Broncos to sign DL Zach Allen to three-year deal

Allen is set to join the Broncos on a contract worth $45.75M and $32.5M fully guaranteed, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. 

Three of PFR’s top 20 free agents are now pledged to the Broncos, who are signing Allen, Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers to headline a day dedicated to Denver fortifying its fronts. 

The Allen addition should bring a seamless transition for the former Cardinals draftee. The Cards drafted Allen in the 2019 third round, months after they hired Joseph as DC, and he became a key contributor — particularly during a contract year alongside J.J. Watt.

Allen, 25, led all defensive linemen with eight pass deflections last season, teaming with Watt to form a strong interior D-line duo for a last-place team. 

The Boston College product will undoubtedly step into the same position in Joseph’s 3-4 scheme in Denver. Allen finished with 5.5 sacks and 20 QB hits last season. He recovered three fumbles and intercepted a pass in 2021, coming along after taking a bit to break into Arizona’s lineup on a full-time basis.

Shortly after dealing Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins, the Broncos indicated Jones was a priority to re-sign. The team negotiated with Jones up to the franchise tag deadline, but the former third-round pick understandably did not want to re-sign before testing the market. 

The three-year Denver starter is one of the top players left on the board, and although he said before free agency he wanted to stay in Denver, it looks like the sides will split up after four years. Allen can safely be labeled Denver’s Jones replacement.

The Jones-for-Allen swap will still leave the Broncos with standout D-tackle D.J. Jones returning, and Denver also brought back linebacker Alex Singleton on Monday. 

The team released Graham Glasgow, Ronald Darby and Chase Edmonds to clear out the cap space necessary to enable this Monday spending spree.