Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - SURPRISE: Predicting the Broncos' Free Agency Haul in 2026

Starting point is 00:00:00 We're putting together an off-season haul to get the Denver Broncos a Super Bowl on today's episode, Locked-on Broncos. You are Locked-on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. We are just days away from the Denver Broncos being able to add impact players to the roster, at least on paper, as the legal negotiating period is set to take place on Monday, March 9th, with free agency kicking off on Wednesday, March 11th, and we expect the Denver Broncos to be aggressive. We'll see if they bring back their own guys,

Starting point is 00:00:42 if they look to the outside for all of their big time additions, but on today's episode Lockdown Broncos, we are going to be solely focusing on players from the outside that they could be looking to bring in. So we're going to make some predictions of some players that they could target on this show today, not only in free agency, but maybe we talk about some trade options as well.

Starting point is 00:01:04 Broncos country. Thanks so much for tuning in today and every single day. My name is Sarah Beninger. I'm the co-host here of Lockdown Broncos as well as the site expert at predominantly orange.com. And we're excited for free agency festivities, all of the above. You can bank on Lockdown Broncos being there for you every single step of the way. Hit subscribe if you haven't already done so today right here on the Lockdown Podcast Network, the number one sports podcast network. Let's predict an offseason hall for the Denver Broncos. know this team's needs, right? They're missing starters at running back, tight end, linebacker. Also, plenty of rumors over the last year or so that they've been looking at wide receiver upgrades.

Starting point is 00:01:44 And I think it's fair to expect that they'll be doing the same here again in the 2026 off season, although not nearly as much buzz about that as there has been in previous years. Maybe there's something to that Broncos country. But let's start with the running back position, right? Because we expect the Broncos to take a swing at running back. You feel like this team is poised. you know, maybe the top of the market is an option, but I also think all options are on the table when it comes to running back, right? And that includes bringing back J.K. Dobbins in some capacity, whether it's in tandem with somebody else or maybe the Broncos just don't like the market for some of these other guys.

Starting point is 00:02:21 There's been reports and rumors that they've been interested in Brees Hall and that Brees Hall is interested in them, that the Broncos essentially forced the New York Jets hand when it comes to the non-exclusive franchise tag. I can't necessarily even say you rule out the idea of Reese Hall. If the Broncos are that enamored with his skill set in their offense, could swing a trade with the Jets. It's not impossible. Well, let's focus on free agents because right now the top of this market, it's Kenneth Walker, Super Bowl MVP.

Starting point is 00:02:50 Then you've got Travis ETIN, former first round pick of the Jaguars and an experienced veteran who brings a lot to the table. And then Tyler Algier, who kind of represents this intriguing upside option. I think for my official predictions, I'm going to go with Tyler Algier. I think the Broncos will be interested in Kenneth Walker, but I think also they might be just helping drive up the price of that position group. For what reasons? We'll find out when the free agency festivities get started.

Starting point is 00:03:19 But I don't necessarily know that the Broncos will be in on somebody like Kenneth Walker at 14 to 16 million per season. Maybe I'm wrong about that. Maybe they will be. I don't think it's even a bad idea for them to be. Travis E.TN. He's going to be 27 going on 28. Tyler Algier is somebody who doesn't have a ton of wear and tear on his body. He's been the backup to Bejohn Robinson over the last handful of years.

Starting point is 00:03:44 And listen to some of these figures from Ian Hartitz on Twitter, all-time NFL leader for most career touches without a fumble, 737. Pro football focuses second highest-graded pass blocking running back in 2025. We know that's important the Broncos high-volume passing attack. 1,035 rushing yards on 4.9 yards per carry in the only season that he had there in Atlanta without Bijon Robinson, which was back in his rookie year. And then a 51.6% career success rate, the 12th best mark among 56 running backs since 2022. So I think there's going to be a really good market for Tyler Alger. I think he gets a three-year deal worth somewhere around, you know,

Starting point is 00:04:24 20 to 24 million in total money. I think that's a very reasonable cost to sign him. And I think he could be expected to be that featured back along with RJ Harvey in Denver. But I'm also going to throw this out there. Because of Algiers' lack of experience, let's call it, with Bijan Robinson, I think the Broncos will be inclined to try at least to also bring back J.K. Dobbins if they sign someone like Alger. I don't think it's going to take up too much of the salary cap pie to be able to do that. And I think J.K. Dobbins will come into free agency with a bit of a self-awareness about his own injury history, right? He definitely doesn't like the idea that he's injury prone. And I don't blame

Starting point is 00:05:06 him for that. But at the same time, you have to acknowledge the injury history and that the Broncos have to set themselves up for a deep playoff run. And so they've got to make sure that they address depth. I don't love the running back depth in this draft. I think the Broncos would be wise to go with Tyler Algear and J.K. Dobbins to address that running back position in free agency. So let me know. If you think the Broncos should go after Kenneth Walker, Travis E.T.N, even somebody else in free agency or a trade, or if they should go with what I'm predicting, Tyler Algier and J.K. Dobbins. I think that's a really strong move. You almost get two for less than the price of one there, potentially with those two guys. And then the tight end position. The Broncos need a starter. I think there's a decent chance that they'll bring back Adam Troutman.

Starting point is 00:05:52 I know that there's been already rumors that the Broncos are interested in that, but Troutman is also 29. He has very limited upside in the passing game. And I think the Broncos could look at an upgrade all around in the talent department. Somebody who can play on the line of scrimmage, somebody who can block, somebody who can catch. I love the idea of this team trading for Cole Comet. He's got two years left on his deal with the Chicago Bears. And when you look at that contract, it's very, very reasonable in terms of base salary. Base salaries in 2026 and 27 of just 8.9 million.

Starting point is 00:06:26 that's a fraction of the salary cap right now. And for the Denver Broncos, getting a player like that for two seasons, entering his prime. Colson Loveland is going to be playing the majority of the snaps there for the Bears. And yes, teams want to have depth, but the Bears also want to be able to bring in elite pass rushers for their defense. And you have to have cap space to do that. They've also got to replace now their starting center who just surprisingly retired.

Starting point is 00:06:51 So I would not be surprised if the Bears had players like Cole Comet, maybe even DJ Moore, who'd be a fun option for the Broncos, available in a reasonable trade. Like, you might be able to get Cole Commet for a day three draft pick or something like that. So if not Cole Commet, I'm going to say the Broncos going free agency and sign somebody like Cade Otton. I think he's a good fit for this offense. I think he can play in line.

Starting point is 00:07:15 It allows you to utilize both he and Evan Ingram. But those two options, I think one or the other, as opposed to the running back where I'm saying, hey, let's go get both Tyler Algear and J.K. Dobbins. I think at tight end, I would love to see either or a signing of Cade Otten or a trade for Cole Comet. Keep it within a reasonable budget, but those two position groups aren't going to break the bank when it comes to NFL free agency. Anyway, I think the Broncos have other avenues in which they can explore potentially breaking the bank. And we're going to get into that coming up next on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.

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Starting point is 00:10:14 An unexpected splash on the offensive side of the ball could be on the way for the Denver Broncos and NFL free agency. We're going to break it down on today's bonus episode of the show. But once again, Broncos Country, appreciate every single one of you so much for tuning in today and every single day. If you haven't already done so, consider joining the Every Day or All Access Club. You can join for one month for free. One of the best benefits of that is going to be an ad-free episode of the shows every single

Starting point is 00:10:40 day. We appreciate you for considering supporting the show in that way. Use the code free agency, all caps for one month free, free agency. One word, all caps. Let's talk about the big splash. I think the Broncos are going to make. And a little spoiler alert for tomorrow's Lockdown Broncos show, I think, there's no real buzz about this happening right now.

Starting point is 00:11:01 And there's a lot of other teams out there that need wide receiver help. But we know the Broncos have been interested, at least to some degree, on a number of wide receiver moves over the course of the last couple seasons. Jalen Waddle, they checked in on him at the NFL trade deadline. Ultimately, the Dolphins asking price was too high. They were interested in potentially signing and even reportedly finished second in the bidding for Stefan Diggs in Free Agency. just last off season.

Starting point is 00:11:29 So the Broncos, they're interested in upgrading that position. What about Alec Pierce? Now that Alec Pierce is hitting free agency, here again, when we get into free agency predictions, the Broncos aren't always going to do what we all want them to do. Me personally, do I want the Broncos to sign Alec Pierce? Well, I'd be excited about it. I'd be excited about the potential of what he brings to the offense as a vertical threat, especially because the Broncos, man, they really struggled to pull.

Starting point is 00:11:57 push the ball vertically last year after doing a great job of that back in 2024. Alec Pierce can help with that tremendously, but the cost to get into that show is pretty substantial. I mean, we're talking potentially upwards of 25 to 30 million per season. A lot of folks just immediately out at that price. But keep in mind, with the salary cap over 300 million and climbing,

Starting point is 00:12:22 signing Alec Pierce to a contract worth, let's say 27 million now is, is roughly similar to what it would be, you know, four years ago or so signing him to a contract worth 18 to 20 million. It's about that same percentage of the salary cap. So I think, I think, I'm predicting even that the Broncos with no buzz about this whatsoever have effectively thrown everybody off the scent that they are going to give a big money deal, let's say four years, over 100 million to Alec Pierce. I think there's a really good podcast. I think there's a really good possibility of that. I think that the Broncos have shown that they're interested in upgrading

Starting point is 00:13:01 the wide receiver position. Cortland Sutton was re-signed, but I don't think that's prohibitive when it comes to signing a player like Alec Pierce. I think the Broncos will like his skill set, his size, his speed, the fact that he's, you know, only 25 going on 26 years old. I think there's a lot of meat left on the bone when it comes to his overall skill set. And this is the right time to support your quarterback by going after somebody. Well, it could be a trade for a veteran. It could be signing a player like Alec Pierce or maybe somebody a little bit less high profile. Maybe a Romeo Dobbs haven't really heard much of anything about him in terms of free agency, but he's also an intriguing name. I just think that the Broncos are going to go from left field

Starting point is 00:13:45 with somebody. And we've seen that in years past. There's certain things that they don't want anybody to know about. So they're leaking specific information like about the running back position. I have a feeling, just a gut hunch that it could be because they're going to make a huge substantial offer to Alec Pierce to come and upgrade that wide receiver position. I also think there's a chance that that big splash could happen at linebacker once again, although we know that the Broncos have already started discussions about potentially bringing back Alex Singleton. I think that the best option, and I'm sort of manifesting this, as you've heard maybe previously on the show, that I think the Broncos need to sign Caden Ellis to a, a short-term deal, maybe two to three-year deal worth 30 million or so. A really fair deal for a linebacker who is one of the best pass rushing off-ball linebackers in the NFL, 380 combined tackles over the last three seasons, averaging roughly

Starting point is 00:14:40 10 tackles for loss per season can play all three downs, not just as a pass rusher, but really effective in coverage as well. I think he just fits in with what this Broncos team looks for at that position. And just in terms of that culture defensively, plus he does. get to reunite with Sean Peyton, who drafted him back in 2019. He'd also get to play with his younger brother Jonah. So I think there's a lot of valid reasons why Caden Ellis signing in Denver makes a ton of sense this offseason. So in case we need a recap here, this is how I'm predicting. And remember, again, these were all outside free agent or trade candidates, right? We're not

Starting point is 00:15:19 talking about, I think the Broncos are going to re-sign this guy, which I think they could resign Singleton. They could resign Adam Troutman. They could resign J.K. Dobbins. I'm predicting some of the biggest holes that are getting filled. I'm going to say Tyler Algier at running back. And then one of either Kate Otten or Cole Commet at the tight end position. I'm going to say Caden Ellis at the linebacker position. And then I'm going to say a big splash that nobody really sees coming right now,

Starting point is 00:15:45 Alec Pierce, at the wide receiver position. Let me know Broncos Country what you would think of that free agency hall because I know some of these names. I mean, you'd be upset at the Broncos pass on bigger name running back. for Tyler Alger. And then some are saying, no, no, no, no, they want to go for the more reasonable priced option and take a chance on his upside. It could be the offense's version of a Brandon Jones signing, right? And then some, they'll love the idea of Alec Pierce, adding his explosiveness to the offense. Others will say, no way, I'm paying upwards of 25 to 30 million per

Starting point is 00:16:17 year for somebody who didn't even catch 50 passes last year. We want to know your thoughts. We're to know your predictions for free agency as well. What do you think is going to happen? Predict your first signing. Let us know in the comments when the, you know, when the festivities get started. Everybody posts there and here we go. You know, they post that gif on Twitter and everything. Who's the first signing the Broncos are going to make?

Starting point is 00:16:42 Let us know in the comments section of Broncos Country. We appreciate you so much for tuning in today and every single day and we'll have you covered all throughout NFL free agency. We appreciate you. We'll catch you on the next episode of the show.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - SURPRISE: Predicting the Broncos' Free Agency Haul in 2026

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