are done, Denver has options in free agency. They could look to improve the offensive line. If General Manager George Paton decides the offensive line doesn’t need work, he will look at other areas. One might be cornerback. There are plenty available including veterans Patrick Peterson and Josh Norman. Of course, Denver could use the #9 pick on a cornerback to fix the need.
Denver may consider adding linebackers to the core. Denver needs more than Von Miller and Bradley Chubb to blitz the quarterback at that position. Denver could look to improve at linebacker with Melvin Ingram and Matt Judon.
These are just a few of the names Denver could mull over to improve their team. The Broncos are hoping to be better in 2021. It will start in free agency and then the NFL Draft. Paton has his work cut out for him to turn the Broncos into a winning team once again.
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