Fourth in a series looking at players who could be targeted by the Broncos in free agency when the negotiating period begins Monday:
Adrian Amos
Age: Turns 26 on April 29
Position: Safety.
Current team: Chicago Bears.
Experience: Four years (fifth-round pick in 2015 from Penn State). In 60 games (56 starts), Amos has 269 tackles and three interceptions, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries apiece. Amos has only three enforced penalties in his regular-season career.
Case for: Amos would be an easy fit because new Broncos coach Vic Fangio was his play-caller in Chicago for four years. Amos would replace the released Darian Stewart and pair with Justin Simmons, able to play in the box, and cover tight ends who line up in the slot and running backs in the flat.
Case against: None in terms of Amos, but the Broncos may choose to allocate free-agent money to finding a cornerback and/or an offensive lineman. Plus, Fangio has downplayed the importance of adding players familiar to his philosophy so don’t expect the Broncos to pursue former Bears if the price is too high.
Tape analysis (Philadelphia at Chicago, 2018 wild-card game): Amos played all 68 snaps and was credited with six tackles, one interception, one other pass break-up and one penalty in a 16-15 loss. … Per the Denver Postap game charting, Amos had nine “factor” plays (involved in the tackle or coverage). … He wasn’t involved early, playing Cover 2 downfield and tracking the Eagles’ tight ends on seam routes. … On his interception, he showed great range. Playing the deep middle, he ran to his left and high-pointed the football, which was underthrown by Eagles quarterback Nick Foles because he was hit. … For his other pass break-up, Amos darted forward to meet Eagles receiver Golden Tate (shallow cross) just as the pass arrived. … Amos was not involved in the run game as a box safety; his only tackles came downfield. … His unnecessary roughness penalty was for a hit on receiver Alshon Jeffery and converted a third-and-6 for the Eagles. … Amos gave up a 10-yard touchdown in coverage. He was playing inside leverage on tight end Dallas Goedert. But Goedert turned inside (slant route) and Amos was unable to change directions quickly enough. … On the Eagles’ winning drive, Foles converted a third-and-9 (11 yards to Jeffery). Amos appeared to bite on another route, leaving Jeffery open on a shallow cross.
Final take: Itap easy to see why Amos is attractive to teams in a loaded safety market. He can be interchangeable (box and deep safety) and looks comfortable as a tackler and covering tight ends and running backs.
