2020 Broncos' Season, Re-Making the Secondary

The new league year for the NFL begins on March 18, just nine days away, but there's a lot that can happen between now and then. The players are currently voting on a new CBA, and that can impact some of the free agent frenzy we'll see. The legal tampering period begins on Monday, March 16, and that will be when we start seeing some mass movements. And between now and then, those who've been cut can be signed and other players can be traded. So, yeah, that it's gonna be a wild ride.

As we head toward this season, it's time to look at how the Broncos have already decided to wade in. And that means last week's trade for Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye, and what it means for the Broncos' secondary.

The trade, which can't be completed officially until March 18, involves the Broncos sending a fourth round pick to the Jaguars for Bouye, a top flight corner with two years left on his contract. In short, it feels like a small concession to lock up a key piece in the secondary.

And why is this important? Because the Broncos' secondary, a strength of the team in 2019, was something of a question heading into Free Agency. Chris Harris, Jr. is a Free Agent, as is Justin Simmons and Will Parks. Depth players like safeties Trey Marshall and Dymonte Thomas are free agents, and corners like DeVante Bausby and Davontae Harris are also free agents.

The Broncos will tag Simmons, as Elway has said as much. They also still have last year's free agent signings of safety Kareem Jackson and corner Bryce Callahan, who missed all of 2019 with a foot injury, under contract. With Simmons and Bouye guaranteed back, that gives Denver a solid core. The question is what else the team will do.

Harris has been a stalwart for the Broncos for years, and is a fan favorite. The trade for Bouye certainly seems like that is a bad sign for a reunion with Harris. While it can't be ruled out, with the four under contact the Broncos have more than $50 million invested in the Secondary. Harris doesn't figure to come cheap, and he shouldn't, so the question is how much more the Broncos are willing to spend in that area.

A more likely signing seems to be Prince Amukamara, who was cut loose from the Bears. He previously worked with Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell in Chicago, and figures to come in at a more affordable rate. Then it will be a matter of filling in with other pieces and depth.

What seems clear with the trade for Bouye and the Broncos' rumored work to bring back Shelby Harris and Derek Wolfe, in addition to exploring trades for D.J. Reeder, is that the Broncos are looking to build out the defense through free agency. Meanwhile, it seems like the Broncos are going to continue to use the draft to bulk up on offense.

This is always a time of year with unbridled optimism for all NFL Teams, and frequently it doesn't pan out. But the Broncos ended 2019 strong and appear poised to make improvements that could get them into the playoff conversation in 2020. And if the new CBA is approved, it could be easier than ever to get into the playoffs if the field expands to 14 teams.