Breaking down the Broncos' impending unrestricted free agents

DENVER — Free-agent frenzy is about to take over the NFL, and thus the nation.

On Mar. 13, the new league years begins, meaning free agents can officially sign the dotted line and strike new contracts with any team in the league.

On Mar. 11, however, these free agents can begin to talk to teams and form non-binding agreements.

But before talking to other team’s players at that time, each team will look at their own impending free agents and see if they want to restrict any of them from hitting free agency by re-signing them before Mar. 13, re-sign them once free agency begins or simply just let them walk.

Here are the 13 players the Broncos are currently having that debate about within the walls at Dove Valley.

Matt Paradis

Reason to re-sign: Paradis is the Broncos’ offensive line. Not only did he not miss a single snap from the beginning of the 2015 season until Week 9 of last year, he’s been the only great player they’ve had on the line since he took over.

Re-signing Paradis would help keep some type of continuity on the offensive line, and oh by the way, keep one of the best centers in the league.

Case to let him walk: Dollar dollar bills. Paradis’ goal this offseason is to become the league’s highest-paid center, topping Ryan Jensen’s four-year, $42 million deal with the Buccaneers that included $22 million in guarantees.

The Broncos aren’t swimming in salary cap space.

Priority: Medium

Paradis’ value to the Broncos has been, and is, through the roof. But center isn’t a highly-valued position, so making him the highest-paid center in the league drops his priority. The two sides have talked multiple times, but Paradis will test the market.

Bradley Roby

Reason to re-sign: Depth. If the Broncos let Roby walk, they’ll have gone from Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby — an excellent cornerback trio — to just Chris in less than a year.

Case to let him walk: Playing on an expensive fifth-year option last year, Roby disappointed at times on and off the field. He’s proven he can be a great third cornerback in the league, but his price tag will likely cost that of a No. 1 or No. 2 cornerback.

Priority: Medium-low

Whether it’s in the draft (Greedy Williams, Deandre Baker or Byron Murphy) or in free agency (Bryce Callahan) there are plenty of options to find Roby’s replacement. However, Denver can’t afford to strike out on all of them and lose Roby.

Jared Veldheer

Reason to re-sign: Stability. If Veldheer isn’t back with the Broncos in 2019, they’ll have had a different starting right tackle in Week 1 for the past six seasons. That formula will never breed success.

Case to let him walk: Health. Veldheer hasn’t played a full season since 2015 and missed four games last year due to injuries. As great as it is to have stability, availability is key for that.

Priority: Medium

There are other options for the Broncos to find a right tackle, whether that’s the draft or players on their own roster — cough cough Billy Turner (read below).

Billy Turner

Reason to re-sign: Turner’s proven he can do nearly anything in Denver — from being a backup to four positions on the line, outside of center, to being a formidable starting guard and tackle. Keeping him gives Mike Munchak the ability to mold the 6-foot-5, 310-pound frame into the player and position he sees best fit.

Case to let him walk: Turner demands that he’s a starter, and thus demands starter money.

Priority: Medium-low

News surfaced this week that Turner will hit free agency after the impending free agent broke off contract talks.

Jeff Heuerman

Reason to re-sign: Heuerman was just beginning to show his third-round potential before his season was cut short early last year due to injuries. Keeping him goes off the belief that his full potential has yet to be seen.

Case to let him walk: In the four years since being drafted in 2015, Heuerman has started a total of 18 games. His best season, last year, he put up an underwhelming 281 receiving yards on 31 catches. If he can’t stay healthy, what’s the point?

Priority: Medium

During the season, Elway stated he wanted to lock Heuerman up and keep him a Bronco moving forward. Nuff said. If for some reason John doesn’t come through on that, there are other tight ends on the market who could fill the void.

Shaquil Barrett

Reason to re-sign: Elway’s always put plenty of value in pass rushers. Investing in Shaq is another example of that. Plus, Barrett’s proved he’s an excellent all-around backup.

Case to let him walk: Barrett’s made it very clear he wants to be a starter. That won’t happen with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb in town, and neither of them are going anywhere anytime soon. A change of scenery makes the most sense from Shaq’s perspective.

Priority: Low

The Broncos would love to have a player of Shaq’s ability. But there’s a reason. He’s too good to be a career backup. Elway knows he’ll have better opportunities elsewhere.

Shane Ray

Reason to re-sign: Talent. The former first-round pick never reached his full potential in his four years in Denver. And he won’t get to, either.

Case to let him walk: Ray’s unhappy in Denver and the Broncos aren’t interested in keeping him around.

Priority: Lowest of low

Ever since the Broncos didn’t pick up Ray’s fifth-year option in the spring of 2018, Ray and the Broncos’ relationship has deteriorated. He wants a fresh start and so do the Broncos.

Domata Peko

Reason to re-sign: Elway won when he signed the then 32-year old to a two-year, $7.5 million contract two years ago. Peko rebounded from a down season in Cincinnati in 2016 with two impressive years in Denver. Re-signing him in 2019 would be with the intention that he has more in the tank and can be a bridge to Denver finding their next big man in the middle of the defensive line.

Case to let him walk: Age. Father Time’s got to catch up to him at some point, right?

Priority: Low

The Broncos will not sign Peko during the early part of free agency and will let him test the market. If Denver is unable to find his replacement, and Peko remains unsigned, the two could come back to each other down the road. But that would mean neither side found what they wanted in the offseason.

Zach Kerr

Reason to re-sign: Unlike Peko, Kerr’s career is trending up as the 28-year old was beginning to hit his stride last season.

Case to let him walk: There’s not a great reason to let Kerr walk unless the money just doesn’t add up or they find his replacement in a big way. Typically, however, reserve defensive tackles don’t have enormous markets.

Priority: Medium-high

At 334 pounds, players with Kerr’s size and athleticism don’t come around every day, especially at a reasonable price point.

The Broncos took a bit of a flier on him in 2016 and he panned out. It wouldn’t make sense to move on from him just as things are coming together for him unless he prices himself out of their market, especially after letting Peko walk.

Denver could, however, move on from him if they decide to invest in the rest of the defensive line.

Max Garcia

Reason to re-sign: The previous coaching regime loved Garcia, even after he was benched last offseason. The decision on whether or not to re-sign him is simple. Does Munchak believe he can turn him into a full-time starting guard? If so, sign him up.

Case to let him walk: If Munchak doesn’t believe he can turn Garcia into an adequate starter, it would make sense to focus their resources on turning Sam Jones and/or another young player into that without paying Garcia.

Priority: Medium-Low

This priority would rise substantially if they aren’t able to lock up Turner. But if they do keep Turner, and keep him at guard, it will make Garcia expendable.

Tramaine Brock

Reason to re-sign: For depth. Last year, Denver’s cornerback room was depleted due to injuries, including Brock. Re-signing the soon-to-be 31-year old would keep another veteran presence in the room, along with Harris Jr., to mentor the younger corners.

Case to let him walk: Brock dealt with injuries last year, and although he had moments where he performed, he’s not part of the long-term solution.

Priority: Low

Denver, specifically Vance Joseph, gave Brock another shot last year. But Denver isn’t looking for another one-year fix at corner. That’s all Brock could help with at this point in his career.

Other unrestricted free agents: Gino Gradkowski and Jamar Taylor.