Broncos lock in Case Keenum's best weapon for 2018

DT is returning to Denver in 2018.

The Broncos picked up a $4 million option on wide receiver Demaryius Thomas’ contract that will keep him in the Mile High City for the last two years of his contract, according to The Denver Post’s Nicki Jhabvala. The team could have saved nearly $8 million by letting Thomas walk, but chose to take on his $12 million cap hit. He’s due $17.5 million in 2019, the final year of his deal, but the Broncos can release him prior to the season with just a $2.2 million dead cap hit.

While John Elway repeatedly claimed this offseason that both of the Broncos’ starting wide receivers, Thomas and Sanders, would play for the Broncos in 2018, there was speculation that either of them could be a cap casualty as the team was clearing space to sign a big-ticket free agent quarterback. Sanders could still be cut or traded, and the Broncos would save a little over $5.5 million in cap space, though that seems unlikely.

Denver is likely still in the market for another target for their new starting quarterback Case Keenum. Running back Devontae Booker caught the third-most passes for the Broncos last season with 30 receptions for 275 yards. The wide receiver market has been hot so far in free agency. Paul Richardson, a University of Colorado alum, was a candidate to play in Denver before he signed a 5-year, $40 million deal with the Redskins.

Thomas had a down year in 2017. He only caught 81 passes for 949 yards, ending his streak of five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. His five-year Pro Bowl streak also ended. Thomas is the Broncos’ second all-time leading receiver, trailing Rod Smith by 2,700 yards. His 57 touchdown receptions also rank second in team history.