Denver Broncos: Players they should re-sign before free agency

After a disappointing end to the 2014 season, the Denver Broncos now shift all focus to the offseason. The team currently has 20 players who will face free agent status, some who were key pieces of the team. The players that headline the list of 20 are Demaryius Thomas, Terrance Knighton, Julius Thomas, Rahim Moore, and an emerging player in Brandon Marshall.

The Broncos face a tough decision due to salary cap purposes, specifically regarding top pass catchers Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas. There have been some doubts whether or not Denver could retain both. There is a slim chance it could happen, but if I’m Denver, I don’t take the risk on Julius.

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Don’t get me wrong, Julius is a top-talent in today’s National Football League, but his injury history and lackluster second-half didn’t give Denver any reason to extend him long-term. After recording nine touchdown passes after the first five games of the season, Thomas fell completely off the map. He recorded just one 50+ yard game (at Oakland) and three touchdown passes for the remainder of the season (8 games). It could be attributed to the newfound run game and his ankle problem, but Denver could allocate their money elsewhere (offensive line).

Players I’d keep:

WR, Demaryius Thomas, UFA.
TE, Virgil Green, UFA.
LB, Brandon Marshall, RFA.
DT, Terrance Knighton, UFA.
LS, Aaron Brewer, RFA. (Just because)

Players on the fence to keep:

OT, Orlando Franklin, UFA.
S, Rahim Moore, UFA.
LB, Steven Johnson, RFA.
OT, Paul Cornick, RFA.
LB, Nate Irving, UFA.

Players to let go:

WR, Wes Welker, UFA.
TE, Jacob Tamme, UFA.
C, Will Montgomery, UFA.
DT, Mitch Unrein, UFA.
S, Quinton Carter, UFA.
TE, Julius Thomas, UFA.
CB, Tony Carter, RFA.
G, Ben Garland, RFA.
DE, John Youboty, ERFA.
G, Austin Wuebbeis, RFA.

Regarding the players to keep, it’s simple. Demaryius Thomas needs to be a fixture in this offense for years to come, Terrance Knighton has been a great clog against the run, Denver needs Virgil Green for the run game, and Brandon Marshall is a budding star at the linebacker position.

Regarding the players on the fence, it’s a tricky bunch. I like Orlando Franklin and his toughness up front, but he just isn’t suited at the left guard position. Rahim Moore’s play over the last month has been shaky, which puts him on the fence. I believe Denver will give Nate Irving another chance to prove himself after suffering a season-ending injury.

Regarding the players to let go. Wes Welker just isn’t the same player he used to be, obviously. Jacob Tamme has had a rough go of it, he’s basically just eating money. Quinton Carter continues to be injury-prone. Julius Thomas is too much of a risk for my liking.

You could go either way with some of these players like Orlando Franklin, Rahim Moore, Nate Irving, and even Julius Thomas, but the players I have listed to retain are the ones Denver needs to keep on their team for year(s) to come.