OTC: Broncos 2015 salary cap outlook

[VonDoom]

Over the Cap has been doing write ups on each team as they head into FA and the draft. Today was our turn. They advocate re-signing DT (to a long term deal ASAP), Franklin and Moore, letting go of JT and Knighton, renegotiating with Marshall and Miller, and releasing Caldwell and Clark (though they refer to him as Chris Chester in the article, for some reason, but I assume they mean Clark).


Still I would not expect the team to make a major splash in free agency. I think they will look for a cheaper option as replacement for Thomas, perhaps being linked with Owen Daniels as a short term contract while developing a younger player. I would guess they will look for depth along the defensive line and possibly linebacker, where the costs won’t be so high. If the Raiders release Antonio Smith he would be a natural fit in Denver, essentially a swap of Knighton for Smith, who should be very familiar with the team’s new staff. This is a good free agent group of right tackles and I could see that being an option as well.

In the draft it should be all about bringing youth onto the defense and bringing in a young receiver or tight end. The team can’t fal into the trap of getting old chasing a ring and then wake up post Manning with a roster of 30 year olds and no young players with experience to take over. Right now the window for many of the players on the team is an extra two years, at most, of peak performance. This is the time to begin the process of identifying the veterans that you can replace in 2016 and 2017 with younger, cheaper, and better options to help transition the Broncos into the post Manning era.

The rest: http://overthecap.com/broncos-2015-salary-cap-outlook/

[Simple Jaded]

Caldwell, Clark, Ramirez, Colquitt. If they keep Moore they should consider moving Bruton, if they let Moore walk they should consider actually letting Bruton earn his keep on defense. Paying Colquitt and Bruton that much on ST's as bad as Denver's is a luxury.

[Simple Jaded]

Caldwell, Clark, Ramirez, Colquitt. If they keep Moore they should consider moving Bruton, if they let Moore walk they should consider actually letting Bruton earn his keep on defense. Paying Colquitt and Bruton that much on ST's as bad as Denver's is a luxury.

In before "ST's are just as important as. . .".

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

I would really like them to go with BPA, especially in this draft for the reasons cited. Adding talent ads competition. Competition adds excellence.

[Valar Morghulis]

Caldwell, Clark, Ramirez, Colquitt. If they keep Moore they should consider moving Bruton, if they let Moore walk they should consider actually letting Bruton earn his keep on defense. Paying Colquitt and Bruton that much on ST's as bad as Denver's is a luxury.

I thought Bruton looked good when he had to step up on D last year.

[VonDoom]

Caldwell, Clark, Ramirez, Colquitt. If they keep Moore they should consider moving Bruton, if they let Moore walk they should consider actually letting Bruton earn his keep on defense. Paying Colquitt and Bruton that much on ST's as bad as Denver's is a luxury.

I absolutely agree with your four cuts. Easiest dead weight and/or too expensive for their production

[Simple Jaded]

I thought Bruton looked good when he had to step up on D last year.

He stood out more than the Dream to me, and I don't mind Moore either.

[Ziggy]

In before "ST's are just as important as. . .".

They are, which is why Colquitt should have been cut a year ago.

[Rick]

I am torn on cutting Colquitt simply for cap room. Production? Yes.

We still need a punter, if we cut him to save a bit over a mill and sign a new punter for a bit over a mil, you have saved bottom line cash but not cap room.

[Traveler]

I am torn on cutting Colquitt simply for cap room. Production? Yes.

We still need a punter, if we cut him to save a bit over a mill and sign a new punter for a bit over a mil, you have saved bottom line cash but not cap room.

I think Colquitt is a prime candidate for a pay cut. If he refuses, then cut him. Not much talent out there a far as punters go.

OT- We know there are several candidates to possiblt be cut or released. Wonder what the holdup is in doing so?

[VonDoom]

I am torn on cutting Colquitt simply for cap room. Production? Yes.

We still need a punter, if we cut him to save a bit over a mill and sign a new punter for a bit over a mil, you have saved bottom line cash but not cap room.

His cap number is 3.75 million. Now, if we cut him, we take a 1.5 million cap hit (not ideal) but save 2.25 million. I'm assuming we can get a decent punter for less than that. If we designate him as a post-June 1 cut, that spreads the 1.5 million hit over two years, and we save a cool 3 million on the cap this year. He's just plain not that good, so I imagine we could pick up a punter for much less than that.

[VonDoom]

I think Colquitt is a prime candidate for a pay cut. If he refuses, then cut him. Not much talent out there a far as punters go.

OT- We know there are several candidates to possiblt be cut or released. Wonder what the holdup is in doing so?

I'm guessing Elway is waiting until right at the start of free agency, as he's said as much regarding our big ticket guys. There will be a flurry of activity by next week, one way or another.

[Rick]

His cap number is 3.75 million. Now, if we cut him, we take a 1.5 million cap hit (not ideal) but save 2.25 million. I'm assuming we can get a decent punter for less than that. If we designate him as a post-June 1 cut, that spreads the 1.5 million hit over two years, and we save a cool 3 million on the cap this year. He's just plain not that good, so I imagine we could pick up a punter for much less than that.

Unless I am missing something, the way I see it is, yes, we are maybe say only paying a punter 1.5 now instead of 3.75. That sounds a lot better and s much better on the bottom line that Bowlen is paying. As far as CAP room goes, we have a 1.5 penalty and paying 1.5 punter, so have saved 750k in cap.

Now if able to spread that penalty over 2 years, little better.

[Simple Jaded]

Brandon McManus holds the Temple record for punt average with 45.5 yards, he's already on Denver's salary cap with something like $500.000. Cutting Colquitt would be pure savings, aside from dead money.

[Cugel]

The team can’t fal into the trap of getting old chasing a ring and then wake up post Manning with a roster of 30 year olds and no young players with experience to take over. Right now the window for many of the players on the team is an extra two years, at most, of peak performance. This is the time to begin the process of identifying the veterans that you can replace in 2016 and 2017 with younger, cheaper, and better options to help transition the Broncos into the post Manning era.

This is an almost perfect synopsis of the Broncos salary cap situation. They built the team with high priced FAs to win now with Peyton, and starting this season they are going to have to start to re-build with younger, cheaper players, mostly acquired through the draft.

They have already begun this process with drafting Bradley Roby and Cody Latimer (to eventually replace Aquib Talib and D.T.) and it will accelerate this off-season with a lot of guys from the 2014 roster leaving town: Orlando Franklin, Julius Thomas, Rahim Moore. 2016 I would expect the Broncos to take a hard look at cutting Aquib Talib and T.J. Ward. They have to make a huge decision regarding Von Miller as well. Is he worth the kind of $15+ million a year that he will command in the FA market?

Ideally they would re-sign him to a new contract this off-season rather than wait for his contract to expire next February, but they can't afford it.

[Simple Jaded]

So Cugel, who do you think should replace Kubiak after his contract runs out?

[sneakers]

they are going to have to rework some deals if they want to do anything, but I heard that the salary cap is going up by more than 10 million

[Rick]

This is an almost perfect synopsis of the Broncos salary cap situation. They built the team with high priced FAs to win now with Peyton, and starting this season they are going to have to start to re-build with younger, cheaper players, mostly acquired through the draft.

They have already begun this process with drafting Bradley Roby and Cody Latimer (to eventually replace Aquib Talib and D.T.) and it will accelerate this off-season with a lot of guys from the 2014 roster leaving town: Orlando Franklin, Julius Thomas, Rahim Moore. 2016 I would expect the Broncos to take a hard look at cutting Aquib Talib and T.J. Ward. They have to make a huge decision regarding Von Miller as well. Is he worth the kind of $15+ million a year that he will command in the FA market?

Ideally they would re-sign him to a new contract this off-season rather than wait for his contract to expire next February, but they can't afford it.

With the 3-4 defense we have now I see no way Miller ever leaves Denver, even if it means said 15+ mill. We can't afford to lose both Ware AND Miller.

I do see Ware's(Someone on roster or rookie. I bet on McCray) contract being replaced after this season though as well as Talib's(Roby) and whatever portion of Manning's we don't still owe him after a restructure. That is a chunk of change right there.

[Lancane]

they are going to have to rework some deals if they want to do anything, but I heard that the salary cap is going up by more than 10 million

Denver under the new cap and rollover from last season have about 28 mil. Demaryius has been tagged today which is 12.80 million according to NFLN, so the Broncos have about 14 million left, big part of the reason that I think Manning restructuring is so important for Denver.

[underrated29]

Ware will be gone by start of next year is my guess. There is 10 mil freed up. We will be drafting his replacement within the first 2 rounds this year I can almost guarantee. TJ ward I cannot see going anywhere. He is a good fit for us and Wade will not use him as a MLB like del rio. He will be back to being an enforcing SS who will drop in the box. I see him staying for a long while. I am not sure about Talib. My opinion is that he probably plays out his contract. Roby, Harris, Talib is a rock solid set of Dbs for the next 4ish years. We are young on defense. If we can land a OLB this year, and a DT and DE this and or next year- we should be all set to roll for the next 4ish years with great players.

On offense we will need a RT and in about 3-4 years a LT. We know we need a LG and I have hopes for Paradis. I like him. I really do. Tackle is the issue and my gut says schofield will be a LG and not a RT....unless he makes big strides this year too.

TE is easy to replace this year in fA or draft. Really, we MUST get an OLB and at least one T (RT/LT). If we can hit on those two positions with starter quality players then the rest should fll into place rather nicely.

[Rick]

Ware will be gone by start of next year is my guess. There is 10 mil freed up. We will be drafting his replacement within the first 2 rounds this year I can almost guarantee. TJ ward I cannot see going anywhere. He is a good fit for us and Wade will not use him as a MLB like del rio. He will be back to being an enforcing SS who will drop in the box. I see him staying for a long while. I am not sure about Talib. My opinion is that he probably plays out his contract. Roby, Harris, Talib is a rock solid set of Dbs for the next 4ish years. We are young on defense. If we can land a OLB this year, and a DT and DE this and or next year- we should be all set to roll for the next 4ish years with great players.

On offense we will need a RT and in about 3-4 years a LT. We know we need a LG and I have hopes for Paradis. I like him. I really do. Tackle is the issue and my gut says schofield will be a LG and not a RT....unless he makes big strides this year too.

TE is easy to replace this year in fA or draft. Really, we MUST get an OLB and at least one T (RT/LT). If we can hit on those two positions with starter quality players then the rest should fll into place rather nicely.


I have a feeling McCray may surprise and take over for Ware after this year. This kid just seems to always be putting out pressure, always see his jersey around the QB.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 29m

The @Broncos' cap for 2015 is $150.66 million after adjustments, higher than 21 other teams. http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-salary-cap-figure-set-for-2015/a0a34a35-1a91-455f-a86f-d9f0b7a570e5 …

[underrated29]

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 29m

The @Broncos' cap for 2015 is $150.66 million after adjustments, higher than 21 other teams. http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-salary-cap-figure-set-for-2015/a0a34a35-1a91-455f-a86f-d9f0b7a570e5 …



I dont understand this. What is this saying? Our salary cap is higher than other teams? I know that cannot be correct. What am I omitting?

[VonDoom]

I dont understand this. What is this saying? Our salary cap is higher than other teams? I know that cannot be correct. What am I omitting?

We had money carry over from last year. I believe most teams have this. Depending on how much you had, that's how much you have available in cap space this year.

[VonDoom]

The NFLPA issued a release that shows every team's cap room for the current season:

https://www.nflpa.com/news/all-news/2015-nfl-salary-cap-and-adjusted-team-positions

[Rick]

Jax going to be major players. Bye bye JT.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Jax bring in JT, Murray and Franklin to help out their young QB.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

We had money carry over from last year. I believe most teams have this. Depending on how much you had, that's how much you have available in cap space this year.

Correct, and that was explained in the link I posted from the Broncos' website

[underrated29]

We had money carry over from last year. I believe most teams have this. Depending on how much you had, that's how much you have available in cap space this year.


Correct, and that was explained in the link I posted from the Broncos' website



Thank you. I thought that was a twitter link. Not an actual article with additional information.

[DenBronx]

With 13 mill in estimated cap left there is no way were going to be able to afford Knighton. We could work a deal with Julius when Manning restructures and maybe have some spare change to get Welker or Jacoby Jones on a one year rental.

In any case were still going to need about 5 mill for our draft picks. We are going to need DT, S and OL help via draft.

Don't expect and big splashes in FA this year and be happy if we retain our own FAs.

Hopefully we nail this draft. I believe we have 9 or 10 picks this year so trading UP isn't out of the question. In short, no splashes fo free agency but we just might make one in the draft.

[Rick]

Draft Williams at TE and resign Virgil, move Webster to FS or get Moore back at friendly number, spend the money on the OL.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

The NFL on Monday announced the 2015 salary cap will be $143.28 million.

Per the collective bargaining agreement with the players' association, each of the 32 NFL teams have the option to carry over and unused cap space from the prior year. Below is every team's salary cap, carryover amount and adjusted cap for 2015.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_27622444/chart-2015-nfl-salary-cap-adjusted-team-positions?source=infinite

[BroncoWave]

Brandon McManus holds the Temple record for punt average with 45.5 yards, he's already on Denver's salary cap with something like $500.000. Cutting Colquitt would be pure savings, aside from dead money.

Be careful, I got blasted for suggesting that maybe McManus could be tried at punter. Apparently it's unthinkable that someone who was a good punter in college could be a good punter in the NFL.

[Lancane]

Be careful, I got blasted for suggesting that maybe McManus could be tried at punter. Apparently it's unthinkable that someone who was a good punter in college could be a good punter in the NFL.

No, it's that the Broncos like most NFL teams will not use dual role players in this day and age so not to wear them down, sort of stupid in regards to kickers....but it is what it is. I'm not sure what the Broncos will do about Colquitt.

[Lancane]

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_27622444/chart-2015-nfl-salary-cap-adjusted-team-positions?source=infinite

That is actually 1.28 million above original figures, 3.28 above what NFLPA asked and 8.28 above what the owners wanted to set it at.

[BroncoWave]

No, it's that the Broncos like most NFL teams will not use dual role players in this day and age so not to wear them down, sort of stupid in regards to kickers....but it is what it is. I'm not sure what the Broncos will do about Colquitt.

That's actually not what I suggested. I had suggested to keep Barth, make McManus punter and kickoff specialist , and cut Colquitt.

[Lancane]

That's actually not what I suggested. I had suggested to keep Barth, make McManus punter and kickoff specialist , and cut Colquitt.

So keep Barth as the PAT kicker rather then as a Place Kicker and use McManus for the other kicking specialties on Special Teams...I am cool with that.

[Simple Jaded]

So keep Barth as the PAT kicker rather then as a Place Kicker and use McManus for the other kicking specialties on Special Teams...I am cool with that.

Barth is the PK/PAT's and McManus is the P/KO, Barth does his current job, McManus does his current job and Colquitts job.

[DenBronx]

Anyone know an exact amount we will have to spend? I know the cap is 143 mill and we carried over 5 mill or so but what's the total we will have?

[VonDoom]

With the carryover, I think our cap number is 150. I read that we have about 17 million as of now, though I have to think we start making some cuts

[DenBronx]

Who gets cut and why?

[VonDoom]

Who gets cut and why?

Hopefully Colquitt, Ramirez, Clark and Caldwell, because they're all overpaid for their production

[DenBronx]

Caldwell is awful.

[SR]

Hopefully Colquitt, Ramirez, Clark and Caldwell, because they're all overpaid for their production

Colquitt?

[VonDoom]

Colquitt?

He has the highest AAV of any punter in the league and he's average at best. If we make him a post June 1 cut, he saves us $3 million this year. That's money better spent elsewhere.

[Simple Jaded]

In before "ST's are super, duper important".

[Valar Morghulis]

Cut colquit - he is ok but not for the cash he is getting paid.

Also sometimes I felt like I could throw the ball up and whip it with my penis further than he was kicking it.

Ok maybe not, but I really liked that expression and wanted to use it.