Amid an offseason mostly defined by subtraction with the departures of Julius Thomas, Terrance Knighton and several other starters or contributors, the Broncos may have a fit as a result of an under-the-radar acquisition, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
The team’s signing of tight end/fullback Joe Don Duncan, an undrafted Division II product who missed what would’ve been his rookie season in 2014 due to injuries, occupies the Broncos’ new need for a fullback. Per Klis, the Broncos plan to convert Duncan to fill their need at fullback, a position the team hasn’t used much since Spencer Larsen and Peyton Hillis in 2008.
An Associated Press D-II All-American in 2013, Duncan caught 71 passes for 1,045 yards as a senior. Denver used recently re-signed Virgil Green and former undrafted running back Juwan Thompson at the position last season.
Gary Kubiak also mentioned in Klis’ story that Chris Myers, who he coached for six seasons with the Texans, Samson Satele, Scott Wells and 2014 Broncos snapper Will Montgomery as available free agent centers before alluding to the front office’s positive outlook on Matt Paradis, a sixth-round pick last season. Recently added ex-Dolphins guard Shelley Smith could also factor in at center, per Klis, if the Broncos see a left guard they prefer instead of a center.
Elsewhere on Sunday night …
- The Bengals are interested in bringing back defensive tackle Pat Sims, notes Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Paul Dehner Jr. via Twitter. The former third-round Bengals selection in 2008 played five years in Cincinnati before signing with the Raiders in 2013. A starter in Oakland in 2013, Sims served as a backup last season, playing in 37% of the snaps.
- Cincinnati will probably wait until at least April before attempting to re-sign role players Taylor Mays or Cedric Peerman, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com writes. Hobson also noted A.J. McCarron could be moved up to the Bengals’ No. 2 quarterback spot, with the team’s reluctance to devote much financially to Andy Dalton‘s backup. 2014 backup Jason Campbell remains a free agent.
- Third-year Steelers outside linebacker Jarvis Jones could switch to the left edge, reports Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Mark Kaboly on Twitter. GM Kevin Colbert told Kaboly newly re-signed backer James Harrison probably won’t move. Soon to be 37, Harrison was partially signed to mentor the Steelers’ young linebackers. According to Colbert, both outside backer slots and both cornerback starters are open competitions. But the GM imagines re-signed Arthur Moats will start on the left side after the retirement of Jason Worilds vacated that position. (Twitter links).
- The Dolphins won the offseason, writes Grantland’s Robert Mays. for their addition of Ndamukong Suh, Jordan Cameron and Kenny Stills while also shedding the excess contracts of Mike Wallace and Dannell Ellerbe. Mays also speculates a fit in Miami for All-Pro guard Evan Mathis, who the Eagles are reportedly open to dealing, if Mike Pouncey indeed shifts back to center from right guard.