NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the Denver Broncos and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Josh Reynolds, WR
Denver is signing former Lions receiver Josh Reynolds to a two-year, $14 million deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
What it means: Denver gets proven production at receiver. With Marvin Mims Jr. set to absorb the playing time and targets the departed Jerry Jeudy had, the Broncos were still a little thin on the depth chart. With eight picks in the draft at the moment and far more needs across the depth chart, the Broncos have signed some targeted free agents to fill specific roles. Reynolds has four career 400-yard receiving seasons with 608 yards last season (second-highest total of his career). If Tim Patrick successfully returns from a torn left Achilles, Reynolds projects in the top four rotation.
What's the risk: For comparison, the Chiefs signed Marquise Brown to a one-year, $7 million deal. Brown has had a 1,000-yard season and three 700-yard seasons in all. But on the field, there is little risk for the Broncos given Reynolds has been a reliable option in offenses for both the Rams and Lions and as recently as the owners meetings earlier this week Lions officials said they hoped to re-sign him.
Lil'Jordan Humphrey, WR
Receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey is returning to the Broncos on a one-year contract.
What it means: Humphrey is now the fourth former Saints player the Broncos have re-signed this week -- defensive lineman Malcolm Roach, kicker Wil Lutz and fullback Michael Burton are the others. Coach Sean Payton likes Humphrey in some of the Broncos' three-wide sets, especially in the run game, and Humphrey had three touchdown catches among his 13 receptions last season. His role likely doesn't change much next season, especially if Tim Patrick returns after two missed seasons.
What's the risk: The deal is for the veteran minimum -- $1.25 million for a player in his sixth season -- so little risk for the Broncos. Humphrey, who played 40% of last season's snaps, is a safe bet to play where and when Payton wants him. Marvin Mims Jr. likely figures to play as much or more than Jerry Jeudy did last season in the offense and Patrick will certainly get plenty of work if he continues his progress.
Matt Peart, OT
What it means: Peart joins Denver on a one year-deal. He was a third-round pick by the New York Giants in 2020 and didn't become a full-time starter in any of those seasons, but played well enough in his limited work to stay put. Peart started just seven of the 43 games he appeared in for the Giants. Peart played 25% or fewer snaps in three of his four seasons with his peak being 43% in 2021 when he made five of his career starts. He projects as a potential swing tackle for the Broncos, who could fill in where needed.
What's the risk: The Broncos have a young group of developmental linemen that like including tackle Alex Palczewski, a rookie in 2023 who spent much of last season on injured reserve, but are thin on experience, especially behind left tackle Garett Bolles. Peart gives them some insurance as they evaluate how some of those youngsters move through the offseason and into training camp.
Cody Barton, LB
Former Commanders linebacker Cody Barton agreed to a one-year contract with the Broncos.
What it means: With the departure of Josey Jewell in free agency and Jonas Griffith returning from a torn ACL, the Broncos needed affordable production amid salary cap challenges. Barton fits the criteria well. He finished with 121 tackles last season, including 10 in the Commanders' Week 2 win over the Broncos, and should be a plug-and-play option when the Broncos return to the field in their offseason program. With 24 of his 29 career starts coming over the last two seasons -- '22 in Seattle, '23 in Washington -- Barton had 136 and 121 tackles in those two seasons, respectively.
What's the risk: There is little risk other than the Broncos needing Barton and the other players they've signed to fit in quickly and produce like they hope. Certainly that's always the goal, but the Broncos don't have much margin for error on the depth chart. They need the players like Barton to fill the gaps.
Wil Lutz, K
What it means: The Broncos were able to retain kicker Wil Lutz, who may have been one of the few consistent things in the team's offense last season. After a tough opening week when he missed a field goal and an extra point in a one-point loss to the Raiders, Lutz went on to a 30-of-34 showing for the season. Earlier in the day, Lutz had agreed to terms with the Jaguars, but the Broncos were able to reel him back in for two years.
What's the risk: There is little risk in this and the Broncos weren't going to find a better replacement. So, their ability to get Lutz back in the fold is a win at a time when the Broncos need a win in free agency. And with so much uncertainty at quarterback, some consistency in the kicking game might be needed.
Adam Trautman, TE
Tight end Adam Trautman will remain the with Broncos, agreeing to a two-year contract.
What it means: From the moment Greg Dulcich injured his hamstring last season, the Broncos were a low-impact operation in the passing game at tight end. Trautman became the most reliable option in the group with 22 receptions and three touchdowns. If Dulcich is able to return to the lineup as the Broncos hope, he will be the top pass-receiving option at TE and a hybrid receiver/blocker in the one- and two-tight end sets. With Chris Manhertz's release, the Broncos lost their best blocker at tight end.
What's the risk: Trautman knows the offense well -- he continues the former Saints parade the Broncos have either reeled in free agency or re-signed from their own roster this week. A durable and reliable player in the scheme, he figures to fit the same in the offense and how active the Broncos are in the draft at the position will determine more of Trautman's usage.
Michael Burton, FB
The Broncos re-signed fullback Michael Burton to a one-year deal.
What it means: The Broncos keep a high-effort player who fits a variety of roles on offense and special teams. Burton, with just seven carries last season for nine yards to go with three receptions for eight yards, isn't in the hub of the wheel as far as touches. But the Broncos line him up as a fullback, H-back and a quasi-tight end at times and does each with reliability and always assignment sound. And he's a core special teamer for a group that made a much needed improvement in special teams last season.
What's the risk: Little or no risk. Burton has played for Sean Payton in both New Orleans and Denver as the former Rutgers walk-on has carved out a now 10-year career in the league because of his approach and ability to fill roles. He will continue to be one of the Broncos' regulars on special teams -- 68% of the special teams snaps last season -- and if the Broncos are more committed to the run game as Payton has said they need to be in certain situations, his snap count on offense could get a slight boost.
Malcolm Roach, DT
Former Saints defensive end Malcolm Roach will reunite with Sean Payton in Denver.
What it means: The Broncos went into free agency with defensive tackle and defensive end as two of their high-need positions. Roach gives them a rotational player who has plenty of experience with Broncos coach Sean Payton in the past. Roach signed with the Saints in 2020 as an undrafted rookie and spent the last four seasons with the team -- three of those when Payton was head coach. The Broncos were expected to lose Mike Purcell in free agency and did not tender an offer to defensive end Jonathan Harris, a restricted free agent. The Broncos have been in discussions with several defensive linemen in the early wave of free agency.
What's the risk: The reported two-year deal is a safe bet for Roach, a player Payton and many of his staffers know well. The risk is the Broncos likely need more from Roach than he's been asked to give to this point in his career and they'll need him to be ready for that. He has just five career starts -- none in two of his four seasons -- and has never played in more than 13 games in any season. He also played in fewer than 40% of the Saints' defensive snaps in three of his years with a max of 42% in 2021. The Broncos could ask him to do far more.
Brandon Jones, S
The Broncos agreed to a three-year deal with the former Dolphins safety.
What it means: Jones was primarily a strong safety in his time with the Dolphins and did his best work in the box against the run or in a pass rush mode. Former Miami defensive coordinator Vic Fangio changed that profile a bit last season as Jones was used less along the line of scrimmage and finished with two interceptions. This isn't exact replacement for the recently released Justin Simmons, but Jones is a versatile player who can fit a few things in Vance Joseph's defense.
What's the risk: The risk is the Broncos can't get to the performance level of Simmons at one of the safety spots. They released Simmons after eight years (four second-team All Pro selections, two Pro Bowls) and Jones is now part of the potential solution at the two safety spots with P.J. Locke and Caden Sterns. But Sterns is coming off a torn patellar tendon that cost him the 2023 season and he missed a big part of 2022 after hip surgery. Jones started 30 of his 54 games with the Dolphins and he will have to be at his best to give the Broncos what they need to replace Simmons.