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Broncos Free Agency 2012: Decision Time On DT Brodrick Bunkley, An Unrestricted Free Agent

Denver Broncos defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley is now an unrestricted free agent, but it remains unclear whether his time with Denver has come to an end or not. After being traded to the Broncos last summer in exchange for a 2012 fifth-round pick, the disappointing former first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles (No. 14 overall in 2006) is hitting the open market for the first time.

He battled a ligament and nerve injury in his left elbow and recorded 47 tackles (solo and assisted), one forced fumble and zero sacks in 16 games with the Broncos in 2011, but Bunkley is a tough decision for the team. As Bunkley said of his time with Eagles, where he underwhelmed and failed to live up to draft-day expectations (via the Denver Post), "I think they were done with me."

Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil thought Bunkley did a great job in the middle for the team saying (via the Denver Post): "We haven't had a guy like that, not since I've been here. He's been like a monster in there." Bunkley is one of 17 unrestricted free agents for the Denver, and the list also included DT Marcus Thomas, while fellow DT Ryan McBean is a restricted free agent. In other words, the team has many decisions to make on the future of the interior for their defensive line in the coming weeks.

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