Broncos sign DL Clinton McDonald to a two-year deal

The Denver Broncos have signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Clinton McDonald to a two-year deal worth $7 million.

McDonald, a former seventh-round pick in 2010 by the Cincinnati Bengals, is entering his ninth season in the NFL. The 31-year old was fairly consistent in the league up until 2016 when his run stopping production seemed to fall off a cliff.

According to Pro Football Focus, McDonald scored an overall grade of 48.9, but was stout in rushing the passer with a 74.7 overall grade. Before 2016, however, McDonald only finished under a 71.0 PFF grade once and that was during his rookie season. If he can find a way to fit into the Broncos scheme and improve his run stopping abilities, he could find a role in the rotation.

McDonald has finished with five or more sacks in three of the last five seasons, so his value to the Broncos is clearly with generating an interior pass rush on opposing quarterbacks. This has been an ongoing problem for the Broncos since Malik Jackson’s departure in 2016.

Broncos looking to add Special Teams players

The Broncos on Wednesday, are also expected to sign kicker Taylor Bertolet most recently of the Los Angeles Rams and long snapper Christian Kuntz. They will likely compete in training camp with the veterans on the roster.