Seven Denver Broncos veterans most vulnerable to breakage in 2021

[ad_1]

The Denver Broncos are expected to have a cap of $ 14 million for 2021, which means the team is not in a bad position, but could use more space to keep free agents or in add others.

I’ve talked about the Broncos’ options with Von Miller, but he’s not the only veteran whose team might be ready to quit.

New chief executive George Paton will have decisions to make regarding a number of veterans on contract for 2021, many of whom are aging or have seen their game decline in 2020.

As I continue my overview of the Broncos’ offseason and decisions before Paton, I want to look at the veterans, other than Miller, who are under contract for 2021, their respective caps, the cap space saved by cutting them or swapping them, and the likelihood of returning or not in 2021. We start with the three most vulnerable.

AJ Bouye, CB

Cap hit of 2021: $ 13.375 M

Savings if cut or traded: $ 13.375 million, no dead money

Probability that it remains: Between health problems, bad play and suspension, I’m not betting on Bouye’s maintenance. The cornerbacks that might be available in free agency are a solid group and the Broncos should be able to find better value there.

What happens next for the Broncos in free agency and draft? Don’t miss any news and analysis! Take a second and Sign up for our free newsletter and get the latest Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Kareem Jackson, S

Cap hit of 2021: $ 12.8 million

Savings if cut or traded: $ 10 million, $ 2.8 million dead money

Probability that it remains: Jackson wasn’t as good in 2020 as he was in 2019, but his situation could go either way. Because compatriot Justin Simmons is a candidate for overtime, the Broncos are unlikely to sign a second free agency safety.

There’s no guarantee Denver will find one in the draft that they like either, which perhaps means Jackson will be retained for the final year of his contract. One possibility is that the Broncos will ask him to restructure his contract, converting base salary into incentives to give the team the flexibility to add free agents to help the defense.

Gabriel Christ / Denver Broncos

Jurrell Casey, DL

Cap hit of 2021: $ 11.8 million

Savings if cut or traded: $ 11.8 million, no dead money

Probability that it remains: Casey only appeared a few games before a torn bicep ended his season. If he stays depends on what the Broncos want to do for a veteran defensive lineman. If the Broncos, for example, sign Shelby Harris again, they’ve likely cut Casey to make room for him.

Second-level vulnerable veterinarians

Melvin Gordon, RB

Cap hit of 2021: $ 9 million

Savings if cut: $ 2.5M, $ 6.5M dead money

Savings if negotiated: $ 7 million, $ 2 million dead money

Probability that it remains: Gordon has performed well overall in 2020 and while the Broncos may void his guarantees in 2021 due to his arrest for DUI, that does not guarantee they will part with him. It won’t surprise me if he is successful.

Note that Gordon has a fully guaranteed amount of money due in 2021, which is why the savings are less at that time if he is simply cut rather than negotiated.

One thing to keep in mind is that if Gordon is sentenced he must serve a three-game suspension in 2021. In that case, the Broncos wouldn’t have to pay him for the games he misses.

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Callahan, CB

Cap hit of 2021: $ 8.1 M

Savings if cut or traded: $ 6.8M, $ 1.3M dead money

Probability that it remains: Callahan had a Pro Bowl-worthy season, but missed the last few games with a foot injury. But because he played well and his injury won’t require surgery, Callahan will likely be held up.

Nick Vannett, TE

Cap hit of 2021: $ 3.575 million

Savings if cut or traded: $ 2.7M, $ 875K in dead money

Probability that it remains: Vannett had a bad start in 2020 and was inactive for one game due to the coaches’ decision, but played better in the second half. While the Broncos can save space by cutting it down, there’s a chance it will be saved for now. The Broncos can always cut it later if they find a better free agency or draft option.

Jeff Driskel, QB

Cap hit of 2021: $ 3.25 million

Savings if cut or traded: $ 2.5M, $ 750,000 in dead money

Probability that it remains: Driskel is behind Brett Rypien on the depth card. This means that there is not much to say other than that it will be cut. There is no justification for keeping a third chain QB at a cost of $ 2.5 million in ceiling space.

Other potentially vulnerable veterinarians

There are two veterans, offensive guard Graham Glasgow and right tackle Ja’Wuan James, who have been mentioned as being able to be dropped and replaced by younger players.

Cutting either player would not help the Broncos, as both have a fully guaranteed base salary for 2021. However, the Broncos could trade either player to earn a bit of money. ceiling space.

It wouldn’t be much for either player, with $ 3million released and $ 9million in dead money for Glasgow trading, and $ 4million released with $ 9million. dead money for James’ trading, respectively. Still, trades are an option for the Broncos, and they shouldn’t necessarily include a draft pick to move either player.

That said, I don’t expect the Broncos to trade either player or the other. But they can revisit in 2022 when they have more ceiling flexibility by leaving either player.

Most likely scenario

I expect Bouye, Casey and Driskel to be cut off. Going from that trio would increase the Broncos’ ceiling space to around $ 39.5 million. Keep in mind that the first 51 threshold applies, so a few players who fall below the threshold would exceed it with these three released.

[ad_2]

Source link