Ezra Shaw - Getty Images
over 1 year ago: OAKLAND CA - DECEMBER 19: Jason Hunter #52 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after he recovered a fumble during their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19 2010 in Oakland California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
We continue our look into Denver Broncos free agents with a look at Jason Hunter, a player brought in by Josh McDaniels to solidify the defensive line and linebacking corps. Hunter has been a pleasant surprise, and battled back this past season from a stabbing incident involving a girlfriend. Does Hunter figure into the future plans of the 2012 Denver Broncos??
Jason Hunter was an undrafted player picked up by the Green Bay Packers in 2006 and only saw special teams and limited backup work until he arrived in Detroit where took the place as a rotational defensive end, raking in a career best five sacks. After one season in Detroit he showed up in Denver where he played outside linebacker in the 3-4 system that was currently in place and took the starting job when Elvis Dumervil went down with injury, starting 12 games. He then made the shift to defensive end in 2011, playing in rotation with Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers. Hunter is 28 and has been getting more and more playing time since his time in Detroit and has grown as well in Denver.
After doing a good job filling in for an injured Elvis Dumervil, Jason played well in the rotation, spending time nearly equally between the right and left side. While he wasn't a starter he was on the field for nearly 33% of all defensive snaps. While he isn't the pure pass rusher Dumervil is, and he isn't the containment giant Robert Ayers is, he balances the two well, spending snaps both rushing the passer as well as against the run. Surprisingly adapt in coverage in his limited time. In addition to his stats listed above he 1 quarterback hit along with 9 hurries. He also had an impressive just 1 missed tackle the whole season on 414 snaps.
In 2011 Hunter earned $715,000 and as a rotational defensive end who has starting experience he would be looking for a contract that earned him around $1,215,000 a year. Looking at the Broncos cap room, despite seeming large, it wouldn't be a huge hit to the cap.
When looking at where to go looking forward we need to review Hunter as well as options for replacements:
Pro's:
- Is able to play both the right and left side as well as play the run and pass.
- Is a smart player, able to rapidly read a situation and move to the play.
- Has quick reaction against the screen game and play action.
- While some DE's play to out-muscle lineman, Hunter prefers to avoid blockers with his agility rather than overpower offensive lineman.
Con's:
- Lacks elite burst and speed.
- Has a large frame but doesn't have a strong lower body and struggles to beat stronger blockers.
- While he has seen success at defensive end, is a better fit as an 3-4 outside linebacker.
- Doesn't have the upper tier talent, strength or speed.
Depth at Defensive End:
Outside of Ayers and Dumervil, there is a massive drop off in talent with the loss of Hunter. While the Broncos have a number of practice squad player, they don't have a solid rotational defensive end.
Free Agency Defensive End Class:
This is an incredibly deep defensive end class, with a number of young players like Hunter looking to make starter in the free agent market. There are a number of players who would be an upgrade over Hunter, but since we are looking for players who would be replacements rather than downgrades or massive upgrades, we are going to limit the list, here's a few, along with some notes:
- Calias Campbell (Similar to Abraham, wouldn't mind leaving Arizona, but would want starter money)
- Antwan Applewhite (Has ties to Fox and is used to being in a rotation)
- Israel Idonije (Wanted to leave Chicago but since they've hired a new GM he seems to have changed his mind, also would want to make upper starter money)
- Raheem Brock (Would want to remain a starter and would want to make enough money to make he leave Seattle)
- Tony Hargrove (A rotational player from Seattle)
Guys like Mathis, Avril, Abraham, Anderson and Carter either have close ties to their current team or would require a top 5 salary.
Conclusion:
This really depends on what the Broncos want to do, do they want to stick with the combo or Ayers-Dumervil as starters and just re-sign Hunter and/or sign a rotational DE or do they want to go down another path and sign a high priced free agent and replace Ayers. If I'm the Broncos front office I believe Ayers is on a good development path and is a top ranked run stopper and solid as a pass rusher. That means we will stick with picking up a rotational guy. Hunter fits the bill, comes at a reasonable price, and is reliable taking a large number of snaps during the season. I would advise either drafting a mid round DE or picking up Applewhite or Hargrove to add to the rotation because after Hunter there is almost no potential.
1 recs | 40 comments
he would be good to resign. we need to build on our quality depth not to try and rebuild it
David Swanson - February 10, 2012 via mobile
Agreed, when it comes to the front seven
They are the part of the team playing the best of any squad, I’d prefer to keep what is working together.
Topher Doll - February 10, 2012
looking at his Pro's and Con's it seems we could use him as a drop back DE.
He could rush sometimes, but he could also drop into coverage as an option. The fact that he can play both ends gives him versatility. We need a back up that can fill in for BOTH ends.
alkatraz76 - February 10, 2012
He does have the ability to play in coverage
That was actually the biggest surprise when I was watching him play for this article. He is a versatile, balanced DE who can do it all well, but doesn’t really play any one great, which is fine as a rotational guy.
Topher Doll - February 10, 2012
Excelent rotational pass rusher...
For the correct price, resign for sure!
Fabio Broncos - February 10, 2012
Exactly, if we can reach a contract just over a million
We would be in good condition.
Topher Doll - February 10, 2012
He made 715K last year
While Ayers, the starter, made 880K (and will make 965K in 2012), so it’s very likely for us to pay Hunter even less than a million. For me it’s a great condition too as depth.
Fabio Broncos - February 10, 2012
The problem with that is
Ayers is still on his rookie contract, if he were a FA this year he’d be asking for over $1,750,000 a season, but we get lucky since he’s still on his rookie contract. So while Ayers is the starter, if they were both FA’s Ayers would get the bigger contract but since Hunter is the FA he will look for a pay raise.
Topher Doll - February 10, 2012
It makes sense
But if he want some pay raise up to 900K / 1Mil, that sounds great for me either…
Fabio Broncos - February 11, 2012
A marginal rotational player, nothing excellent
But I agree, we may keep him if price is right
si_ice - February 10, 2012
I like you Jason Hunter
you’ve got a good motor, I’d like to see him stick around. As always, we shall see
the new Bradfather - February 10, 2012
I think the best approach with our Dline
Is to try to re-sign the guys we have and add some youth at both DT and DE through the draft. The Broncos have a solid foundation in place that could become a strength if handled properly.
CH74 - February 10, 2012
I agree, if we can keep the key players
And slow introduce younger players through this draft, I think that is the best path to take.
Topher Doll - February 10, 2012
i don't know...
i think a lot of times we all start to ‘hometown’ things. hunter’s a good backup and all, but at a certain point the whole entire thing’s not where we want it to be. hunter’s not a key to the defense at all, and the broncos need to eye better starters and better backups. hunter’s okay. just like mcbean’s okay, thomas is okay, etc etc. but if we’re to improve, the starters need to leave the backups in the dust and the backups need to be guys who could start somewhere else. hunter? eh, maybe. but that might be the point. i’m not opposed to losing any of our backups who’ve got three or more years experience.
oxmouth - February 10, 2012
I don't mind losing Hunter
But currently we have no one behind him that is even close in talent, to lose him means we have to draft a DE early or pay a high priced FA.
Topher Doll - February 10, 2012
i hear ya. but i disagree on the high priced/talent part. i think that at this point in hunter’s career, the broncs should be starting to ask if there’s not cheaper, younger guys out there who provide something similar but with more potential. all that said, i won’t start a petition if we re-sign the man—he’s pretty good.
oxmouth - February 10, 2012
There are at least 4 and maybe 5 DEs with first rd classification and EFX may pick any of them that fall to us at #25.
When talking about defenses, pass rush is at the top of the list or conversation of their success. What we have and what EFX know is Elvis Dumervil is a 5 star veteran at or near the top of the DE class, where on the other hand Robert Ayers is probably a 2 – 2 1/2 star talent just because of his pass rushing deficiency. If Fox wants to move Ayers to UT and DE on run downs and use Von Miller as DE on passing downs that’s alright by me, but I just don’t think that is what Fox wants to do ideally.
Quintin Coples will most likely be drafted first of the DE class, with Courtney Upshaw following close behind. The third DE could be either Melvin Ingram or Whitney Mercilus, whatever a team feels. But they will like fall 3 and 4 respectively. That would leave Andre Branch bringing up the rear rd. With 24 teams in front of us with all having different needs and some having the same need, then it is possible one of those guys falls to 25.
bfree2bronc - February 10, 2012
Exactly
And althought we had a crappy year in 2010 with an awful pass rushing, he carried us on his back. Without Hunter we would had been even worst than 4-12 imo, and have worse numbers of sacks, hurries, hits and etc.
Fabio Broncos - February 10, 2012
Then there is the "Grass is greener" tendency that runs rampant as well
The fantasy guys and Madden guys that want to plug in the best player they can find at every position. The real NFL doesn’t work that way. A good portion of Broncos Country should know full well the Shanny “One player away” mantra started the hole that this team ended up in. You need a healthy balance of role players and stars to make a good team. On paper, the Eagles were probably the most talented team in the league. Where did they end up with all that talent? What is wrong with bringing in youth and let them battle their way up the depth chart? That is how consistent winners are built.
CH74 - February 10, 2012
Agreed, CH.
Fabio Broncos - February 10, 2012
Hunter should be brought back at the very least to compete in camp. But with Jeremy Beal, Ben Garland, and possible free agents and draft picks coming in could make him less necessary to retain. At the very least I prefer Hunter to Harvey.
AvalancheRescueDog - February 10, 2012
Hunter is just a rotational player, but Beal and Garland showed nothing at all
Beal can’t get on the roster. I expect this 7th rounder to continue to sit on PS. Garland is a feel good story, but he never showed he belongs on the field.
si_ice - February 10, 2012
That's my thoughts as well
I liked Beal in college, but he has struggled in his NFL transition, though I do hope he steps up. But after Hunter there are no players who really have any NFL experience.
Topher Doll - February 10, 2012
Ah, I'd forgotten about Garland,
is his Air Force commitment finished? It would be nice to see what he’s got….
rubincarterrocks - February 11, 2012
I would re-sign him for the minimum nothing else.
If he doesn’t like that then he can ride on out of Denver, it’s not like he’s not replacable or anything. We have Jeremy Beal who has talent in his own right, he just hasn’t been afforded much opportunity to show it. Not sure how he will turn out until he does or doesn’t. We have Derrick Harvey the former #8 pick who has talent and athleticism, but hasn’t been able to translate it to the NFL. I think we will draft a DE this year and maybe try to sign a 2 star talent from the free agent list. The fact the EFX couldn’t address every position last year and now they have film to evaluate every player and see how they want to move forward making the team better..
bfree2bronc - February 10, 2012
I mentioned his salary above to Topher.
I’m with you, for that money we should resign him for sure…
Fabio Broncos - February 10, 2012
Jason Hunter wants to come back to Denver and has said that money will not be an issue.
If he is not back in Denver, it is 100% on EFX’s shoulders.
Nick Cast - February 10, 2012
and that’s okay.
oxmouth - February 10, 2012
What is okay?
I think it would be absolutely stupid to let Jason Hunter go when he wants to come back and money is not going to be a problem.
That guy is a borderline starter. He is fantastic depth.
He is a guy we need to resign. Without him, our DE depth is awful.
Nick Cast - February 10, 2012
it’s okay if he’s not here next year and you hold EFX accountable. he’s good depth but he’s not indispensable. if they go different direction it’s not the end of the world. i’d say sign him up—he’s a solid backup. i didn’t say our DE depth is top notch. we need to upgrade there as we do most other places and if hunter’s the best we can do for the money at that spot, fine.
oxmouth - February 10, 2012
I just think in Hunter’s situation, failing to resign him would be incredibly foolish. We are going to have to get DE depth anyway so why not just resign the guy who wants to be here?
Like I said, it’s not like he isn’t talented.
Nick Cast - February 10, 2012
It's not like he is talented either.
He’s a backup. All of our FAs are replaceable if they don’t want to play for what we want to pay them. Sounds like Hunter does so sign him up.
Digger24 - February 10, 2012
He is a backup for us
but he could easily start on another team. The guy has got plenty of talent and I’m not talking about “Lance Ball” type of talent. I’m talking the kind of talent that we could really use for our depth.
Nick Cast - February 10, 2012
Hey you had me at
Digger24 - February 10, 2012
Hunter a borderline starter?
We have Doom and Ayers starting at DE. Hunter is not in Doom’s league and he is surely not as good as Ayers.
si_ice - February 10, 2012
Just because he is not as talented as out starters doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a starter on another team. The guy is talented. He would be an average starter on another team which makes him a fantastic depth guy.
Nick Cast - February 10, 2012
Ayers
Ayers also can’t reach the QB as fast as Von or Doom. But he still has some pass rushing skills. The same for Hunter, who I think is an excelent rotational pass rusher.
As I mentioned above, he carried us on his back in 2010 and our record would had been worse than 4-12 without him that year.
Fabio Broncos - February 10, 2012
That's the point of having a rotational guy
No high talent guy wants to be a backup and to expect that we can find a top tier player willing to play in rotation is a bit off.
Topher Doll - February 10, 2012
Depth is the point
Seems to me that Hunter has done more than an adaquate job of playing DE- The objective here is to find most glaring holes and fill them.If the DT’S and MLB are in place already-Then DB’S are the ticket-In other words he’s fine for now.
Timothy P Newland - February 11, 2012
My thoughts exactly.
Topher Doll - February 11, 2012
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