NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.
Denver, CO
Broncos rotate CBs Riley Moss, Kris Abrams-Draine in sign of potential shift
LANDOVER, Md. — Riley Moss found himself in an unfamiliar spot.
On Washington’s third drive Sunday night, the Broncos cornerback stood on the visiting sideline with his helmet at his side and watched.
He wasn’t hurt. He wasn’t playing poorly.
Just the opposite, in fact. Moss felt great and ultimately felt like he played great, too. Sure, Commanders receiver Treylon Burks caught one of the most impressive touchdowns of the year in the NFL over him later in the game, but Moss had great position.
If there’s one snap he wants back, it’s an overtime go-ball to Deebo Samuel in which the talented receiver ran past Moss for a 38-yard gain that put Washington right down near the goal line and set up its final score.
Overall, though, Moss liked his outing.
He was not penalized. He played with good technique.
And yet here he was early in the game, on the sideline, watching second-year man Kris Abrams-Draine work.
Starting nickel Ja’Quan McMillian occasionally found himself in the same spot, watching rookie first-rounder Jahdae Barron play in the slot.
Both Moss and McMillian played a ton — Moss 77 out of 90 defensive snaps and McMillian 64 — in Denver’s 27-26 overtime win, but they also entered what could shape up to be a one-week happening or could be a new phase of the season in the Broncos secondary.
A work-share.
Head coach Sean Payton said after the game that the adjustment had nothing to do with the quality of work provided by Moss and McMillian.
Rather, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and the Denver coaching staff liked how Abrams-Draine and Barron played so much when All-Pro Pat Surtain II missed three games with a pectoral injury that they wanted the pair to continue getting live game reps even with Surtain’s return Sunday night.
“It’s a good question,” Payton said of Abrams-Draine getting time in place of Moss during the game. “I know we were trying to, you know, when Patrick (Surtain) comes back and then you have these other guys, it was more about keeping these guys in game form. And I knew that we were going to try to.
“There was nothing — it was more about the rotation and just keeping them all going.”
Moss did not protest after the game.
“We have a deep room and they wanted to give (Abrams-Draine) a shot,” he said. “He played a hell of a game last week and he did well today, as well. It’s nice to know we have the bodies in our room to get it done.”
The third-year man said he took “full accountability” for the play to Samuel that set up Washington’s potential winning score.
“The entire game, (I was) locking them up and then that one slips,” he said. “We can’t have that. You’ve got to finish it out. That’s going to be the main thing is to be able to make that play late in the game.”
Moss thought he played well, “99.9% of the game. That 0.1%, though, we’ve got to make that play,” he added. “At the end of the day, that’s something I’m going to hold on me and get better at.”
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.
Denver, CO
Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense
I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.
Broncos top FA needs on offense
Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.
I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.
Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.
Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.
Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.
Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.
Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.
Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).
There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.
Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.
Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.
Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.
The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.
Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.
Denver, CO
Denver area events for March 5
Denver, CO
Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back
The Denver Broncos are in the market for a running back.
Just two days after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Denver wants to have the running back position addressed before the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Broncos are “poised to make a splash” at running back during NFL free agency.
“Denver is the reason why the Jets used the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the transition tag, according to sources, making sure Denver wouldn’t get the opportunity to put together an offer the Jets would refuse to match,” Jones wrote for CBS Sports.
Jones said the Broncos would be an obvious potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker, and he noted that Travis Etienne could be a cheaper alternative. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider also reported this week that Denver is expected to “closely examine” the RB market, and he name-dropped Walker, Etienne and Rico Dowdle.
The Broncos also have an in-house free agent at RB in J.K. Dobbins, who has expressed his desire to remain in Denver. The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents from other clubs on March 9, but no deals can become official until the new league year begins on March 11. In-house free agents can be re-signed at any time.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin4 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Maryland5 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Florida5 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Oregon6 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling