Are the Denver Broncos the biggest winners of NFL free agency?

Thus far, the Denver Broncos have made the following signings in the 2025 free agency period:

Safety Talanoa Hufanga – 3 years $45 Million

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw – 3 years $35 Million

Tight End Evan Engram – 2 years $23 Million

Wide Receiver Trent Sherffield Sr. – 2 years $6 Million

Despite the departures of linebacker Cody Barton and running back Javonte Williams, the class has many fans speculating on if the Broncos’ free agency haul is the best of any team in the 2025 cycle. Although four signings is a below-average number, each one filled a crucial need for Denver.

Talanoa Hufanga

Former 49ers 5th round pick Talanoa Hufanga joins Denver on a heavily incentive based contract. The young safety brings his physical playstyle to a safety room that was extremely shaky in 2024, Brandon Jones was a stable force in a group that was otherwise poor, PJ Locke regressed from his 2023 breakout form, young players JL Skinner and Delarrin Turner-Yell have yet to produce outside of special teams, and 5th year player Devon Key struggled when given opportunity. Hufanga’s best year was his All-Pro 2022 season where he collected 97 tackles, forced two fumbles, and reeled in 4 interceptions. He has since suffered a torn ACL and a wrist injury that has kept him out of the lineup for San Francisco, if he gets back to healthy 2022 form he can certainly elevate this Broncos DB room to among the best in the league.

Dre Greenlaw

Veteran linebacker Dre Greenlaw has seen great success in the NFL as a day three draft pick in 2019. He compiled 455 tackles in his time for San Francisco and helped them to Super Bowl LVIII. He spent almost all of his 2024 season recovering from the injury he suffered in that game and he now hopes to return to his elite form with the Broncos. Linebacker was yet another position of need for Denver prior to the signing, especially after journeyman Cody Barton left for the Titans. Alex Singleton missed most of 2024 with a torn ACL, and at age 31 it is unlikely he returns fully to his previous form. The Broncos re-signed Justin Strnad who played well in relief of Singleton in 2024. The rest of the room consists of 2022 3rd round pick Drew Sanders who is yet to consistently produce, as well as 2024 UDFA Levelle Bailey who spent 2024 on the practice squad.

Evan Engram

Perhaps the BIGGEST need for Denver prior to free agency was tight end, Adam Trautman led the room in yards with just 188 in 2024. The group as a whole was the third worst in the entire league with just 483 yards gained by Tight Ends. Veteran addition Evan Engram has achieved more than that himself in every healthy season of his career. The former first round pick by New York saw his best years with Jacksonville where in 2023 he led the league in receptions with 114, the 2nd most catches for a tight end in a season ever. He was released by the jaguars after a mostly injured 2024 season, and now joins Denver as their TE1 without question.

Trent Sherfield Sr.

Finally the Broncos brought in veteran wide receiver Trent Sherfield, however his role with Denver likely comes through special teams as the Broncos starting gunner Tremon Smith left for Houston this off-season. Sherfield is an experienced gunner who also found success catching passes with the Dolphins in 2022 where he had a career best 417 yards.

The Denver Broncos solidify their defense as a top 5 unit in the league and grab Bo Nix a steady pass catching option from the Tight End position. They also retained a key piece in Defensive Tackle DJ Jones. They certainly should be talked about as perhaps the biggest winners of 2025 free agency.


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