Denver Broncos free agency 2017: Top 5 targets
By Brad Weiss
Martellus Bennett
TE, New England Patriots
The New England Patriots won the Super Bowl despite not having Rob Gronkowski, though they still got great production from the tight end position. That is because they signed Martellus Bennett for the 2016 season, though he could be a one-and-done for the Pats moving forward. Bennett is slated to hit the free agent market, and he is likely to get paid a lot more elsewhere than if he decides to go back to New England for another shot at a ring.
Whether Paxton Lynch or Trevor Siemian start next season, the fact is that they need a good pass-catching tight end. Bennett has been pretty productive during his time in the NFL, and would be a nice fit in the Denver offense. Bennett is an ultimate safety blanket for quarterbacks, and has the size and speed to really make things happen in open space.
Denver has two very good wide receivers in Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas, so finding a solid option in the passing game should be easy. However, Broncos quarterbacks do not get the kind of protection needed to make big plays downfield, which means a guy like Bennett could really flourish in their offense next season. The Broncos could go a number of different ways to upgrade the position, including drafting O.J. Howard from Alabama, but the safe money is them bringing in a veteran during free agency.