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The Denver Broncos took steps to retain Chris Harris Jr., Duke Ihenacho and Tony Carter ahead of the start of free agency on Tuesday. Harris, a restricted free agent, was tendered at the second round level while Carter and Ihenacho were also tendered at lower levels.
RT @TomPelissero: #Broncos have tendered CB Chris Harris at the second-round level ($2.187M). He'll be coming off a knee injury.
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) March 7, 2014
That tender means that another team could offer a Harris a contract. If the Broncos were to decline to match the offer, that team would have to give the Broncos a second round pick for the rights to Harris.
It shouldn't come as a surprise either. Scotty Payne predicted this:
I believe the Broncos will slap Chris Harris with a 1st or 2nd round tender this offseason. He will back with the Broncos no matter what as they will match any offers sent Harris's way.
Also tendered by #Broncos: CB Tony Carter ($730K) and S Duke Ihenacho ($570K).
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 7, 2014
Unlike the tender for Harris, the Broncos would not receive any compensation for Carter or Ihenacho if another team were to make them a matching offer.
The three defensive backs reinforce a depth chart that is appearing a bit thin with it looking like the team will allow unrestricted free agents Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Mike Adams to test free agency.
A total of five Broncos received tenders from the team this afternoon.
The deadline for teams to tender their restricted free agents is March 11th at 4:00 PM ET.