Over the next several weeks, the Denver Broncos will be diligent preparing a list of free agents they would love to add to their team for the 2026 season and beyond. The Broncos have a quality roster, but several position groups are in desperate need of upgrades. Here are three players I think are logical fits for the Broncos which would immediately make an impact for the franchise.
Travis Etienne — Running Back — Jacksonville Jaguars
How the Broncos choose to address their need at running back is one of the biggest questions fans across Broncos Country are wondering about this offseason. So far, we have previewed three potential free agents at the position, with varying opinions on whether or not that’s the right move to make.
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The New York Jets could very well place the franchise tag on Breece Hall, who is widely considered to be the best back potentially available. After him, Kenneth Walker was discussed, though the Seattle Seahawks certainly have the cap space to keep the Super Bowl 60 MVP if they so wish. Tyler Allgeier from the Atlanta Falcons was most mentioned as a more cost-affordable option to consider.
However, one player I think would fit in well is Travis Etienne of the Jacksonville Jaguars. In four years with the Jaguars, Etienne had 1,065 touches for 5,136 all-purpose yards and 32 touchdowns. After fumbling five times as a rookie, the veteran running back only has two over the past three seasons.
Last season, the former Clemson standout notched 1,107 yards rushing on 260 attempts with 7 touchdowns. He also added 292 receiving yards on 36 receptions. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry on inside runs, 3.4 yards per carry off tackle, but a tremendous 5.4 yards per carry on outside runs. Etienne was one of the league leaders in yards after contact and forced missed tackles.
Spotrac estimates that he will earn roughly $7 million a year with whomever he lands with in free agency. That appears to be a happy medium between the price tags of the three backs mentioned above. Though I think it may come a little higher. But for a player of his magnitude, and what he could do to help revitalize Denver’s offense? I’m all about it. I think Head Coach Sean Payton would love to have him.
Cade Otton — Tight End — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Broncos’ current tight end room consists of veteran Evan Engram and Caleb Lohner. I expect they will bring back Nate Adkins in restricted free agency, leaving that position group with just three tight ends. Veteran Adam Trautman, who led the group in snaps, is set to be a free agent.
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This is an area I fully expect Denver to bring someone in from the outside during free agency. At his end-of-the-season presser, Payton opined that he would like to see the Broncos use more double tight end sets. In Payton’s first year with Russell Wilson at the helm, Denver used 12-personnel roughly 20-percent of their offensive snaps. Over the last two years, their utilization in that regard has been halved. They need to bring in a veteran who can help in the receiving game and help jumpstart their rushing attack.
Cade Otton would be a good addition for the Broncos in free agency. He is quality becoming one of the better run blocking tight ends in the NFL. Additionally, many Buccaneers fans felt he was underutilized in their passing attack. He seems to be the type of consistent players the team needs to help take their offense to the next level.
Some fans across Broncos Country have argued moving on from Engram. However, removing their only veteran option doesn’t necessarily seem wise due to the dead money and them already being short players at the position. I’d keep Engram, bring in Otton, and look for a long-term upgrade to Engram in the 2026 NFL Draft—someone like Eli Stowers out of Vanderbilt seems like a good fit. Spotrac estimates Otton earning nearly $8 million per year on his next deal.
Kaden Elliss — Linebacker — Atlanta Falcons
With Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad as free agents, the Broncos could potentially be replacing nearly 1,500 defensive snaps from last year. One would hope that Dre Greenlaw stays healthy and can take a good portion of those in ’26, but that’s not something the team should bank on.
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Whether it’s in free agency or the draft, upgrading the linebacking corps has to be a priority. In my opinion, it can be considered a blank canvas moving past the ‘27 season. Experience, toughness, versatility and leadership will be important for any addition to revamping the room here.
That’s one of the reasons why I think Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss is a logical fit. He checks all those boxes. Not only is his brother Jonah on the Broncos, Elliss was drafted into the league by Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis back in 2019 with the New Orleans Saints. There is a sense of familiarity there that makes the connection seem far too obvious.
The past three years for the Falcons, Elliss has started every game for Atlanta. He has racked up 380 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and 32 quarterback hits. He’s a good player on the field and admired in their locker room. Certainly, a player that they don’t want to let go.
Strnad was often utilized as a pressure player in Vance Joseph’s defense. I think we would see a lot of that here with Elliss. Overall, I think he adds a lot to the group. Spotrac estimates his market value to be roughly $9 million per year.
What do you think, Broncos Country? Would you be happy if these were Denver’s three major outside free agent additions? Or would you be disappointed if that was the case? Feel free to share your Top 3 free agent wish list for the Broncos in the comments section.
