Should the Denver Broncos go after a guy like Aaron Jones in free agency? Let’s take a look.
The Denver Broncos will go into free agency with serious needs at the running back position. Their offensive line finished 2024 with one of the best run blocking success rates in the NFL, yet their rushing attack was about as anemic as it could get finishing with the seventh-worst yards per carry in the NFL.
That means every free agent or NFL Draft eligible running back is going to be on our radar this offseason.
Aaron Jones — Running Back
Age: 30 | Experience: Ninth | Height: 5’9” | Weight: 208 pounds
Aaron Jones is coming off another excellent season despite being 30 years old with his fourth 1000+ yard season of his career. He is a career 5 yard per carry average running and is still dynamic out there when a member of a committee.
OverTheCap projects his salary to be in the $9 million a year range.
Why the Broncos should sign Aaron Jones
It’s important to keep in mind that the phrase ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ applies to NFL team rebuilds too. Getting a guy like Jones for a year would afford them some time to build through the draft.
The running back age wall is a thing for most players, but after piling up 1,138 yards on the ground for the Minnesota Vikings last season at the ripe old age of 30, Jones is proving he might have some durability beyond that typical age wall for backs.
Why the Broncos shouldn’t sign Aaron Jones
In my opinion, the projected cost ($9 mil/yr) is prohibitive in this case. While Jones is coming off an excellent season, he also had the lowest yards per carry of his career last season. Granted, it was still miles better than anything a Broncos back has been putting up in recent memory.
Because of the unpredictability of the NFL Draft, the Broncos also can’t afford to sign what will likely be a one year rental in free agency. They should target a back that they can count on being in their plans for at least the next couple of seasons.
Final thoughts
The idea of signing a guy like Aaron Jones would have been an exciting thought four years ago, but today it would feel like a one year rental at best. Add in his age and high projected cost, I’d rather the Broncos look elsewhere in free agency to fill their need at running back.
There will be youngest guys who maybe haven’t been as productive as Jones in his prime, but will likely fill the need just as well as Jones would in his early 30s.