The Denver Broncos are starting to evaluate possible free agent options, and one of the names generating buzz as a potential acquisition is running back Breece Hall, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. Kosmider covered Hall and several other free agent possibilities in his recent mailbag, and he noted that Hall represents a good fit, but he’d also be a significant investment.
Consider the fit first. Hall is just 25, but he’s produced over 5,000 yards from scrimmage and 27 touchdowns in his four years with the New York Jets, and he did it with an offense that had no quarterback stability and rotating schemes and play callers, as Kosmider noted. He might not be the ideal back to run between the tackles, but Hall would be the playmaker that’s desperately needed by the Broncos investment.
The question is the investment. Hall would want something around $40 million for four years, according to Kosmider, and a good chunk of that money would have to be guaranteed. Coach Sean Payton hasn’t gone in big on free-agent running backs in the past, but a comp like Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints might be appropriate considering that Kamara got paid and then some after his first contract.
Kosmider also mentioned tight end Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons and receiver Alec Pierce of the Indianapolis Colts as other free agent possibilities on offense, but neither seems like a great fit. Pitts finally fulfilled some of his potential this year in Atlanta, catching 88 passes for 928 hards and five touchdowns, but the fact that he underachieved for several years before that makes him feel like a dubious candidate.
Pierce would be a splashy signing, but this would also represent a significant change in Payton’s approach. At 6’3” 211 pounds, Pierce offers some of the size Payton covets, but the coach has talked up his group of young receivers, and Troy Franklin took a major step up this season and has vowed to add some weight to his 6’3” frame.
If Payton and GM George Paton do decide to go defense in free agency, linebacker Devin Lloyd of the Jacksonville Jaguars was another name Kosmider mentioned. He’s going to get paid, though, with Spotrac and Pro Football Focus both estimating the AAV of his upcoming contract at something along the lines of $20 million. That also doesn’t feel like a fit given the strength of the linebacking corps, and it would make a lot more sense for Denver to draft for linebacking depth.