Denver Bronco Free Agent Defensive Tackle Breakdown

The 2013 Denver Broncos finally put getting big, strong, and powerful defensive tackles on the team a priority. Prior to this year Kevin Vickerson was the only defensive tackle I thought was a true player at that position. He showed that during the season when he is healthy he can play at a very high level. Denver also signed Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton to the team from Jacksonville, and while he had a slow start one could make an argument that he was the best defensive player Denver had coming down the stretch. Along with the signing of Knighton Denver used their first pick in the draft to take Sylvester Williams out of North Carolina. He basically disappeared for the first half of the season, but finished strong and showed he could get to the QB by getting a couple sacks during the time he was in the game. All that being said I still think Denver needs to add another veteran to the team who is as big and as strong as the 3 players I mentioned above. With Vickerson coming off a hip injury getting a guy who could step in for him would be a smart move. So, once again, if I was in the front office of the Denver Broncos these would be the players I would target. 1) Linval Joseph from the New York Giants. Denver would be a much improved team if they could land a guy like Joseph. First off he is big, 6'4 and 325lbs, physical, and has a great motor. He could come into Denver and be a nice addition to competition that will take place to see who will be the starters at defensive tackle going into next year. 2) Jason Hatcher from the Dallas Cowboys. While Joseph is a younger guy who will be looking for a larger contract, Hatcher is older (31), would be more affordable than Joseph. I also believe Hatcher has the best pass rush ability of all the other DTs up for free agency as he put up some impressive numbers last year getting 11 sacks. While he isn't as wide as other defensive tackles (Hatcher weighs 299lbs) Hatcher more than makes up for it by using his length (6'6). This is a player who reminds me of Richard Seymour, in that he is tall, exceptionally strong, and he is quick enough to get up field to the opposing teams QB. Sylvester Williams has shown his ability to rush the passer, and adding Hatcher would give Denver another guy who can generate pressure up the middle. I get excited when I think about the possible defensive line we could put out in nickel, and dime situations. With Hatcher and Williams at defensive tackle we will be able to make a team think twice before trying to run on us. Then when you put Shaun Phillips, and Von Miller on the outside you now have 4 guys who can flat out get to the QB. 3) Paul Soliai from the Miami Dolphins. Soliai fits the mold of what Denver would be looking for him to do. He is older so he to could probably be attained at a cheaper price, and being 6'4 and 340lbs it would give Denver another 330+ pound defensive tackle to plug up the middle with. While not as versatile as Hatcher, Soliai could come in and compete for a starting spot just like every other player has to. He would be a great insurance policy should Vickerson, Knighton, or Williams get injured. Finally I am including a long shot here, but BJ Raji from Green Bay is available and I have read that Green Bay doesn't necessarily want to sign him. I am not sure Denver has the cap space to bring in a guy like Raji who would step in and be one of the starters here immediately. If there was a way that Denver could land Raji we would go from having two very good defensive tackles to having a very special player there as well. If I had to pick one of these guys to come to Denver it would be Jason Hatcher from Dallas. To get a guy who who not only has the size to stop the run, but also can generate a LOT of pressure up the middle by using his length to compliment his strength. Now obviously I would love to see BJ Raji come here, and I think Manning and Champ have both agreed to to renegotiate their contracts to free up more cap space, but I am still not sure they could afford what Raji will most likely ask. Of course there are other solid players out there at the defensive tackle position, but these are the four that caught my eye the most.