The Broncos continue to be one of the NFL’s most active teams in the offseason, and there appears to be much more to come.
Denver finally traded the rights to quarterback Jake Plummer, even though he remains retired, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a conditional 2008 draft pick and also Saturday acquired defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson from the Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round pick in the April 28-29 draft.
Wilkinson, who weighs 340 pounds, is a former Ohio State star. The Cincinnati Bengals made him the No. 1 pick of the 1994 draft.
Denver made its first signing of the free-agent period, with New Orleans’ Montrae Holland accepting a one-year deal worth $1 million. Holland will compete with Chris Kuper, a rookie in 2006, at right guard.
“This is a wonderful situation for me,” Holland said. “I think I fit the Denver system and I look forward to getting a chance to compete.”
Here is what’s to come: a visit today with Travis Henry, who has emerged as one of the Broncos’ top choices at running back.
Meanwhile, the Broncos will continue to negotiate with defensive end Patrick Kerney and tight end Daniel Graham. Both departed Dove Valley on Saturday without contracts. Seattle, which has a lot of salary-cap room, appears to be the Broncos’ top competition for both.
“Daniel really enjoyed his visit,” Tom Mills, Graham’s Boulder-based agent, said of the former Colorado star. “But he is going to go through the process and see what is out there. But he is from Denver and is intrigued by the idea of playing here.”
Graham went to Oakland on Saturday night and is set to go to Seattle today. His agents talked to the Broncos on Saturday and likely will talk again Monday. Graham could have a new team by Monday night. The Broncos’ backup free-agency plan at tight end, Kyle Brady, signed with New England on Saturday.
Kerney indicated that he planned to fly to Seattle on Saturday night regardless of how his visit with the Broncos went. Kerney, the top defensive lineman left on the market, may get a bigger deal with Seattle. Kerney, though, is close to new Denver defensive line coach Bill Johnson, who coached Kerney in Atlanta.
While Kerney and Graham clearly are focal points, so is finding a running back, now that Tatum Bell has been traded to Detroit. Henry was cut by the Tennessee Titans on Saturday after he didn’t restructure his contract. His agent, Hadley Engelhard, said he expects to talk to the Broncos more today about striking a deal.
But Henry is still talking to the Titans and has attracted interest from Oakland, Green Bay and Houston.
Henry, who rushed for 1,211 yards last season, would be a good fit in Denver’s system. But he is in the league’s drug program and is at risk for a one-year suspension if he were to test positive.
Denver visited with Green Bay’s Ahman Green on Friday and will continue to talk to him along with Henry. The Broncos have talked about a trade with Buffalo for Willis McGahee and could look at other running backs, including Chicago’s Thomas Jones, through a trade. Free agent Jamal Lewis doesn’t have a visit set up with Denver, which has had talks with Dominic Rhodes of Indianapolis.
The Broncos may have to restructure some of their contracts to get a high- profile player signed. Denver players who could restructure deals to help include wide receiver Rod Smith, linebacker Al Wilson (several teams have asked about him in trades) and defensive ends Courtney Brown, Ebenezer Ekuban and Kenard Lang. Some of those players could be candidates for release if Denver needs to make more salary cap room.
Meanwhile, it appears Brad Johnson has emerged as Denver’s top choice as the backup for quarterback Jay Cutler. Johnson, 38, is set to visit Denver, his agent, Phil Williams, said Saturday. Johnson was cut by Minnesota this past week. He has played 13 NFL seasons.
Denver had some interest in Philadelphia free agent Jeff Garcia, who signed with Tampa Bay on Saturday. Denver is set to visit with Cincinnati backup Anthony Wright on Monday.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
