The Broncos never would be able to trade for the Cowboys’ George Pickens, but it couldn’t ever be suspected they would end up with only “Blazing Saddles” Slim Pickens.

Of all the 32 franchises in the mighty National Football League, the Broncos are the ONLY ONE that had not signed a free agent from outside the organization through Saturday. Leftovers, garage sale items, blue light specials and bargain basement types remain.

The Broncos’ three adversaries (for 66 seasons) in the AFC West have agreed to contracts with 16 new veteran players.

The Broncos’ strategy seems so strange because GM George Paton finally had gotten the Russell Wilson cataclysm off his back, and he recently promised that the team with the richest owners in professional football would be more aggressive in the free agency powerball stakes.

Instead, nil, nada, naught, null and void.

The Broncos’ faithful fandom was shocked into numbness.

It wasn’t so surprising that the Broncos didn’t strike on the first day of “legal tampering” or two days following on the official signing Wednesday. Then the assumption was that the Broncos would dive deep into the second wave of running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, inside linebackers and safeties.

Sure, the triumvirate of Paton, Sean Payton and principal owner Greg Penner must have plotted a plan that would bring to Denver one of three running backs – Kenneth Walker III, Breece Hall or Travis Etienne.

Nope.

How about one of these wide receivers – Alec Pierce, Romeo Doubs or Rashid Shaheed?

Nah.

Any productive tight end?

Negative.

What’s up with an inside linebacker?

Not only did they not sign a free agent, but they released Dre Greenlaw, whom the Broncos promoted as the second coming of Randy Gradishar a year ago at this time.

Meanwhile, the nemesis Chiefs signed Walker as their No. 1 running back and lured two more starters. The Raiders, who hired Kolorado Kid Klint Kubiak as their latest head coach, spent tons of millions for seven free agents, and they even got supermax Maxx Crosby back when the Ravens called off a trade. And the Chargers grabbed six fresh veterans.

The Chiefs received an A grade for their additions, and the Raiders were listed at A-minus while six other Broncos opponents were judged top drawer.

The Broncos were granted a C grade with the notation about key new players:

“None.”

Nevertheless, if you liked the Broncos roster last season when the team should have gone to the Super Bowl if Bo Nix hadn’t been hurt and Payton didn’t hurt the offense with bad calls, you’ll love this team.

The Broncos have re-signed 16 of their very own.

More than 50 players who participated in 2025 games are on the current roster. Welcome back. Can you turn up the volume?

Paton, Payton and Penner didn’t formulate a scheme to sign a great new running back, but they got back their old running back – J.K. Dobbins. Before his injury, the Dobster was among the premier backs in 2025. He is perturbed that everybody knows he has a history of injuries, but he and the Broncos are happy he’s returning. So are RJ Harvey, Tyler Badie, Jaleel McLaughlin and someone from parts unknown.

Starting inside linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad re-upped, and tight ends Adam Trautman, Frank Krum and Nate Adkins will have another chance to stick alongside Evan Engram. The roster has orange and blue bloods, but no new bloods at this point.

The Broncos apparently are content to dance with who brung them last season, and shop at Walmart for a few others.

The puzzling previous policies were a Broncos bust, but could produce a couple of intriguing signings. Sean remains in search of a “Joker” since Engram didn’t qualify last season.

Deebo Samuel is available. He certainly was a “Joker’’ with the 49ers for years as a receiver, running back and returner. The leading pass catcher of the Commanders last season would be an expensive pickup — $14 million for a year. Cam Jordan would love to finish his career for Payton.

Tight end David Njoku could be a “joku.”

Those three would save the signing span for the Broncos. 

The pickings are slimmer, but the Broncos’ brain trust must act now.