Broncos projected to steal from main rival in free agency to upgrade secondary

The Denver Broncos had one of the best defenses in the league in 2025 and though Broncos Country overwhelmingly wants the team to address the offensive side of the ball this offseason, many of the early mock drafts have the team looking at a defensive player with their first-round pick. 

Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports has the team making a big defensive move in free agency as well, signing Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook. Pereles sees the Broncos as the best possible destiny for the four-year player. 

Cook goes from the Chiefs to one of their AFC West rivals in this projected move. Denver has two impending free agent safeties who have played significant snaps for them this season, and should they lose either one, Cook would fill in nicely", wrote Pereles. 

P.J. Locke is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent safety for the Broncos. The other safety that Pereles is likely referring to is Devon Key, though he is an exclusive rights free agent, meaning he isn't likely to leave the team. 

The Broncos have signed safeties in free agency in each of the last two offseasons, bringing in Brandon Jones in 2024 and Talanoa Hufanga last season. Though Jones finished this season on injured reserve, he and Hufanga will be the starting safeties going forward. 

Cook, a former second-round pick, has been a starter for the Chiefs and would be taking a step down coming to Denver. However, he would be seen by many as an upgrade over Locke if the Broncos could make a deal happen. 

The Broncos looked ready to move on from Locke last offseason when they signed Hufanga, but they kept him in the fold. That ended up being a good move as Jones went down late in the season and Locke had to finish it. 

MORE: Rising AFC team seen as best free agency fit for Broncos' star defensive lineman

The Broncos may opt to stick with Locke, who would be a cheaper option. Spotrac estimates an annual contract for Cook this year at $14.2 million, which seems way too high for a No. 3 safety. Pereles may see the Broncos as the best spot for him, but for that kind of money, he needs to be a starter. 

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