The Denver Broncos are actively looking to shore up a potential weak spot on their defence.
The Broncos’ very quiet offseason in terms of signings has raised concerns about their starting cornerback opposite Pat Surtain II. The Broncos are planning to address them.
“Free agent CB Levi Wallace will visit the #Broncos tomorrow,” Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reported on April 11. “Wallace has 12 career INTs and 54 PBUs with the #Bills and #Steelers.”
Wallace joined the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
A three-year starter at Alabama, a solid senior season did not boost his draft stock. Wallace signed with the Bills, where he spent four seasons and started all 52 games.
He spent the last two seasons with the Steelers, starting 18 of 31 games and allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 53.3% of throws thrown his way, according to Pro Football Reference.
He has also seen the fewest snaps for his squad in his career during that time.
For the Broncos, the meeting could come down to cash in order for all sides to reach an agreement.
Levi Wallace might be a cost-effective option for the Broncos in free agency.
Wallace has had at least two interceptions in each of the past five seasons. The 6-foot, 179-pound defensive back is coming off the lowest grade of his six-year career, according to Pro Football Focus.
His grades have likewise declined steadily since his debut season. Nonetheless, coming off a two-year, $8 million contract, he would certainly be available at a reasonable price.
Spotrac predicts he’ll get a two-year, $11.8 million contract during this free agency period.
Given the production, one has to question if the Broncos would bite at that price. According to Spotrac, they have $18 million in cap space and are unlikely to make any other major changes. A one-year flier may be a happy medium.
It would allow Wallace to try free agency next offseason, while the Broncos could ease into a prospective rookie addition this season.
With Surtain in the fold, whomever opposes him will face a slew of challenges.
CB is arguably the Broncos’ biggest need outside of quarterback.
In addition to Surtain, the Broncos currently have six other cornerbacks on their roster. Only Ja’Quan McMillan and Damarri Mathis faced multiple targets in coverage last season. Quinyon Mitchell, a Toledo cornerback, is a popular anticipated No. 12 overall pick.
“He’s built like a running back, tackles like a safety, and possesses cornerback-level ball skills. Mitchell can play in a variety of coverages and was the clear top cornerback at the Senior Bowl when he practiced against the top receivers,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted. “While he needs to trace a more efficient path when hounding the route, his burst to close and physicality at the catch point could create tougher throwing windows for quarterbacks.”
If the Broncos do not move up for a quarterback and none falls to them at No. 12, Mitchell may be the best choice on the board and for the Broncos given their needs.
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