The Denver Broncos dropped a hard-fought game on the road to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4, bringing an end to their two-game winning streak. But in the defeat, the Broncos saw some key players go down with injuries.
The game changed as soon as the Broncos lost both of their starting cornerbacks, Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss, to injury. This allowed the 49ers to move the ball much more easily than they did when they were out there.
Luckily for the Broncos, it appears that, long-term, severe injuries were avoided by both players, but each could miss some time.
Surtain went down with a non-contact injury, a concerning sight for Broncos Country. He had to be helped off the field but should only miss a couple of games or so. As for Moss, he left
the game with a rib injury and was unable to return. It's not a long-term injury for him either, but he could miss some time.
Those injuries forced the Broncos to turn to Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine for the remainder of the game. Ja'Quan McMillian is the only other healthy corner on the 53-man roster. This could be an issue the Broncos need to address by at least placing a band-aid on the situation.
They do have two cornerbacks on the practice squad: Brent Austin and Sean Fresch. Austin is an undrafted player out of California and Fresch is more of a special teams guy whom the Broncos signed after the conclusion of the UFL spring season.
Broncos should consider these free-agent cornerbacks
1. Marshon Lattimore
We'll start with a player that coach Sean Payton is quite familiar with, as his New Orleans Saints used a first-round pick on Marshon Lattimore in 2017. He spent eight seasons with the Saints before being traded to the Washington Commanders in 2024.
Lattimore is a four-time Pro Bowler who can be a physical tackler as well as a sticky coverage guy. His experience would easily help the Broncos bridge the gap until the team's two starters are back and healthy.
2. Tre'Davious White
Another player selected in the first round in 2017, Tre'Davious White has played for three teams while also having two stints with the team that drafted him, the Buffalo Bills. In fact, he was the player called for defensive pass interference against Marvin Mims Jr. in last year's divisional playoff game that led to the Broncos' game-winning field goal.
Available as a free agent, the 31-year-old White has 19 career interceptions.
3. Adoree Jackson
Yes, another first-round pick in 2017. That draft was loaded at the cornerback position.
Adoree Jackson was so good in college at USC that there were some who thought he deserved to be in the Heisman Trophy talk at one point... as a defensive player. He was selected in the first round by the Tennessee Titans and has also played for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.
Jackson recently turned 31 years old, but he is likely in playing shape and ready for an opportunity. He could give the Broncos a veteran, emergency option for a couple of weeks, at the least.
4. Michael Davis
While the three players mentioned ahead of Michael Davis were first-round selections in 2017, he came to the league as an undrafted free agent out of BYU. He then proceeded to have a huge preseason with the Los Angeles Chargers, which led to a spot on their 53-man roster and that turned into a seven-year stay.
Davis has also played for the Commanders and, most recently, the New Orleans Saints. He was in the Saints' camp this summer but failed to make the team. However, he has played recently and would be ready to go.
Davis is a taller corner at 6-2 and can be a physical football player. He would be a solid addition for the Broncos given their current situation.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 4 free agent cornerbacks Broncos could consider after 2 injuries at position
