ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos have interest in recently-available defensive end Antonio Smith and don't have to look far for a detailed scouting report on the 33-year-old.

Broncos defensive line coach Bill Kollar was Smith's defensive line coach for all five of Smith's seasons with the Houston Texans. Smith is known to be a player Kollar holds in high regard for Smith's on-field work as well as locker-room presence.

The Broncos will likely have competition in signing Smith from the Texans, who only have six defensive linemen currently under contract. Smith has started all but two games in the last six seasons, including 16 games for the Oakland Raiders last season.

Smith was released Tuesday by the Raiders. He had 20 tackles and three sacks in 2014 and has 44 1/2 sacks in his previous 10 years in the league.

The Broncos have signed defensive lineman Vance Walker in free agency already this offseason, but Smith is a player the Broncos will try to add to the mix if the price is right. The Broncos have 72 players under contract at the moment and have about $4 million functional salary-cap space when the allotment of space that will be needed for 10 draft picks is taken into account.