Did A.J. Bouye live up to expectations his first year with the Broncos?

Two weeks before free agency began in 2019, John Elway appeared to steal cornerback A.J. Bouye from the Jacksonville Jaguars for merely a fourth-round pick.

With a large $10 million cap hit, Bouye was instantly expected to be Denver’s shutdown cornerback in Vic Fangio’s defense.

Was the veteran corner able to live up to the high expectations his first year in Denver?

Expectations entering the season: Shutdown No. 1 outside cornerback; 3 interceptions; 11 passes defended; 50 tackles

Actual output in 2020: 0 interceptions; 6 passes defended; 23 tackles; 7 games played

Did he live up to expectations? No

Bouye’s first year in Denver certainly did not go as planned. It went astray in his very first game in Orange & Blue when he suffered a dislocated shoulder that kept him out the next four games.

After returning in Week 7, just as Bouye started to get his feet back under him and get comfortable in his new defense, he was knocked out midway through Week 8’s game with a concussion that sidelined him the following week as well.

“He did have a choppy season,” Vic Fangio said in December. “I think the injuries played a part in it. I think he got hurt in the first half of the first game, then missed five or six games, came back, got hurt during that game, missed the following game.”

It wasn’t until Week 11 when Bouye played two consecutive full games with the Broncos. At that time, Bouye’s impressive potential started to be displayed on the field. But, of course, that was derailed and his season came to an end when he was suspended six games for violating the NFL’s performing-enhancing drug policy.

“These last couple games he was starting to play better,” Fangio stated in December. “It was a rough season for him with the injuries interrupting his availability and play, and now having to deal with the PED suspension.”

Bouye ended up missing over half of the season due to his suspension and multiple injuries.

Up until the end of the season, it was clear Bouye was still learning the details of the defense as quarterbacks weren’t afraid to throw his way. However, he began to show his potential as he had four passes defended in his final three games.

Availability, not necessarily ability, derailed Bouye’s first year in Denver. Unfortunately, that won’t change to start next season as Bouye’s suspension will sideline him for the first two games of 2021.

But it’s not even a guarantee he will be back with the Broncos for the final year of his contract. Bouye has an $11.689 million cap hit in 2021 without a single dollar in dead money, meaning Denver could move on from him without it costing the team any money against the salary cap. Denver and Bouye could also restructure his contract to lower his cap figure and keep him on the team.

After a disappointing first year in Denver, Bouye’s future with the team is certainly in doubt.