4 Denver Broncos Players in Line for New Deal Before Start of 2015 Season

Earlier this week, the Miami Dolphins decided to ink franchise quarterback Ryan Tannehill to a new deal. It was a move the team didn't have to make, but Miami felt it was the right time to make it happen.

Not only will it keep Tannehill in Miami for the foreseeable future, but it allows the team to avoid free agency altogether. Moves like these take forethought, but they also show that the player and fanbase have a very high level of confidence in the direction the team is moving in.

But it's not just the franchise quarterback's contract that needs to be looked at closely before it's up. The last thing a team wants to do is get into a bidding war over one of its key players once free agency starts.

The Denver Broncos have 22 players on the current roster who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the 2015 season. The Broncos lost several players to free agency this offseason, and that could be the case again next year.

With that said, here is a look at four players whom John Elway may want to consider giving a new contract to sooner rather than later.

Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver

To ensure that star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas didn't hit the open market this offseason, the Broncos gave him a $12.8 million franchise tag. That doesn't mean he'll be around past this season, however.

The Broncos have until July 15 to reach a long-term deal with Thomas. Elway was not happy with Thomas' decision to skip offseason workouts, and you have to wonder how that will factor into whatever decision the team makes.

Thomas has been excellent in Denver, particularly with Peyton Manning playing quarterback. In each of the last three seasons, he's caught at least 90 passes for 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Only two other players in NFL history have accomplished that feat—Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison.

Because of that, and the fact he is still only 27 years old, Thomas is well worth whatever it is going to cost for the Broncos to keep him around. He has the tools to be the best wide receiver in team history.

Von Miller, Outside Linebacker

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Broncos opted to pick up Von Miller's fifth-year option last offseason, which in turn will pay him a hefty $9.7 million salary in 2015. Following the season, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

Pass-rushers are coveted by all 32 teams in the NFL, and Miller is one of the best young pass-rushers in the league. He would be one of the most attractive free agents if he were to hit the market, making it tough for the Broncos to keep him.

Despite being bogged down by injuries and a suspension in 2013, Miller still has 49 career sacks in four seasons. There aren't many players who can make that claim. On top of that, he just turned 26 years old.

Though it will likely come at a high cost, the Broncos need to do whatever they can to keep Miller in Denver for many years to come.

Brock Osweiler, Quarterback

Brock Osweiler will already be entering his fourth season in the league in 2015. So how is it that no one really knows if he is capable of being the team's starting quarterback?

Probably because he has attempted just 30 career passes and has never played a meaningful down.

That comes with being Manning's backup, and though Osweiler may be frustrated by this point, he has to have learned something, right? Denver fans need to hope so.

However, Osweiler will become an unrestricted free agent following the season, and barring a major injury to Manning this coming season, his career passing numbers aren't likely to change much.

One can only wonder what kind of market would be waiting for Osweiler, but there are plenty of teams in need of a quarterback that would roll the dice for the right price. They'd actually give him a chance to play, too.

If the Broncos still believe Osweiler is the quarterback of the future, it might not be a bad idea to get him signed before the season starts. That would show a commitment and help build his own confidence.

If not, Osweiler could sign elsewhere and the Broncos could be stuck in a big hole when Manning decides to hang it up.

C.J. Anderson, Running Back

It's unlikely the Broncos would be interested in getting a long-term deal done with C.J. Anderson prior to the season starting. After all, he's not even guaranteed to be the starting running back, though it would be a surprise if he wasn't.

Anderson had a great year for the team in 2014, rushing for 849 yards. He added 34 receptions and scored 10 total touchdowns.

Though the Broncos lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round of the playoffs, the run Anderson made in the highlight below shows what kind of player he is:

Anderson will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. He is scheduled to make a shade under $600,000 this season, and the Broncos may be able to keep him around for a slight increase in pay.

If Anderson has a season like he did in 2014 again, the Broncos run the risk of having teams make qualifying offers to him in the offseason.

As it stands, the team probably would like to see if Anderson can repeat his performance from last year. If they offer him a contract now and he regresses the way Montee Ball did, it could turn out to be a bad decision.

Despite being undrafted coming out of college, Anderson has found a great opportunity with the team. But because he wasn't drafted, a team signing him to an offer sheet would owe Denver nothing in return if it were able to lure him away.

Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.