2016 NFL free agency: 5 teams who should sign Malik Jackson

Standout Denver Broncos defensive lineman Malik Jackson will likely test the open market, where he will command a huge contract.

With a dominating 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos completed one of the most impressive runs by a defensive unit in NFL history. National stars like Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware helped the Broncos shut down the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and Cam Newton in an incredible team postseason performance.

However, the 2015 Broncos defense had a number of other players who don’t have quite the same name recognition, but were still very important parts of the unit. One such player is free agent defensive lineman Malik Jackson, who racked up 34 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season.

Now the Broncos face the challenge of trying to keep that defense together. Miller, Jackson, Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall are among the team’s free agents on the defensive side, giving Denver some difficult decisions to make this offseason.

The Broncos are not projected to have much cap space with $8 million free at the moment, although more could be on the way if Peyton Manning retires and Ware’s contract is restructured. A chunk of that will go to Miller, who isn’t going anywhere, plus potentially some more to Brock Osweiler or whatever free agent quarterback Denver brings in.

Keeping all four of those defensive starters is unlikely. The Broncos have been negotiating with Jackson since the Super Bowl, but he may have priced himself out of Denver.

Jackson has the versatility to line up inside or on the edge, just turned 26 years old, and is coming off of a huge playoff performance. All of that will equal a contract that could push $50 million total in free agency.

Due to that versatility, Jackson could fit well on a number of teams, and a few have the cap resources to sign him.

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