Examining the Broncos’ impending restricted free agents

Much like spring, free agency — and thus the start of the new NFL league year — is right around the corner.

But before John Elway dives into signing free agents on Mar. 13, he needs to figure out what to do with his own players, specifically his restricted free agents.

Unlike an unrestricted free agent (UFA), restricted free agents (RFA) are, well, more restricted on the open market by the team they played for the previous season. For a player to be an RFA, he needs to have three years of accrued service time in the league as defined by being on the team for six or more games.

Before free agency begins on Mar. 13, the Denver Broncos must designate each of their five RFAs with one of the three tender options: First round, second round or original-round tender.

In all three of these tenders, the Broncos will have the opportunity to match any contract that another team gives to any of their RFAs during free agency. Of course, Denver could choose not to designate a player, but then that player would become an unrestricted free agent.

However, with the first and second-round tenders, if Denver chooses not to match a deal that another team gives to one of their RFAs, then the Broncos would receive that team’s first or second round pick — depending on which tender Denver designated on that player before free agency started.

With the original-round tender — also referred to as “low-round” or “right of first refusal” — the Broncos would receive the draft pick of whatever round the player being discussed was drafted. If that player was undrafted, then the Broncos would not receive anything in return.

While the price of each tender has not been set for 2019 yet, it is expected to be a little more than what it was last season where a first-round tender cost $4.1 million, a second-round at $2.91 million and the original-round at $1.9 million.

If a team really wants to keep a player, they will, of course, place a first-round tender on them because it’s not likely another team is going to be willing to give up a first-round pick in order to sign that player away. The downside to placing a higher tender on a player is it costs more.

On the inverse, if a team places a lower tender on a player, it will cost them less, but there is a higher chance other teams will try and sign that player since it won’t cost them much, if anything at all, in terms of resources they will need to give up to acquire that player.

Following Super Bowl 50, the Broncos found this out the hard way with C.J. Anderson. After rushing for over 1,500 yards in 2014 and 2015 combined, the Broncos placed the lowest tender on him during the 2016 offseason.

Since other teams didn’t have to give up anything to get undrafted running back, the Miami Dolphins offered him a four-year, $18 million contract. In the last minute, Denver decided to match this offer, keeping Anderson in Denver but costing them much more than if they had placed a first or second-round tender on him.

Now, Elway will be faced with the same decision for all five of Denver’s RFAs. His decisions on what tenders to use need to be submitted before the start of the new league year on Mar. 13. Here’s how it breaks down for each player.

Shelby Harris

Elway struck gold when he signed the former Raider to a reserve/future’s contract two years ago. After nearly being cut that spring for his less-than-stellar play, according to Denver’s coaching staff, Harris blossomed into one of the team’s best defensive lineman.

While the 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman’s stats don’t jump off the table, many NFL teams would come running to sign him if Elway put an original-round tender on the former seventh-round pick.

That’s why the Broncos will need to place a second-round tender on him at the cost of nearly $3 million. If he plays like he did last year, he’ll be well worth the money.

Estimated tender: Second round — $2.91 million

Casey Kreiter

Who? That’s what many Broncos fans likely say under their breath after hearing the name of Denver’s long snapper. But that shows how good of a job Kreiter’s done during his time in Denver as he’s never made a mistake, and thus, never been mentioned.

However, even if the Broncos put the lowest tender on him at the price of over $1.9 million, he would nearly double the salary of the league’s next highest-paid long snapper, Rams’ Jake McQuaide, who is making only $1.175 million per year.

Denver will have to agree to a contract with Kreiter on the open market.

Estimated tender: None

Jordan Taylor

If the Broncos offered Taylor the lowest tender, he would instantly become the team’s second-highest paid receiver on the roster, even at the cheap — in NFL terms — price of $1.9 million.

However, that would be too steep a price to pay for Taylor, who missed all of last season recovering from double-hip surgery in the offseason. If the Broncos want to give Taylor another shot, they could negotiate with him in free agency and likely get him at half the cost.

Estimated tender: None

Kevin Hogan

Unless the Broncos loved what they saw from Hogan behind the scenes last year, a $2 million price tag would be unnecessary for the former fifth-round pick that was cut by Washington last year.

If, however, Hogan is their plan at backup quarterback behind Joe Flacco, they could place the original-round tender on him, nearly guaranteeing he would be back with the team.

Saying that, it’s widely believed Elway’s going to add another quarterback during the offseason, putting Hogan’s future, especially at around $2 million, in jeopardy.

Estimated tender: None

Deiontrez Mount

Entering last year, the Broncos were excited for what the 6-foot-5, 253-pound backer brought to the team. But Mount’s season ended before it could start after he tore his Achilles during spring drills.

With injuries hurting his career, the Broncos would be able to sign him for much cheaper than any of the tenders. Thus, it is highly unlikely Elway will place a tender on Mount.

Estimated tender: None