2026 Contracts, Free Agent Signings and Draft Priorities

[cdumler7]

This, from what I read, is a pretty deep class for WR. I’m seeing 10 or 11 WRs in the top 50 in different rankings. And when teams have different types of players they want to fit their system, it wouldn’t surprise me if we take a WR with one of our first 3 or 4 picks that becomes good value.

There are some good WR's for sure. I'm not sure the ones I would really want and think would be a nice upgrade over what we already have will make it to pick 30. Heck most will probably be gone by pick 17-18. So not worth a trade up.

The next bunch is a nice group as well, but not sure how much you would be getting from them that you can't already get from Franklin/Mims/Bryant.

 

[cdumler7]

The money we paid Russ last year was $38M I believe, if we had $28M in free cap space, that puts up in the $70M range.

Also new salary cap will be $301M - $305M. An increase from $279M last year. So almost a $26M cap increase.
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What the Broncos did because of the Russ contract wasn't exactly save money though. What they did is borrow on the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons to keep cap hits lower while we still had the Russ money on the deal. This is where having the richest owners in the NFL really pays off, but can also become a problem. Cash is more important than cap space. You can manipulate the cap quite a bit if you have the cash to do it. Not every team has the cash to do what the Broncos can do.

As for the salary increase yeah that helps, but most websites like Overthecap and Spotrac already factor that into their estimates of how much cap space each team has. So the number they show of $28 million on Overthecap for the Broncos is how much they believe the Broncos have if the salary cap is at $303.5 million Spotract has us pretty much at the exact same spot of $27.99 million in cap space.

One other thing to factor into all of this. Effective cap space is probably the more important number. That usually factors in Practice Squad and Draft pick allocation money as that will eat up part of the salary cap. So reality is Broncos probably have something close to $20 million in cap space to work with. That is before any cuts are made and I would expect the Broncos to maybe either re-work a couple of deals or make a couple of cuts.

 

[nflbronco]

What the Broncos did because of the Russ contract wasn't exactly save money though. What they did is borrow on the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons to keep cap hits lower while we still had the Russ money on the deal. This is where having the richest owners in the NFL really pays off, but can also become a problem. Cash is more important than cap space. You can manipulate the cap quite a bit if you have the cash to do it. Not every team has the cash to do what the Broncos can do.

As for the salary increase yeah that helps, but most websites like Overthecap and Spotrac already factor that into their estimates of how much cap space each team has. So the number they show of $28 million on Overthecap for the Broncos is how much they believe the Broncos have if the salary cap is at $303.5 million Spotract has us pretty much at the exact same spot of $27.99 million in cap space.

One other thing to factor into all of this. Effective cap space is probably the more important number. That usually factors in Practice Squad and Draft pick allocation money as that will eat up part of the salary cap. So reality is Broncos probably have something close to $20 million in cap space to work with. That is before any cuts are made and I would expect the Broncos to maybe either re-work a couple of deals or make a couple of cuts.

Fans focus on the cap too much. Our FO has done a solid job so I just wait to see what happens in FA. Greg Penner is a great owner he is aggressive but, not go crazy he's still grounded.

On a side note when do you start addressing both T spots 27/28 drafts team building wise?

 

[Duffman]

Look I just want to sign a few big name free agents who are gonna make our offense better while keeping the defense still elite, is that too much to ask?????

 

[nflbronco]

Give me a near top tier RB TE WR (Who can catch)

 

[cdumler7]

Fans focus on the cap too much. Our FO has done a solid job so I just wait to see what happens in FA. Greg Penner is a great owner he is aggressive but, not go crazy he's still grounded.

On a side note when do you start addressing both T spots 27/28 drafts team building wise?

I'm willing to look in this year's draft. Give them time with Streif to grow and be prepared. Heck if there is someone you like in the 1st round I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger. If the Broncos want to move on from Powers you could put the rookie tackle in at the guard spot and then eventually move them out whenever you have one of your tackle spots open.

I can tell you I would start going harder than some people realize. Bolles is starting to think about retirement. He will play this next year, but he has told some people close to him that he would have really thought about it if the Broncos had won the Super Bowl this year. If I remember right it was either knee or back pain that just won't go away. It doesn't stop him from being a great player, but each year the wear and tear makes it worse. And he wants to be able to play with his kids.

 

[Orange Crush77]

AJ Brown though we've seen it work. Are we forgetting the Eagles won a Super Bowl with him just a year ago? He had 3 years of nothing crazy coming out of Philly about him. It wasn't until this year when the offense as a whole was struggling after being a dominant force the year before that we saw him start to openly complain.

The nice thing here in Denver is we know he would get the target shares he would want. We are a pass first offense and will be as long as Payton is here. I'm not saying Brown is a long term answer and be here for the next 5-7 years. I'm looking at a 3-year window with Nix on a rookie contract and this roster being helped by a dominant #1 type WR. And a guy that can put up 1500 yards and 8-10 TD's on the season sounds really nice for this offense.

It would really depend on what the Eagles would take for Brown in a trade. Im wondering what their asking price would be

 

[Mountain Bronco]

It would really depend on what the Eagles would take for Brown in a trade. Im wondering what their asking price would be

Agreed. I wouldn't give up a ton for a player that has the baggage and a hefty contract. Not sure what a trade would do to the cap hits but it already looks like there is a void year in 2030 with a very large cap hit. I actually think his contract would have to be reworked for a trade to happen as the dead cap hit for a trade is huge to the eagles.

 

[Safety]

Please not Brown. He drops too many passes. He had that diva crybaby crap in Tennessee and whined his way out of there. Now he's in Philly doing the EXACT SAME THING AGAIN. People like him are NEVER happy. If he came here, we'd have a honeymoon phase for maybe 1 to 1 1/2 seasons and then he would start his crap all over again and we don't need that distraction or that drama.

 

[cdumler7]

It would really depend on what the Eagles would take for Brown in a trade. Im wondering what their asking price would be

I agree the cost would matter. I'm not giving up a 1st for him. Heck probably not even a 2nd. Maybe a 3rd and 5th round pick type trade for Brown and a 7th.

 

[58crash]

Do. It.

Okay, but they will have to double down on your organs... I lost one I am keeping the rest

 

[58crash]

This, from what I read, is a pretty deep class for WR. I’m seeing 10 or 11 WRs in the top 50 in different rankings. And when teams have different types of players they want to fit their system, it wouldn’t surprise me if we take a WR with one of our first 3 or 4 picks that becomes good value.

this ...

Franklin looked dang good till he fell into the dog house for blocking something tells me these devas dont block worth a franklin . meaning keep what you got and teach him how to block he is not a deva. I believe in Franklin

 

[Safety]

Give me a near top tier RB TE WR (Who can catch)

Damn...the Broncos need to get Eli Stowers, TE out of Vanderbilt.

 

[BHamita15]

Damn...the Broncos need to get Eli Stowers, TE out of Vanderbilt.

Tight end might be stretching it. Lol. I would love him in the Lil'Jordan/Sherfield role.

 

[cdumler7]

Tight end might be stretching it. Lol. I would love him in the Lil'Jordan/Sherfield role.

This. He is a nice move type TE, but we have seen already the bigger need right now is someone that can be more of an inline TE. Someone that will be a 3-down type guy that a defense won't be keyed that it is a pass play. I like Stowers, but it better come with another TE move that can actually help the run game.

 

[Safety]

This. He is a nice move type TE, but we have seen already the bigger need right now is someone that can be more of an inline TE. Someone that will be a 3-down type guy that a defense won't be keyed that it is a pass play. I like Stowers, but it better come with another TE move that can actually help the run game.

Draft Stowers and get Mayer from the Raiders.

 

[cdumler7]

Draft Stowers and get Mayer from the Raiders.

I'm doubting the Raiders would want to trade him within the division. It does happen every once in a while, but very rare. I was thinking more of a Goedert/Stowers combo or Njoku/Stowers combo. Gives you a nice vet that can play multiple positions and help in the run game. They are not the best run blockers by any means, but better than what the Broncos have had over the last couple of years.

 

[Safety]

I'm doubting the Raiders would want to trade him within the division. It does happen every once in a while, but very rare. I was thinking more of a Goedert/Stowers combo or Njoku/Stowers combo. Gives you a nice vet that can play multiple positions and help in the run game. They are not the best run blockers by any means, but better than what the Broncos have had over the last couple of years.

Raiders are about to have a HUGE fire sale as they are doing a massive rebuild with the GM, new head coach, and having the #1 pick.

Crosby wants out. They have Bowers already. A 4th for Mayer wouldn't be unreasonable.

 

[LGM]

I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to grab one of the Rams's te's.

But to me, they are exactly what we need. Not Stowers, Sadiq, etc.

 

[Mountain Bronco]

Cade Otton brings the in line skill set and a decent upside as a receiver. He is a free agent so wouldn't cost draft compensation, but will take a contract similar to what Engram got, but he is exactly what Denver needs.