Outside free agents signed

C.J. Mosley, LB: Four years, $42M

Mosley is the big get on the free agent market at linebacker. He is a great linebacker and is in store for a big payday. However, due to some previous injury concerns and a down year in 2018, he may not end up the highest paid linebacker in the NFL, but he will be one of the highest. This deal would make Mosley tied for the third-highest paid LB in the NFL. This is still a great deal for Mosley, given the previous injuries in his career.

As for his fit in Denver, he would come in and fill a huge need for the Broncos and give them that coverage linebacker they have been missing for a while. Fangio’s defense is very reliant on the linebackers, so having one of the best in the business will be big for the defense as a whole.

This gives Denver more leeway in the Draft, and allows them to focus more on taking the best player available and would mean they don’t need to reach for a need. Josey Jewell would also benefit from adding Mosley. There is a chance Jewell can be developed to fill that Danny Trevathan role in Fangio’s defense, while Mosley fills that Roquan Smith role.

Adrian Amos, S: Five years, $53M

The former Bears safety would come in and move Justin Simmons from the strong safety spot. The benefits are more than just that, as Amos has worked under Fangio and really came into his own in Fangio’s defense.

Denver needs to add a safety because they have a good number of depth guys, but they don’t have a bona-fide starter at the strong safety spot. Simmons started there in 2018, and his play struggled in a role he isn’t suited for.

With a $10.6M average per year salary, Amos would become the fifth-highest paid safety in the NFL. At just under 26 years old, Amos still has a lot of playing time left in the NFL and getting him locked up for long term gives Denver some flexibility moving forward.

Ja'Wuan James, OT: Four years, $44M

Denver has to find an answer at right tackle and it has to stop trying to get by with value signings or pickups. Veldheer, Watson, and Schofield, among many others, have failed over the years. It is time for Elway to go out and sign an answer. James can be that answer and gives Denver a key veteran piece at right tackle who can be solid for them and not give them any reason for concern.

With an $11M per year average, James would be the second-highest paid right tackle in the NFL. This is a bit rich for the type of talent he is, but with the cost of right tackles going up, and likely facing competition from multiple other teams, Denver has to come out big from the start.

Ramon Foster, OG: Two years, $16M

This is a signing similar to Amos. Foster, a former left guard in Pittsburgh, would be a huge help for the young guys along the Broncos offensive line.

He can compete for a starting job, and give Denver even more options on their offensive line. With Paradis being allowed to walk in this scenario, Denver can have McGovern take the center position with Foster and Leary starting at guard.

Aaron Lynch, OLB: Two years, $8M

Denver will be losing two of their edge rushers, making the depth at the position basically non-existent. Aaron Lynch has a lot of experience under Fangio, having played for him in San Francisco before joining him in Chicago. When you are looking for a depth piece, finding someone familiar with the scheme is a huge help. Lynch knows the scheme and is a proven depth piece that will help the depth behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

Bryce Callahan, CB: Four years, $35M

Callahan is one of the best slot corners in the NFL. When he has to take a boundary receiver, you do see him struggle some. However, getting a deal over $8M annually is a fair contract for the type of player he is.

That is especially the case when you factor in that he is coming off a season where he broke his foot late in the season. He will be good to go by training camp, but you just aren’t sure if there will be an lingering issues from the injury.

Pierre Desir, CB: Two years, $14M

Desir signed a one-year deal with the Colts and he really outperformed that contract. He had a great year for the Colts and is one of the underrated corners entering free agency. Desir is 28 years old, and is starting to have things click for him in the NFL. He is a great scheme fit for the Broncos under Fangio, and would go a long ways to solidify their cornerback room.