5 Cuts That Could Create Cap Space for the Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos will have some tough decisions to make this offseason. General manager John Elway isn’t afraid to make tough calls when it comes to coaching or personnel. He’s already overhauled the coaching staff, and now Elway will turn his attention toward free agency and the draft.
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.
With important free agents like wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, tight end Julius Thomas and defensive tackle Terrance Knighton to re-sign, the Broncos are going to run out of cap room quick.
To free up some money, Denver could look at releasing some overpriced players who aren’t worth their cap number in 2015.
Here are five cuts that could create cap space for the Denver Broncos.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via Denver Broncos unless otherwise noted. Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac.com. Transaction history provided by ProSportsTransactions.com.
Manny Ramirez
1 of 5
The Broncos need a better offensive line. They moved Manny Ramirez from the starting center position that he manned for all of 2013 and about half of 2014. Denver shifted Ramirez to his more natural position of right guard in an effort to improve his play.
No matter if he was at center or guard, Ramirez struggled to be a consistent blocker. Sure, he was a road grader as a run-blocker, but Ramirez did not handle pass protection well. He failed to adequately protect Peyton Manning and often Ramirez would be late to adjust to line stunts from opposing defenses.
Dead Money: $166,668
Likelihood of Release: High
Ramirez is a mauler on the offensive line, but his game lacks the finesse needed to excel in the zone-blocking scheme. His high cap hit, and savings provided with cutting him, could seal his fate. It would be a surprise to me to see Ramirez on the Broncos roster in 2015.
Andre Caldwell
2 of 5
The Broncos offense will have a different look under new head coach Gary Kubiak. We should see Denver implement a two-tight end look on most snaps, so there’s no need for underachieving depth at wide receiver.
Andre “Bubba” Caldwell is arguably the fastest player on the team. However, he fails to change direction smoothly and often can’t translate his speed into big plays for the Broncos. In fact, this last season Caldwell had only five catches for 47 yards—and a paltry average of 9.4 yards per catch.
Dead Money: $200,000
Likelihood of Release: High
Caldwell is not playing up to his price tag—either as a receiver or a special teams player. When asked to do more as a receiver, Caldwell struggles to produce. As a return man, Caldwell fails to make much of an impact. There are other receivers who could take his spot on the final roster. We should see the Broncos look to add value at tight end, and to counter that they’ll trim the fat at wide receiver.
Chris Clark
3 of 5
Like Manny Ramirez, Chris Clark is an option for the Broncos to release this offseason. At least Ramirez kept a job on the offensive line after being moved from center to guard in 2014. Clark was so bad at right tackle that the team decided to replace him completely.
Clark did a fantastic job in 2013, filling in for left tackle Ryan Clady after he went down in the Week 2 game against the New York Giants. Sure, Clark struggled against elite edge-rushers, but he was the best option they had to protect Peyton Manning’s blindside.
He’s not much as a run-blocker, but Clark does have the athleticism necessary to work in a zone-blocking scheme. The Broncos are moving to that style of blocking in 2015 with new head coach Gary Kubiak calling the shots.
Dead Money: $225,666
Likelihood of Release: Medium
Having position versatility is Clark’s greatest asset. Depending on who the Broncos add in free agency or the draft, there may not be much room left for Clark on the final roster.
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Britton Colquitt
4 of 5
How much is a great punter worth? As it stands right now, Britton Colquitt will be the 4th-highest paid punter in 2015. That price may be deemed too high for a player who is not performing near the top of the NFL.
In 2014, Colquitt’s net punt yardage of 3,048 (24th), long punt of 65 yards (21st), number of punt touchbacks (22nd) and yards per punt of 44.17 (26th) all rank near the bottom of the league. Simply put, these numbers are too low for a player with such a high price tag.
Dead Money: $1.5 million
Likelihood of Release: Medium
Colquitt is a fine punter, and his price tag reflects his skill set and potential. Yes, he’s among the highest paid at his position, but the Broncos could feel he’s worth that price. All positions are going to be examined closely by the Broncos as they look for any additional salary-cap room they can gain. Colquitt’s poor numbers in 2014 might cost him his job in 2015.
Sylvester Williams
5 of 5
He’s not a great fit for Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense, and that’s why Sylvester Williams could be a surprise cut this offseason. He’s not yet a bust, but Williams is getting close after two years of failing to produce much with a starting role.
In 2014, Williams started next to Terrance Knighton but failed to wreak the kind of havoc that “Pot Roast” did with his snaps. In fact, Williams’ numbers (21 tackles, four assists) barely bested what he did as a rookie in 2013 (19 tackles, seven assists) when he only started about half of the season. Williams also failed to register a single sack after getting to the quarterback twice in 2013.
Dead Money: $3.04 million
Likelihood of Release: Low
The amount of dead money remaining is likely to keep Williams around in 2015. The Broncos spent a first-round pick on Williams just two years ago, and it would be a painful cut to give up on him at this time. Williams is entering a make-or-break season in 2015, and he may not be effective as a nose tackle in the 3-4.
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