Broncos About To Enter Free Agency Frenzy

Since the lockout was officially lifted on Tuesday, NFL teams have only been permitted to sign rookies. Starting tonight at 6pm (ET), teams can begin signing free agents.

The Broncos only have five restricted free agents (the fewest among any team in the NFL), and may only try to re-sign two of them. Running backs Kyle Eckeand and Laurence Maroney, defensive tackles Ronald Fields and Marcus Thomas and offensive lineman Ryan Harris will be free to sign with any team this evening, including Denver.

The Broncos will offer deals to Thomas and Harris (and possibly Fields) but if the players receive a better offer from another team, there's nothing stopping them from accepting it.

Denver will also pursue running back Willis McGahee (formerly a Raven) and defensive tackles Derek Landri (Carolina) and Daniel Muir (Indianapolis's). Another defensive tackle, Seattle's Brandon Mebane, has been a hot topic.

The Broncos are in serious need of another defensive tackle and Mebane is a big name player that would be a great addition to Denver's defense. However, he is likely to re-sign with the Seahawks because his price tag is too much for Denver, reports Arnie Stapleton of the Associated Press.

Another heavily desired free agent among Bronco fans was running back DeAngelo Williams, who re-signed with Carolina earlier this week. Mile High Faithful will be discouraged if the team does not land Mebane after already losing in the Williams sweepstakes. Adding insult to injury, quarterback Kyle Orton, the man Broncomaniacs tried to run out of town, may be returning.

Broncos fans need to remember though that Denver is going through a rebuilding process and it will take more than one offseason to get where the Broncos would like to be. There is no quick fix, the team probably won't sign a big name defensive tackle this year and quarterback Tim Tebow may not start and lead the team to the Super Bowl.

Rather, the team will add depth to the defensive line through free agency. Denver may also decide to retain Orton and give Tebow a little more time to learn under the veteran. It's about winning games and if the Broncos brass thinks Orton gives the team the best chance to win, he'll start.

Stay tuned, there's still a possibility of Orton being traded and Denver will be signing several free agents this evening. For up-to-the-minute updates, 'Like' Broncos Zone on Facebook!