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The Denver Broncos brought back Devon Key and Dondrea Tillman ahead of NFL Free Agency as two of their first key moves. They also tendered defensive lineman Jordan Jackson and running back Tyler Badie. How might Jackson factor into a sleeper role replacement for John Franklin-Myers and how can the Broncos better utilize Badie if he makes the roster.
Cody Roark and Sayre Bedinger share their thoughts on the first set of team moves by the Broncos ahead of NFL Free Agency.
Cody Roark is a credentialed beat reporter for Mile High Sports and covers the Broncos daily in person. Sayre Bedinger is the site expert for Predominantly Orange. Both bring Broncos Country the most in-depth and objective coverage of the Denver Broncos.
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Before NFL free agency begins today at the legal negotiating period, the Broncos have taken
care of four exclusive rights free agents.
Two of them could have a massive role this upcoming season.
You are Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Lockdown podcast
network, your team, every day.
And NFL free agency frenzy is upon us Broncos country.
Welcome into another episode, Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part
of the Lockdown podcast number, the number one sports podcast network in the country.
All thanks to all you every day is out there.
Thank you so much for tuning in, making us your first listen, however you choose to
do.
So Sarah and I on today's episode show, we're going to talk about the Broncos tendering
four of their exclusive rights free agents.
This upcoming season will go through with some of the envision roles are for some of
these players, including why Jordan Jackson might be a sleeper to start at defensive
end this upcoming season.
On top of that, we'll also analyze who has the best chance to make the roster from this
group of players ahead of all the crazy and fun festivities that is illegal negotiating
period, which also begins today.
So expect a lot of bonus content this week here, Lockdown Broncos.
I'm Cody Rohr, credential Broncos reporter for mile high sports.
Jordan is always by Sarah Beddinger, site expert of their predominantly orange.com.
Sarah, look, we're here.
This is a big week.
I'm jam packed excited about it.
I know Broncos country isn't speaking to jam packed.
I know we're going to have tons of bonus content, bonus shows all throughout this week
for Broncos country for NFL free agency.
But you know, the Broncos taken care of four of their in house players who were exclusive
rights options, not necessarily restricted or unrestricted guys here.
Let's talk about that starting off with Devon Key, the Broncos.
They tender Devon Key, Don Dre Tillman, Jordan Jackson, and running back Tyler Bodeil.
Let's start off with Devon.
You don't find better bargains than what you're getting out of Devon Key as an exclusive
rights free agent, right, Cody?
I mean, when you're talking about somebody who was an all pro who's getting resigned at
the price of 1.075 million or whatever the ERFA tender is, exactly.
I mean, you don't get a better value than that.
An all pro performer for the price, essentially, of a veteran minimum contract.
I don't even know if that's going to count against the top 51.
This offseason for the Broncos.
So you'll get Devon Key back.
And look, I think that Sean Payton mentioned it anytime you are, I can't remember the exact
way that he worded it, but he was like anytime you hear a most in franchise history with
a player.
I mean, shoot.
That's something that you, you look at, you recognize, you celebrate, and you reward.
And Devon Key, I mean, he's gone from being a cast off of the Kansas City Chiefs to being
a practice squad player for the Broncos.
And I'm sure he was one of those scout team of the week guys many times over all the
way up to now and all pro special teams performer and a crucial player for Darren Rizzy's special
teams unit.
Really nice to have the Broncos bring him back at the price they got him.
I mean, you almost feel bad for the guy, although he's probably getting a substantial
raise as well.
I'm hoping that he does get like some incentives baked into this and there's always a chance
to that the Broncos at some point could extend him, give him a couple of years or whatever
it may be.
But man, you talk about arguably the best special teams player in the NFL and there's
so many good players around the league, but Devon Key, 26 special teams tackles there that
sets a franchise record for the Denver Broncos.
And obviously for him, I mean, that's such a massive climb.
I mean, I just remember watching him a couple of years ago, just as this guy that's getting
reps with the 13 defense special teams wasn't necessarily something that was in the back
of your mind because the new kickoff rule wasn't necessarily in place.
So it's like, how does a guy like Devon Key make a roster, right?
That was the conversation, but he's stacked really good days in Trenton camp.
I mean, he played really well in the preseason.
And then now with this new kickoff rule change, I think it is really highlighted some of
the better players around the league, including Devon Key.
So very, very deserving of him to get into this consideration here of, hey, the Broncos
want to bring him back.
I mean, I feel like this was a no brainer.
I know you and I did a show on all the Broncos exclusive rights free agents, probably
about a month ago saying, hey, like, these are the guys you want to bring back.
These are the guys that you're okay with.
Maybe not bringing it back.
Devon Key was a non-negotiable, bring this guy back into the mix.
And look, we'll also highlight in the show as well a little bit later on how maybe his
role on defense can grow this upcoming season.
But you talk about a guy who's constantly, if you watch kickoff, if you watch putt coverage,
you watch anything.
He's a core four special teams ace.
You're going to see number 26 wherever the football is.
And the fact that there are guys that try to double team him to eliminate him, that's
what teams have scouted.
Like, hey, 26, they're best tackler, they're best special teams player.
There are times where you're seeing him try to track the football.
He's breaking through double teams to make a play.
His rise is so important.
I think it's also a tip of the cap to the Broncos player developmental system that they
believe that they have internally.
That's huge for them going forward.
And I think guys who are in this category, young guys exclusive rights, now you get a chance
to see these guys shine a little bit more here.
Let's go to Don Drey Tillman arguably one of the most impactful players in a role player
position that the Broncos have here.
They're bringing him back into the mix as well, obviously played 37% of Denver's defensive
snaps last season saw an uptick overall, especially with Jonah Ellis had his injury that
he was dealing with.
Man, four sacks.
I mean, this was probably the biggest bring back.
And the fact that you're getting Don Drey Tillman back at this price point, it's kind of
silly.
Like, both he and Devin Key and my opinion deserve more money.
They deserve to get paid a little bit.
Hopefully an extension in Denver in the next couple of years.
It's great to see the Broncos able to get him back at this price too, because like we
talked about with Devin Key, you're, you're really getting a lot of bang for your buck when
it comes to Don Drey Tillman, even if Don Drey was signing at the restrictive free agent numbers,
which is over three million and five million respectively for the low round tender and
the second round tender.
But he's not, he's coming back on an exclusive rights tender, which is like I said, veteran
minimum and shoot Cody.
I mean, when he had the ball in his hands, folks in Broncos country are like, man, should
this guy be playing some tight end for us?
Because he's got some, he's got not only some wheels, but he was making some guys miss
in the open field when he had the ball in his hands.
So Don Drey Tillman, a very athletic option.
I know you also did a bonus episode.
And I'm sure we'll discuss the potential of maybe him taking over for John Franklin
Myers.
I know that versatility was there.
We saw at the UFL level when you and I were kind of watching him initially, but just another
really cool success story, somebody who came from nowhere.
I mean, he played three years for the Birmingham stallions, like think about how much patience
that required on his part to just wait for his opportunity.
And once you get it in a place like Denver where there's no clear path to playing time
where there's no clear path to making an impact in your role, like he found a way to maximize
every snap.
So remember, I think it was that game against Tampa Bay.
2024 was the first time we saw number 92 come in screaming off the edge.
And everybody's like, did somebody reincarnate Elvis Duberville and put him back on the
field for the Broncos?
No, no, that's Don Drey Tillman, who's a really good all around player.
So just maximizing snaps and playing well on special teams.
Look, that's what you want out of your depth.
And that's exactly what he brings to the table.
Yeah, two sacks against Baker Mayfield in that game that you were referencing against
the Buccaneers just a couple of years ago.
That's really where it's like, hey, the Broncos might have a little bit of a gem here.
He's been a special player.
The next one, Jordan Jackson didn't play much here in 2025 saw some action here and there,
but because of the Broncos defensive line depth in Yoma, Uazurika having a little bit of
a larger role there, Jordan Jackson didn't really see much time on the field though.
He is one of George Payton's favorite guys that he has scouted.
It seems like they're being a little patient here.
There's not much of a rush to say like, hey, this guy isn't a good fit for us.
I think he's in that player developmental program that obviously the Broncos view and value
internally here, which is going to open up some things I know we'll talk about for him,
but obviously your thoughts on bringing him back into the mix valuable depth for the
defensive line, somebody who's played for you before somebody who can contribute.
Obviously he was drafted by the Saints Cody when Cody Rager was still in that scouting
department or front office.
So I can't remember his exact role with the Saints, but certainly you have two front
offices that like him and coaching staff that likes him and he's a developmental guy
who may just need that opportunity.
Once again, I thought he showed some flashes when he got a chance in 2024, but you're just
too good on the defensive line in 2025 for him to really play all that much.
Then you draft Savion Jones in Yoma, Uazurika develops, but now that John Franklin Myers
appears to be on the way out, I think this is really necessary depth and experience depth
for the Broncos to bring back.
It's going to open up the door from some competition here this off season, which I know
we're going to highlight here in a minute.
Last guy to talk about here in terms of getting in the RFA tender running back Tyler Bade
and I know like you're seeing teams around the entire NFL make trades over the last handful
of days and everyone's like, why aren't the Broncos doing anything?
Oh, they just got the tender Tyler Bade.
This is not like hey Tyler Bade is going to be a lock for the roster necessarily.
This is hey, the Broncos, they're bringing it back who they believe is one of the best
past protection back so far on their roster.
It's going to ensure that he's going to have some competition here this off season.
Your initial thoughts on Tyler Bade's return.
Well, I think the Broncos probably know and have the self awareness that they have to
upgrade the running back position all over the place, not just the starter position,
but their depth.
And I think that includes Tyler Bade, although I will say Cody, to play, I suppose a little
bit of devil's advocate at this point because the fan base has sort of turned on him,
myself included at times.
Tyler Bade was third in the NFL last year in yards after the catch per reception.
So he's got that going for him.
And he also is a trustworthy player in past protection.
We've heard Sean Peyton talk about that.
So I mean, your depth and competition, it's all got to be there in the off season.
So if you bring in players who can unseat Tyler Bade, I think that does mean something with
this coaching staff.
It may not mean much to the fan base, but I think to the coaching staff and to the team
overall, it would mean something for somebody to come into the building and beat him out
for his job.
And right now the Broncos running back roster is RJ Harvey, Tyler Bade, Cody Schrader
and Duce Vaughn, who signed their futures contracts.
So those are four backs that we know will be on the roster here this summer during training
camp right now unless things obviously change between now and then we expect Denver to add
to this position.
But Broncos country coming up next, Sarah and I are going to discuss what the envision
roles are for players like Devon Key, where he can grow and maybe play a little bit more
Jordan Jackson in a surprise competition.
Tyler Bade's role in competition has so much more here on today's episode of the show.
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What types of roles could the Broncos be envisioning for these players who just signed exclusive
rights free agent tenders?
Well, Cody and I are going to tell you exactly that some increased roles potentially on the
way for a handful of these guys and maybe just a chance to compete for others.
We're going to talk about it on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos and Broncos country.
Thanks so much for rocking with us all throughout the off season every single day for all you
every day is out there.
If you haven't already done so we want to invite you to join the every day or all access club.
There's a lot of benefits from that, especially because the off season does not exist for us
here at Lockdown Broncos and thus the every day or all access club free agency is here and
so are we.
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now through March 15th you can go add free with the show, keep the conversation going on
discord.
You can check out the link in the show notes or just go to Lockdown Broncos dot supercast
dot com for more on that Cody, let's talk about roles for these players because I think
that right now the perception is solid death, but maybe there's a little bit more when
it comes to bringing some of these guys back.
I think anytime you show that you will do a great job with limited work.
I think then a coaching staff in the NFL is going to say, all right, we can now trust
you with a little bit more.
I think that's for sure going to be the case for players like Devon Key and Don Drake
Tillman.
Yeah, I think first off, we probably have to highlight these two guys is having the
most on their plate perceived wise like in terms of their roles.
I think for Don Drake Tillman, we already saw the situation kind of play out for him last
year, right?
He was initially fourth in the outside linebacker rotation behind Nick Benito, Jonathan Cooper,
Jonah Ellis, but Jonah's injury that he had or the various injuries that he had and
the time that he missed really elevated Don Drake into this very important role where
I felt like he earned a little bit more trust as the season went on, which I mean, and
he's made the most of his opportunities.
A guy who doesn't get food very easily by a mobile quarterback, he's got deceptively
good speed for a guy at his size.
I think he plays well on the edge.
I think he does well crashing down playing against the run and the pass rush element certainly
is there with him as well, which is obviously one of the more important feats.
Plus, he plays special team.
So let's start off with Don Drake Tillman.
This is where I'm always wondering what the Broncos may be thinking in terms of where
they're depth is at because right now, an outside linebacker, my goodness, with Tillman
coming back, that puts them at five guys, which isn't a bad thing to have.
But we talked about Q Robinson, the flashes that we saw from him last season, the chance
to maybe want to see more of a role for him on defense in the rotation next year.
Well, what does this mean for the Broncos who were so deep there with Benito and Cooper
as the starters, Ellis, who's looking to bounce back after a rough year due to injuries
for him, Tillman and his role?
I wouldn't be surprised that the Broncos coming into training camps there play a little bit
with Tillman not only getting outside linebacker reps, but maybe playing some defensive end
from time to time in training camp.
We might see that play out maybe in the preseason, but that's maybe the role I envision
seeing a little bit more of from Tillman this season.
Yeah, and I'd be interested to know, like, will the Broncos ask him to add some weight?
I mean, he doesn't necessarily need to add too much because he's already a big edge player.
But at the same time, you know, to hold up at the point of attack to play more interior
defensive line or even defensive end in Vance Joseph's defense might require a little bit
of extra, you know, a poundage on the frame.
So I'll be interested to find out what they're asking of him in that regard, but it does
open up a conversation that we had on our Friday squad show last week where we're talking
about, hey, should the Broncos entertain the idea now that he's got, I think, two years
left on his contract, Jonathan Cooper potentially being included in a trade because you also
have two years left on Caden Ellis's rookie contract.
You have three years left on Q Robinsons.
So you've got team control on those guys and you don't necessarily know at this point,
are they going to be long term fixtures for this team?
Because by the time those contracts run up, meaning I guess Jonathan Cooper and Caden Ellis
at this point, you have to decide and figure out who's going to stick around or are we going
to keep on resetting the clock?
And I mean, so I don't know, we've talked about who's getting bigger roles, all that.
I'm interested for your thoughts on that because I didn't have anyone to have my back just
for floating the idea out there on the squad show, Cody.
So I just need to know your thoughts.
I hate the idea of trading Jonathan Cooper because he means so much to the team, but also
the Broncos, they're in a position right now where it's not necessarily robbing Peter
to pay Paul.
It's, it's, you cannot, you can't not get anything for these guys at the end of the day.
So are you going to get the production out of Jonah Ellis?
Are you going to get the draft compensation or player compensation for Cooper?
Or are you just going to keep riding it out and staying with how things are?
Yeah.
No, I was going to say, I was like, you must really be set on Caden Ellis coming to Denver
and free agency because you know, I was like, you were speaking again to existence there
for a little bit there, but I mean, I, I, I debate on this all time.
Look, I think Jonathan Cooper, sir, is too valuable right now for Denver's defense.
And look, I think people could say, well, he went all these weeks, you know, I think
what was it?
He didn't, he didn't have a sack from week nine on really until the AFC championship.
I understand it.
But like Cooper, the thing you're getting from him is the constant energy, the disruption,
the pressure that's forcing quarterbacks to run right into guys like JFM or your defensive
tackles or obviously Zach Allen.
I, I mean, it really depends if the Broncos need a player, right?
If they're getting calls from some team saying, hey, we really need this guy.
We want to include him if the requires the Broncos, though, maybe you consider it, man,
I just, I would have a hard time.
It kind of goes against the M.O. of what the Broncos or Georgia Sean have done so far
since they have at least been paired together.
But no, I'm with you.
I'm with you.
I'm very curious to see how it all plays out.
Let's talk about Devon Key here.
In the event that the Broncos don't resign PJ Locke here this off season, I very much
think that Devon Key is going to slide into that third safety spot.
And I think he'll probably have a larger role defensively the season than what he's had
in years past.
Because look, even when the Broncos have had injuries to obviously Locke, who Fongo getting
banged up from time to time, but still playing in the games, Brandon Jones injury, we've
seen Devon Key fill in and play relatively well for Denver at the safety position.
So I do see that for them going forward to me.
The one to watch though is Jordan Jackson, Jordan Jackson, bigger defensive lineman, right?
In terms of overall weight, I think he's, I think he's close to 300 pounds, but man,
he's athletic for a guy at 300 pounds.
I think, and I don't know why I didn't think about this before.
I think we're waiting for the decision.
I could very much see Jordan Jackson getting thrust into this potential defensive end competition
in the summer on Inyoma, Uazurike and Savion Jones, who's entering year two, but essentially
will be an on field rookie because they don't have much experience so far, playing.
He might be the sleeper name to watch a defensive end.
Yeah, absolutely.
I mean, guys can emerge from within at any point in time.
It doesn't.
I think it's just like the story with Inyoma, Uazurike as well, right?
He was out of football for a year and then he kind of spent a year re-acclimating himself
before he played quite well this past year.
So as we like to always say on the show, development is not always linear in terms of this guy's
going to come out.
He's going to get increased snaps every year.
His sack numbers are going to go up every year.
I mean, that's just not always how it works.
Sometimes these guys are developing behind the scenes and they're just ready for the opportunity
when it comes.
So I would say be ready for something unexpected like this, you know, when it comes to the
offseason and the Broncos believing in their player development, Jordan Jackson could
absolutely play that kind of role this coming season.
Yeah, I'm curious to see maybe if Denver adds to this position group as well in free agency.
I mean, if they're not going to pay JFM, it doesn't make sense that they're going to
go out there and spend big, but maybe they can add another veteran guy at maybe a vet
minimum, so to speak, or maybe they go in the NFL draft and add to this room.
I think they had to look to the future, especially in this year's NFL draft, we'll see if they
go in through and add the necessary death pieces.
But Broncos country coming up next, Sarah and I already discussed two players already
roster locks for the Broncos in 2026 out of this group of exclusive rights, free agents,
but how can Jordan Jackson, how can Tyler bidet solidify a role for themselves here this
upcoming season?
We'll go through and talk about that and how they can make the roster on today's episode
of the show.
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Don Drake Tillman and Devon Key are a parent roster locks already in the month of March for
the 2026 NFL season.
How can they solidify that?
But more importantly, how can guys like Tyler Bade and Jordan Jackson earn a roster spot
will go through all that here on today's episode of the show.
I want to say thank you once again to everyone in Bronco's country just a reminder.
We got you covered literally every single day all year long.
You get regular episodes plus bonus episodes going forward every single day all year long.
So you want more Bronco's content?
You get that here plus with NFL free agency frenzy upon us.
We're going to keep you busy.
So make sure you check out the everyday or all access club.
We're going to get all 22 breakdowns of whoever the Bronco's signed in NFL free agency,
who they resign from their team and so much more.
We appreciate you, Sarah.
I think it's pretty easy for us to sit here as we stand today saying, hey, Devon Key,
Andre Tillman, these guys are evident roster locks already as exclusive rights free agents
going into 2026.
That makes it a little bit easier.
But how can guys like Jordan Jackson?
How can guys like Tyler Bade earn themselves a roster spot here this upcoming season where
their role right now is not necessarily guaranteed?
Let's start off with Jordan Jackson.
Yeah, I think Jordan Jackson is going to have to fend off the emerging players, not only
on the defensive line, but when you get into the roster numbers game, he's also going
at the fend off players coming off the edge and I know that they don't play the same
position.
But when you talk about defensive linemen and edge guys, I mean, the Broncos will keep
a lot.
They might keep 11 guys.
They might keep 6D linemen.
They might keep five edge players on this roster.
But you are going to have to fight off whoever they add this off season because even before
they start adding players, I mean, it's already a pretty deep and solidified group.
We'll see what happens with how they approach the draft because I've talked about this.
You and I have talked about this.
Others have discussed the possibility of defensive line being an option early in this draft
because that's just how George Payton, Sean Payton, they like to draft not only in the
trenches, but they like to draft to the team strengths, right?
And they don't necessarily care if a guy is going to play right away.
They want to get the best possible pick that they can get wherever they're picking.
And so they might not draft to a need in the first round.
They might draft to a strength and the defensive line certainly fits there.
So I think Jordan, he's going to be in that position where he's not only fighting off
the additions on the D line, but he's fighting off any additions made to the edge group where
they're already five players deep right now going into the 2026 off season.
All right.
This is a little off topic, but it has to do with defensive end.
Now we saw over the week that veteran Cam Jordan was released by the New Orleans Saints.
And he's played a lot of football throughout the course of his career.
Could we see the Broncos maybe have interest in paying him a one year deal, or maybe this
could be it for him.
I don't know.
I mean, maybe there's a chance he returns to New Orleans.
I mean, the fact that they released him says that there's probably not a chance that
that happens, but he wants to play obviously the former ties to Sean Payton.
Would you be on board like if the Broncos aren't paying Jeff and which we know they're
not?
Would you be on board with them maybe doing some sort of deal with Cam Jordan to be a veteran
defensive end opposite to Zach Allen?
It's funny.
You bring this up, Cody, because I once again, I was on an island during the squad show
talking about this very subject bringing in Cam Jordan, you know, Nick, I'm not offended,
but I love Nick, but he laughed at me.
He laughed at this idea of Cam Jordan.
I think it's a great idea.
And I here's how here's what I said because we were talking about, okay, well, the Broncos,
they need to play Uazurika.
They need to play Savion Jones.
They can't sign somebody like Cam Jordan at the expense of those young guys.
And to me, I'm saying we're what we're weighing here is the thought of, we need to play our
young guys.
And we got to go win a freaking championship.
We got to go win a Lombardi trophy and Cam Jordan can help you do that.
He can help bring along Savion Jones.
Savion Jones career does not depend on what happens in 2026.
The Broncos are in a suitable championship window right now.
So I want Cam Jordan.
I want Von Miller.
I want these guys on this team, Cam Jordan, a 10 and a half sacks last year.
So I just don't understand why you worry about that on the team.
I mean, yeah, he's still, it's, I know that, you know, like they were telling me, Nick
and Anilo, my guys, they're saying, hey, these guys are long in the tooth.
They're not as productive as they once were.
And I'm saying they combined for 19 and a half sacks last year being Cam Jordan and Von
Miller while the Broncos pass rushers, Nick Bonito and Jonathan Cooper combined for 22.
That's not a big gap right there.
We're talking about guys who barely played at Von Miller is a 30% player, 40% player.
I mean, nine sacks.
So I like the veteran additions.
I don't think it has to be a all or nothing deal this year with these young guys agreed.
And that's the thing I want the Broncos to avoid because I'm, like I said, I personally
believe the loss of JFM is going to be massive for this team.
I think it's going to be a massive hole that we're going to see at times, depending on
what Denver does this off season, Cam Jordan coming in is not going to play 78% of your
defensive snaps.
I think instead of just supplementing and hoping and praying that in Yomo, Uazuriki and
Savion Jones can all of a sudden, both those guys can supplement the production of JFM.
You bring in a proven guy like Cam Jordan on a one year deal.
You're going to get him involved in the rotation there with those guys and allows everyone
to stay fresh.
Seeing that Sean Peyton has always said he and Sean has compared Zach Allen to Cam
Jordan saying, man, the motor, you know, play number four is going to be the same as play
number 48 in a game.
You're going to get that same high motor high energy from them.
You need good death because we're not talking about Zach Allen playing 99% of the Broncos
defensive snaps.
Zach Allen's also going to need a breather from time to time.
And so you're going to rely on in Yomo, Uazuriki and Savion Jones as the answer to that
will also not having JFM back into the mix.
To me, it makes sense for a guy like Cam Jordan to come to the mix.
I know this was an exclusive rights free agent show, but my goodness, I'm with you.
Sarah, I wish I was on Friday show.
I know I lost power because we finally had a snow for the first time in a long time in
my area.
So I wish I could have been there to defend you, man, because I would have called them
out.
And you know what, we're going to have a squad show here as well this week.
We're going to have a couple.
So I can't wait to kind of get the juices flowing there and maybe challenge these guys
thinking because it's not like you're bringing a Cam Jordan to be like this end all be
our replacement.
You're bringing in a veteran guy who's not only a good locker room fit for you, but you
know you're going to get good production from him as well.
That is the transition plan to allow these younger guys room to grow and develop even
further in my opinion.
So I'm with you on that.
Let's talk Tyler Bade.
I think right here, my biggest thing that I would like the Broncos to do with Tyler,
this upcoming season, at least this summer when you bring in competition.
He's going to have competition for his job.
No doubt about it.
I'm curious to see how maybe a guy like Cody Schrader fits in the mix.
I just don't know if Duce Fawn is going to compete for a 53 man roster spot.
I think it'll be a good practice squad player for you.
But then again, stranger things have happened.
But for me, if the Broncos are going to go into 2026 and let's say they want Tyler
Bade on the act of roster, sir, they have to give him more carries that he can't just
be your past bro back.
He can't just be your past catching back.
He needs actual touches where I think what we have seen historically from him in the preseason
and at times in a regular season, he's pretty dang good as a rusher in the small amount
of sample size that we've seen from him.
There was once a time when Broncos country was clamoring for more touches for Tyler Bade
and now they're kind of like upset that he's on the team.
So it's very interesting how quickly the tides can shift in the NFL world when it comes
to fan perception and things like that.
And I agree with you, but Dave's going to be on the team.
He can't be telegraphing what they're doing.
And I think that's where the Davis web promotion to play collar and offensive coordinator
really comes into play for the Denver Broncos this off season is that, hey, the vision for
players may stay the same largely, but the usage of those players and the execution of
that vision may be looking a little bit different for this team going forward.
So I think I agree, Cody, I think it has to be a different role for him coming back that
amplifies his skill set as opposed to, hey, he's, we talked about this.
He shouldn't be taking past catching reps from RJ Harvey at this point.
I mean, when you're talking about the two minute drill, RJ Harvey was one of the biggest
game changers after the catch in the league last year.
I mean, at some of some of the plays that he made was crazy.
So I think that the Broncos need to get him more involved as well.
It'll just be fascinating to see as Badea depth guy.
Does he get an opportunity to showcase in the preseason and go play somewhere else?
I think best case scenario for him is that's likely what happens.
The Broncos reset the running back position, Bade shows out in the preseason and either
forces himself as a fourth back on this team or plays well enough in the preseason that
he gets a shot as a number two or three somewhere else.
Yeah, and look, the fact that he's been on this roster since the Nathaniel Hackaday is
I think that says a lot.
I mean, his, I think we all forget sometimes his first ever NFL touch was a touchdown.
It was a past catching touchdown actually out of the backfield.
I think there are ways the Broncos could have used him better last season.
My frustration was anytime he was in everyone knew, hey, it's a screen or it's a pass and
he's going to be blocking.
They're not going to hand him the football to me.
That was frustrating and it really handicapped, I think, the offense made it easier for the
defenses to scout saying, hey, when 2018, we know exactly what it is folks are just, we're
going to play zone.
We're going to drop to our spots and we know exactly what to expect and made it far
to one dimensional for numbers offense.
That can't be the case here going forward.
But what they said, Broncos, country on a wrap up today's episode of the show NFL free
agency is here.
The league on the go shading period is here today.
So anytime the Broncos has some big time news, they're signing a big time free agent this
week is NFL free and see frenzy begins, you know what you're going to get?
You're going to get bonus episodes locked on Broncos.
Sarah and I really parked at our desks for all the craziness that is NFL free agency.
So it's a big month here at the show.
Make sure you become an everyday or you get a free month when you use promo code free
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So locking Broncos country, we're going to have you covered all free agency long.
We'll see you then.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos
