The Broncos have already made several moves in the secondary this offseason, and now they’re addressing the defensive front. Denver has agreed to terms on a deal with defensive tackle Shamar Stephen, a source told Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post (Twitter link).
There’s some familiarity here, as new Broncos GM George Paton came over from Minnesota, where Stephen has spent most of his career. Stephen was drafted in the seventh-round back in 2014, and was with the Vikings for his first four seasons. He signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks in 2018 before returning home in 2019 with a three-year, $12.45MM contract from the Vikings.
He made it through two years of that pact before being released last month. He started all 16 games for Minnesota last year, racking up 34 tackles and a half sack while playing just over 60 percent of the defensive snaps. He’s started 65 games in his seven-year career, including at least 14 in each of the past three.
Dre’Mont Jones, Shelby Harris, and nose tackle Mike Purcell currently slot in as the three starters up front in Denver’s 3-4 defense. Stephen could play either outside or inside and will presumably fill a rotational role behind those three guys.
What does this do to their Draft in terms of picking up another Defensive Lineman? I still think the Broncos need another playmaker on their defensive line with youth and depth at Linebacker and their Secondary.
My goal is to bring in Alex Smith to mentor and push Drew Lock. I do not want to trade up and draft a QB.
Team needs in order (IMO):
Right Tackle, Linebacker, Defensive Line, Running Back, and Defensive Back. Outside of the Top 4 (Lawrence, Wilson, Fields, and Lance, and Jones will not be there at 40), I do not view any QB worthy of being drafted.
My ideal Draft is (No Trades):
Round 1: No. 9 – Rashawn Slater, Tackle out of Northwestern.
Round 2: No. 40 – Travis Etienne, RB out of Clemson.
Round 3: No. 71 – Jamin Davis, LB out of Kentucky
Round 4: No. 114 – Jamar Johnson, DB out of Indiana (Experience playing both CB and Safety)
Round 5: No. 152 – Bobby Brown III, IDL out of Texas A &M.
Round 6: No. 191 – Patrick Jones II, Edge out of Pittsburgh
Round 7: No. 237 – Michael Menet, C out of Penn St.
Round 7: No. 239 (from Giants) – William Bradley-King, Edge out of Baylor
Round 7: No. 253 (from Browns) – Justin Rice, LB out of Arkansas State
Bench Lock & start Alex Smith? Idk man. Smith mentored Mahomes when Smith was a strong starter winning his 2nd straight AFC west. If you sit Lock a year, the year after is his last of team control. If Smith wants to accept a back up role buzz in KC has been he’s welcomed to come to the Chiefs.