Denver Broncos Free Agency Tracker: Updated Signings, Rumors and Grades

The Denver Broncos are looking to assemble the best talent possible in free agency. With 13 players set to be unrestricted free agents, the Broncos will have some tough decisions concerning their own talent.

In addition to self-scouting, Denver needs to examine the players available on the open market to determine whether or not they would be the right fit—for the right price tag. Unlike previous seasons, general manager John Elway isn’t going to have a ton of money to spend in free agency.

According to Spotrac.com, the Broncos have more than $116 million committed to 45 players who are under contract for 2015. The official salary-cap number for the 2015 season will be between $140 and $143 million, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Elway committed the one-year franchise tag to Demaryius Thomas that pays him a salary around $12.8 million 2015. He also saved the Broncos $4 million this year by getting Peyton Manning to agree to a pay cut. The Broncos have a little less than $20 million to spend in free agency according to calculations, and that money will dry up quickly with so many needs on both sides of the ball.

Here is the Denver Broncos free-agent tracker, rumors and grades for additions. I will update as the Broncos sign more players.

Per a team press release, it was announced on Thursday the Denver Broncos had signed defensive end Vance Walker to a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

The Broncos are a little thin at the position right now. Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson are likely to be starting defensive ends in the new 3-4 defense under Wade Phillips. Behind those two, the Broncos need to add better depth. That's where Walker comes in.

Walker (measuring in at 6'2" 305 pounds) is a seventh-year player who spent his first six NFL seasons with Atlanta Falcons (2009-12), Oakland Raiders (2013) and Kansas City Chiefs (2014) after being selected by the Falcons in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft from Georgia Tech.

Walker has spent most of his pro career playing defensive tackle in a 4-3.

Last year, Walker moved outside to play defensive end in their 3-4 defense, and he finished the year with 40 tackles and three sacks. Walker started 15 games for the Chiefs at the position, and he was a reliable starter.

Grade: C+

On Friday, the Broncos came to a two-year agreement with free safety Darian Stewart. 

His career regular-season totals include 197 tackles (136 solo), four sacks (31 yards), two interceptions (27 yards), 21 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He also posted three solo tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery in two career postseason starts.

With Rahim Moore gone to the Houston Texans, the Broncos have a need at the free safety position. With limited salary-cap space, a move for Stewart was a good choice for Denver.

Stewart was originally an undrafted free agent for the St. Louis Rams, and as he battled through injuries he looked good as a part-time player.

Last year, the Ravens signed Stewart on the open market and he ended up starting 14-of-16 games in 2014. He played 782 snaps (per ESPN employees only database) last season, the most he'd played since 2011.

If healthy, Stewart gives the Broncos a young player with upside at the position. Starting at free safety next to strong safety T.J. Ward should benefit Stewart in the Broncos secondary.

On Friday, the Broncos announced they had reached a two-year agreement with offensive guard Shelley Smith. With the San Diego Chargers signing last year's left guard Orlando Franklin away in free agency, there was a need at the position. 

Smith has appeared in 36 career regular-season games, combining for 11 starts at both guard positions. He has helped block for two 1,000-yard rushers (Steven Jackson – 1,045 in 2012 and Lamar Miller – 1,099 in 2014) while allowing only 7.5 sacks.

Smith was sixth-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2010 when Gary Kubiak was the head coach there. He's agile and able to start in a zone-blocking system.

He missed five games last year and suffered a minor knee sprain. If healthy, Smith should step in at left guard for the Broncos and start.

Jeff Legwold, from ESPN.com, was the first to report that tight end Virgil Green had informed the Chicago Bears that he intends to stay with the Denver Broncos.

Troy E. Renck, from the Denver Post, reports the Broncos have agreed to a three-year contract with Green.

He is a key component for the offense because of his blocking ability. Two-tight end sets are the norm in Gary Kubiak’s offense, and Green will be incredibly effective because of his all-purpose skill set.

Even though he only has 23 career receptions, Green is a seriously underrated receiver. As the Broncos' second tight end, he could catch 40 or more passes in 2015.

Grade: A

Reports surfaced on Tuesday that the Denver Broncos had re-signed inside linebacker Steven Johnson to a one-year contract. No terms were released. Mike Klis, of the Denver Post, had the story first.

He was not tendered in restricted free agency, but he's likely to have re-signed for a cheaper price tag than the lowest-possible tender of $1.5 million.

Johnson is shot out of a cannon as a run-defender. He arrives at the play with natural violence, and he's known as a big-hitter and an intimidating presence on defense.

At 27-years old, Johnson gives the team good depth at the linebacker position. He can contribute on special teams as well.

Grade: C

The Denver Broncos have issued a press release stating they've signed tight end Owen Daniels to a three-year contract worth $12 million.

Daniels played for Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak with both the Houston Texans (2006-2013) and the Baltimore Ravens (2014).

In the release, Kubiak complimented the tight end.

“I’ve had the opportunity to coach Owen for the last nine years, and he’s the consummate pro,” Kubiak said. “He has one goal – to win a championship. Owen is a great player and an even better person and teammate. He is a leader and the type of guy you want on your football team.”

In Kubiak's offense, the team will use two-tight end sets often. They could really use a player like Daniels, and now they've got him wrapped up. As the lead tight end, Daniels could catch 50 or more passes in 2015.

Grade: B+

Tight end Julius Thomas has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Denver Post's Mike Klis expects the Jaguars to sign Thomas to a five-year contract in the $45 million range.

Thomas scored 24 touchdowns over the last two years for the Broncos, and his presence in the red zone will be missed. The Jaguars add a dangerous weapon to the passing game for young quarterback Blake Bortles.

With question marks at the wide receiver spot, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Thomas lead the Jaguars in receiving as a featured target in the offense.

As the Broncos' fifth corner on the depth chart, the team felt Tony Carter was worth keeping around in 2015. Mike Klis, from The Denver Post, has reported Carter was tendered a $1.542 million salary as a restricted free agent.

This move was partly procedural, but it puts a price tag on Carter the Broncos like. The money is non-guaranteed, and Denver has the right of first refusal if another team tries to sign him. Carter is currently the team's fifth cornerback, but he has made a few plays as a part-time defender.

If needed, Carter can play on special teams. He can also look for interceptions regularly when playing in the team’s dime package. Keeping Carter around isn’t a bad move for Denver, but he’ll have to once again work hard to make the final roster, as the Broncos are stacked at the cornerback position.

Grade: C-

Adam Schefter, from ESPN, reports the Houston Texans have signed free safety Rahim Moore, formerly of the Denver Broncos.

Moore was arguably the best free safety left on the open market after Devin McCourty decided to re-sign with the New England Patriots. The Broncos were unlikely to re-sign Moore because of their salary-cap restraints.

He's a liability against the run, but Moore can roam the middle as a centerfielder of the defense. So long as he keeps his confidence, the Texans got a good player here.

One of the breakout players for the Broncos in 2014 was linebacker Brandon Marshall. It was a no-brainer for the Broncos to keep this guy around. On Friday, a press release announced the team had tendered Marshall as an exclusive rights free agent.

Marshall started the 2014 season in place of an injured Danny Trevathan. By the time Trevathan was ready to return (briefly), Marshall had cemented himself as a starter.

He finished sixth in the NFL with 88 solo tackles in 2014, and Marshall showed an incredible nose for the football. Marshall is constantly around the ball-carrier, and he is a forceful tackler who will immediately and violently bring down an opponent.

Marshall proved that he could be counted on in coverage as well. With the Broncos moving to a 3-4 defense, Marshall is going to be asked to shoulder a large part of the load for Wade Phillips.

There’s no question he’ll be ready for the challenge as a star on the rise in Denver.

Grade: A

The Broncos offensive line is like a construction zone right now. Denver has pegged offensive tackle Paul Cornick and offensive guard Ben Garland as two guys they’d like to give hardhats to. On Friday, a press release from the team stated both were tendered as exclusive rights free agents.

Cornick has spent time at right tackle for the Broncos, but he’s also reported as a tackle-eligible player on certain downs. The Broncos have essentially used him as a blocking tight end from time to time on offense. He’s strong at the point of attack, but Cornick is a backup-caliber player who struggles to block elite edge-rushers. Cornick will compete at right tackle, but he’s best served as a reserve player or swing tackle.

Garland could be in the mix at left guard. The Air Force veteran has worked hard to make the team, first as a defensive end and now as a guard. He’s athletic enough to work in the zone-blocking system, and Garland might be the answer the team is looking for inside. He was inactive for half the season in 2014, but Garland looked good when he got onto the field as a part-time player.

Grade: C+

In a move that surprised some, defensive end Kendall Langford's Wednesday visit with the Denver Broncos was cancelled. The reason why? He just signed with the Indianapolis Colts according to Adam Schefter from ESPN.

Langford was a 16-game starter for the Rams in 2012 and 2013. Last year, he was benched in favor of rookie sensation Aaron Donald. In 2014, Langford played just 494 snaps (per ESPN employees only database), managing one sack. Still only 29 years old, it’s not surprising that Langford is attracting so much interest.

The move to the Colts means the Broncos are still searching for a five-technique defensive end for their defense.

The man known as "Pot Roast" will now take his talents to our nation's capital. Josina Anderson, from ESPN, reported Terrance Knighton signed a one-year contract with Washington on Thursday.

The deal is worth only $4 million--a price that many thought he'd surpass on the open market. There were rumors swirling earlier on Thursday that teams were weary of signing Knighton because he was out of shape.

Knighton is a big dude, so it's not outrageous to assume that he may have let himself go a little this offseason. Washington decides to take a chance, and Knighton will be the likely replacement for Barry Cofield.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.