PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Broncos know what they're getting in linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and tight end Evan Engram.
"They're all tone-setters," General Manager George Paton told DenverBroncos.com on Sunday at the NFL Annual Meeting.
The free-agent additions "fit the culture" the Broncos have worked to build, according to Paton, and the Broncos have a clear understanding of how they'll fit with their new team.
"I feel like we got better," Paton said Monday. "I feel like we got better on offense, defense and special teams. We brought in some really good players, good people and good leaders. Especially the first four that we brought in, [they are] all kind of captain material. We feel really good about the haul."
In Greenlaw and Hufanga, Head Coach Sean Payton sees a pair of players who identified themselves early as playmakers and bring a sense of physicality to Denver.
"I would say, man, there's some similar traits relative to [point] A, they've both made huge strides in their early years as defensive players," Payton told DenverBroncos.com on Sunday. "Immediately in our league, from afar, when you evaluate the film on both those guys, they were impactful right away with the 49ers' defense. We had a clear vision for both those players relative to our team. And so when that, when that kind of fits, it's one of the things that we look closely at relative to free agency — different than the draft: having a vision, understanding what the role will be immediately. And they're both physical players that enjoy playing."
Both players starred for a San Francisco defense that has earned a reputation as one of the league's best, and they'll join a Denver unit that ranked third in scoring defense and featured the league's most-productive pass rush in 2024.
On the offensive side of the ball, Payton believes Engram's ability to produce in the passing game will help Denver's offense. A two-time Pro Bowler, Engram recorded 114 receptions and nearly 1,000 yards in 2023. And despite playing nine games a year ago, he still posted 47 catches for 365 yards and a touchdown.
"Well, certainly, he's experienced," Payton said. "I remember him coming out [of college]. He's a guy that obviously can run. He's got a skill set that can help in the passing game — third down, red zone. And then it's up to us to utilize what he does well, just like we try to do with each of our offensive players. His experience — he's a savvy player, he understands how to get open in man and zone. Yeah, we're excited to be working with those guys."
The Broncos also retained a key starter in defensive tackle D.J. Jones, whom Paton credited with being a crucial piece of Denver's much-improved run defense.
"It all starts up front, and D.J. sets the tone up front, stopping the run, rushing the passer," Paton said. "He's just a big presence in our defense and the improved run defense we had this year."
With the addition of Greenlaw, Hufanga and Engram — plus a slew of other signings and re-signings — both Payton and Paton now believe the Broncos have the flexibility they need entering April's NFL Draft.
"That's what it's all about: being able to take the best players wherever we're picking," Paton said. "And now we feel like we can do that."
Payton said he believes the Broncos are "in a good position" entering the draft, but he noted there are still areas where the team can build.
"There will be some things that we want to accomplish by the third day," Payton said. "I think this draft will allow us to do that. A lot of that work really begins just leaving here. This whole month really will be spent in the evaluation process. It's already begun for so many of our scouts and coaches, and it will continue."
