Plenty of groups have improved early in NFL free company.
However one stood out greater than the remaining for former NFL quarterback and FOX Sports activities analyst Chase Daniel.
Daniel Picks Denver Broncos as Most Improved NFL Group After NFL Free Company
The Denver Broncos entered the league’s authorized tampering interval ranked simply 19th in salary cap space. However the strikes the Broncos made nonetheless left Daniel impressed.
The Broncos added two San Francisco 49ers defensive starters, together with former All-Professional security Talanoa Hufanga. Denver additionally signed veteran tight finish Evan Engram.
Daniel argued on the March 17 episode of FS1’s The Facility that the strikes had been precisely what the Broncos wanted to do.
“Bo Nix performed rather a lot higher than lots of people thought, okay. So what do you do? You exit and also you construct a protection round him. A protection is a quarterback’s greatest buddy. You exit and get [Talanoa] Hufanga, you exit and get Dre Greenlaw. This protection was already ranked third final season, and also you go make them higher,” said Daniel.
“The sneakiest, one of the vital sneakiest signings, I feel proper now, Evan Engram, tight finish. And I had a entrance row seat for Sean Payton, Jimmy Graham, that complete period in New Orleans. Sean Payton is aware of easy methods to use a good finish higher than anybody I’ve ever seen. I do know Evan Engram is 30. [But] he nonetheless has some tread left on these tires. I’m actually excited to see how this Broncos group goes on the market and faces the AFC West with the Chiefs.”
.@ChaseDaniel places the Broncos as the highest group who improved this offseason
pic.twitter.com/wYfOCQqjqy
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) March 17, 2025
Tight finish was thought-about one of many weaker place teams earlier than the beginning of free company. However Engram was one of the highest gamers obtainable on the place.
Engram made the Professional Bowl for the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars throughout the 2020 and 2023 seasons, respectively. In 2023, Engram posted a career-high 114 receptions for 963 yards.
The veteran tight finish handled a number of accidents throughout the 2024 marketing campaign. Engram performed in solely 9 video games and averaged a career-low 7.8 yards per catch. He completed with 47 receptions, 365 yards and one landing total.
However Daniel clearly nonetheless sees Engram as a prime tight finish menace underneath Sean Payton.
Jimmy Graham was youthful when he performed for Payton. However underneath Payton for 5 seasons, Graham made three Professional Bowls and two All-Professional groups, together with first-team All-Professional with a 1,215-yard season in 2013.
Broncos Signed Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw
Denver additionally spent greater than $75 million on the 2 defenders who’ve beforehand began for the 49ers — Hufanga and Greelaw.
Hufanga made first-team All-Professional with 97 mixed tackles, together with 5 tackles for loss, and 9 cross defenses, together with 4 interceptions, in 2022. He returned a type of interceptions for a landing.
Hufanga additionally had three quarterback hits and two pressured fumbles throughout 2022.
Over the previous two years, Hufanga has been out and in of the lineup due to accidents. In 2024, Hufanga had 38 mixed tackles, together with two tackles for loss, in seven video games.
If wholesome, although, the Broncos hope he can return to the most effective at his place.
Greenlaw has by no means made the All-Professional group or Professional Bowl. However he was all the time a stable contributor on an elite San Francisco protection. In each 2022 and 2023, Greenlaw posted 120 mixed tackles or extra.
Like Hufanga, Greenlaw missed most of 2024 because of a torn Achilles tendon he suffered within the Super Bowl the earlier February. Greenlaw returned for 2 video games in December earlier than struggling a calf damage.
Assuming all three gamers are wholesome, they need to be vital contributors for the Broncos in 2025.
