Denver Broncos Free Agency: Projecting Contract Offers for Denver

The Denver Broncos were big players in free agency last offseason. They fell short of winning the Super Bowl again, and now the team is back to the drawing board to find the right mix of players. They’ll be working diligently to find playmakers via the 2015 NFL draft, but they’ll also consider free agents (including their own) to build the roster.

As per usual, the Broncos have a first-place schedule in 2015. They will face off against other division champs, but with four AFC West titles in a row, they’ve been used to this over the last three seasons.

The Broncos want to get back to and win the Super Bowl. They fell short of that goal this year, and massive changes took place at Dove Valley. The biggest is the hiring of Gary Kubiak as their new head coach.

General manager John Elway—a longtime friend of Kubiak—believes that he’s the man to get them to the next step.

“Gary Kubiak has established a track record of leadership, success and high character during his 30 seasons in the NFL,” Elway said. “While there is no question he is a Bronco, what Gary has learned from his other opportunities around the league—especially in his eight seasons as a head coach—will tremendously benefit our organization.”

According to Spotrac.com, the Broncos have more than $116 million committed to 45 players who are under contract for 2015. With the salary cap predicted to rise between $138 and $141 million, per Jarrett Bell of USA Today, Elway will have around $22 million to make additional moves.

Here is a preview of five contract offers that the Broncos should make this offseason.

Terrance Knighton, Defensive Tackle

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The man Broncos fans know as “Pot Roast” is going to get a sizable free-agent contract this offseason. In 2014, Knighton had a cap number of $2.7 million. We could see that number double in 2015—with the Broncos or some other team.

Denver needs to maintain their strength in the middle of the defensive line. They were a strong run defense in 2014, and they only allowed an average of 79.8 rushing yards per game. That mark ranked second-best in the NFL. A big part of that—literally—was Knighton.

We could see the Broncos offer Knighton a contract similar to what Vince Wilfork received from the New England Patriots. Wilfork ranks as the ninth-highest paid 4-3 defensive tackle, according to Over the Cap, with a yearly salary average of $5.5 million. Like the Patriots, the Broncos need to get creative with bonuses like signing and roster to make it worthwhile for the big defensive tackle.

Predicted Contract: Three years, $17 million

Virgil Green, Tight End

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

One of the most underrated Broncos on the roster is tight end Virgil Green. In college at Nevada, Green was known as an athletic move tight end and a favorite target of his quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

During his time in the pros, Green has developed into the Broncos' best blocking tight end.

Green hasn’t been used much as a receiver (23 career catches), but he could do more if called upon. The Broncos are moving forward with Gary Kubiak as their new head coach. Tight ends who play under Kubiak are often all-purpose players who will be asked to block often.

Green is a great fit for the new scheme in Denver. As the team continues to run the ball effectively, Green will be helping to blast open holes (or more specifically, cutback lanes). As mostly a blocking tight end, Green's new contract won't be too large.

Predicted Contract: Five years, $10 million

Rahim Moore, Free Safety

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

The Broncos reshaped their secondary last offseason with the addition of strong safety T.J. Ward and cornerback Aqib Talib. Ward was the first free agent added by the Broncos last year, and they signed him to a four-year, $22.5 million dollar contract.

Rahim Moore is not going to get that kind of money.

However, Moore does deserve a raise given his play over the last two years. Moore had an annual average salary of $1.1 million with his first contract. This new deal could be similar to the deal that Reggie Nelson signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Nelson is the 22nd-highest paid safety in the league according to Over The Cap.

Moore has played with more confidence over the last two seasons, and the Broncos need to reward him with a fair deal.

Predicted Contract: Four years, $15 million

Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

Finding enough money to pay Demaryius Thomas could prove to be difficult this offseason for the Broncos. Over the course of his career—and especially after Peyton Manning arrived in Denver—Thomas has emerged as one of the best receivers in the league.

The Broncos could choose to franchise tag Thomas in order to secure his services for 2015. The one-year, fully-guaranteed salary would be around $12.7 million, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

In addition to insuring that Thomas would be with the Broncos in 2015, placing the franchise tag on him would give the team extra time to get a new deal done. The team would have a July 15th deadline to work out a new long-term deal with their superstar wide receiver.

This seems to be the best path for the Broncos to follow.

When Thomas does get a new deal, it is likely to be one of the biggest in the league at the wide receiver position. Both Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson have $100 million-plus contracts that pay them an annual average salary over $16 million.

The Broncos are unlikely to pay that hefty a price. However, guys like Mike Wallace and Percy Harvin both have deals that pay them over $12 million annually. Thomas should at least get a deal greater than that amount.

Predicted Contract: Six years, $75 million

Bryan Bulaga, Offensive Tackle

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

The Broncos need to upgrade their offensive line in 2015. In order to do that, we should see them pursue at least one offensive lineman in free agency.

Bryan Bulaga is a talented option for the Broncos—and his price tag might be lower than some would think.

The Green Bay Packers right tackle missed all of the 2013 season with an ACL injury. In 2014, Bulaga missed more time with an MCL injury. These injury concerns could keep his price tag down now that he’s set to hit the open market.

Bulaga had a cap number of $3.8 million in 2014. His new contract won’t break the bank, but the Broncos will have to pay him a bit more annually in order to secure his services. A contract that pays within $4-5 million annually sounds about right for a player of his caliber.

Predicted Contract: Four years, $16 million

All contract/salary-cap/free-agent information provided via Spotrac.com. All quotes are obtained firsthand.