Denver Broncos free agency 2018: Top 5 targets

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 31: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kirk Cousins No. 8 of the Washington Redskins in action against the New York Giants on December 31, 2017 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 18-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 10: Tom Johnson /

4. Tom Johnson

On a loaded Vikings defense, the contributions of Johnson are easy to overlook. He has received his share of one on one matchups of late and isn’t the player Jackson was for Denver, but Johnson is a very solid football player. He has some versatility with his alignments on the line of scrimmage and pushes the pocket with some regularity from the inside without compromising the ability to stop the run.

A tough guy that made it the hard way, Johnson would be a positive influence to Denver’s young defensive linemen as well. Johnson is a little undersized and at 33-years-old certainly is not a long-term answer, but his role in Minnesota grew more by the year. Maybe scaling back his snaps would be wise, but Johnson can still be a disruptive penetrator.

Denver has long been built on defense, and Johnson could have bring that unit back to its best form. The Broncos have struggled up front with the injuries to Derek Wolfe and some misses in free agency. If Denver wants to add a player who would be light on the wallet but heavy in the trenches, Johnson is a great addition.

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