Finger pushing
weather icon 61°F


Broncos officially sign marquee free agents Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, Evan Engram

A big week in free agency for the Broncos led to a bunch of smiles Thursday.

Denver officially announced the signings at Broncos Park of five free agents, including marquee additions Dre Greenlaw at linebacker, Talanoa Hufanga at safety and Evan Engram at tight end.

Greenlaw and Hufanga agreed to deals Monday and Engram did Wednesday. All are in line to be starters.

Denver also signed wide receiver Trent Sherfield, who agreed to a contract Tuesday, and they re-signed linebacker Justin Strnad, who agreed to return Wednesday.

The NFL free-agent negotiating period began Monday and teams could begin signing outside free agents at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The signees were all in Denver on Thursday and passed physicals.

The Broncos on social media put up photos of the players signing their deals while flashing big smiles. The players were not made available Thursday to the media.

“Blessed to be a Bronco!” Engram wrote on social media. “Now let’s make a run.”

The photos of the four outside free agents showed Greenlaw wearing No. 57, which he donned the past six seasons with San Francisco, Hufanga No. 9, Engram No. 1 and Sherfield No. 5.

Hufanga wore No. 29 the past four years for the 49ers, but cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian currently has that number for Denver. Engram wore No. 17 the past three seasons for Jacksonville, but wide receiver Devaughn Vele currently has that number for the Broncos. Sherfield wore No. 11 last season for Minnesota, and that number was available due to receiver Josh Reynolds having been waived last December.

Numbers for the players are not locked in and could end up changing prior to the season.

Greenlaw agreed to a three-year, $35 million contract, Hufanga a three-year, $45 million deal, Engram a two-year, $23 million contract and Sherfield to a two-year, $6 million deal. Strnad re-signed on a one-year, $2.7 million contract.

Tight end Evan Engram had his two most productive NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 and '23. (The Associated Press)
Tight end Evan Engram had his two most productive NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 and ’23. (The Associated Press)

Free agency isn’t done for the Broncos. They have four of their own remaining free agents in wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, fullback Michael Burton, tackle Quinn Bailey and linebacker Zach Cunningham. Jimmy Gould, the agent for Humphrey, told The Denver Gazette last week he was “more than optimistic” about his client being re-signed.

Denver is believed to still be looking at outside receivers in free agency. A top possible target is Cooper Kupp, 31, the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year who has battled injuries in recent years and was released by the Los Angeles Rams for financial reasons.

The Broncos still need a running back, one in line to perhaps replace starter Javonte Williams, who departed to sign with Dallas. However, they might wait to address that in the April 24-26 draft, considered very deep at running back.

The Broncos need a punter after Riley Dixon departed to join Tampa Bay. However, they don’t seem to be in a hurry to fill that spot.

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)
Tags


Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests