One of the biggest needs on defense for the Broncos is safety, and Holland could be a nice addition.
When you look at the Denver Broncos defense, two positions should get addressed.
As Broncos head coach Sean Payton told Kay Adams on Wednesday, time will tell whether they fall into the musts, needs, or wants category. I got the impression that Payton would classify middle linebacker and safety as “musts.” However, Christopher Hart, in his write-up of the interview, seemed to think they weren’t classified for any bucket.
Still, Denver should consider a safety when NFL free agency starts in March. One player they could consider is Jevon Holland.
Jevon Holland — Safety
Age: 24 | Experience: Fourth | Height: 6’1” | Weight: 210 pounds
Holland is one of the better safeties that will likely hit the open market come 2 p.m. MT on March 12.
Whether Payton, George Paton, and Denver bring target Holland will be intriguing.
Why the Broncos should sign Jevon Holland
Aside from Brandon Jones, who Denver signed last offseason, safety was a consistent issue for the defense. Whomever defensive coordinator Vance Joseph put next to Jones, they weren’t very good at anything. There were holes in coverage, the running game, and anything else they were asked to do.
In other words, the only consistent aspect of the Broncos safety play in 2024 was how inconsistent and not very good it was.
Enter Holland, who is entering the prime of his NFL career.
The four-year veteran from Oregon has spent his entire career with the Miami Dolphins. So there’s a connection to Jones, who he played with the first three years of his career before coming to Denver. That aspect could appeal to Holland.
Holland also has a great size for a safety at 6-1 and 210 pounds. As a comparison, Justin Simmons is 6-2 and 202. So Holland is in that same kind of frame.
By all accounts, Holland is a complete safety who can cover and play in the running game. He doesn’t get many interceptions, but Holland is a player Joseph could use in any defensive formation. And he would certainly improve the position’s ability to cover.
Last season, Holland finished with 62 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Why the Broncos won’t sign Jevon Holland
Since Holland is one of the better safeties in the league, he’ll have plenty of suitors who want to sign him. He’s already been linked to the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers. So Denver would have competition.
That scenario could raise Holland’s price. It looks like he’ll be in the $18 million per season range and a bidding war will up those demands. It’s unlikely Payton and the Broncos will go over $20 million, but who knows?
There’s also the slim chance that Holland stays in Miami. But with the cap hell the Dolphins are in, that’s not likely.
There’s also the potential that Holland isn’t a fit for Joseph and his defense, and Denver may look at other free agents. I doubt Holland wouldn’t be a fit, but we’re not privy to those discussions and what the Broncos are thinking about certain players.
Final thoughts
Since Denver’s defense is in need of an upgrade at safety, Holland could become a target this offseason.
He knows Jones and has a relationship with him from their time in Miami. Holland is also one of the better safeties in the league. If the Broncos go after Holland, they’ll have competition and that could up the salary.
Come March 12, it’ll be interesting to see if Holland is a player Denver targets in free agency.