According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Broncos have interest in signing the former San Francisco 49er and now free agent edge rusher Ahmad Brooks.
This is unexpected: Free agent LB Ahmad Brooks has his first visit set and it's to the #Packers, source said. #Broncos also have interest
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2017
Rapoport states that the Broncos face some competition for Brooks’s services as he already has a visit lined up with the Green Bay Packers. With the Packers being his first visit, we can assume they are the current front-runners for him. If he leaves Green Bay without a contract, could Denver be the next team he visits?
He was released by the 49ers earlier this week because he was a poor scheme fit. They are moving to a 4-3 defense under Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and Brooks is a 3-4 edge rusher, so the move made sense for both sides.
Brooks is listed at 6’3”, 259lbs and he is entering his 12th season in the NFL. Last season for the 49ers, Brooks totaled 53 tackles, 6 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. During his career, he has totaled 290 tackles, 53.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 12 forced fumbles. He has had at least 5 sacks since 2009 and would add a nice stable presence to the Broncos banged up edge rushing unit.
As we know, the Broncos are currently without edge rushers Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray who both suffered injuries during the summer. Barrett was recently activated off the NFI list, but after missing all of the offseason training programs, he is no lock for week one. Shane Ray could be ready by week one but will be playing with a club for a few weeks regardless, so reinforcements are needed.
Backups Kasim Edebali and Vontarrius Dora have done alright this preseason, but if the reports about the Broncos having interest in Brooks are true, then they weren’t too pleased with their play. It also shows(once again, if these reports are accurate) that the Broncos will be in the market for edge rushing help in the coming days and weeks. Over 1,000 players will be cut by September 2nd so some help could be found there. Also, trades for multiple players on the roster bubble are likely being talked about right now, so we could see a move or two regardless.
The Broncos roster will be in flux here in the coming week and we may very well see some new faces like Ahmad Brooks on the roster by next week.