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According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the Broncos have opened contract negotiations with the agents of wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, and tight end Julius Thomas. Both are set to be free agents at the end of the 2014 season.
Demaryius Thomas will be due a big time pay day in 2015 after two great seasons with Peyton Manning. In those two seasons with Manning, Thomas has totaled 186 receptions for 2,864 yards and 24 touchdowns. If Thomas repeats that success again in 2014, he may command 12 million or more dollars. Here's a look at the highest paid wide receivers in the NFL right now via Over The Cap. If the Broncos cannot get him signed long term before the end of the season I see them slapping him with the Franchise Tag.
Tight end Julius Thomas made him some big time money in 2013. Thomas had a breakout season in 2013 where he totaled 65 receptions for 788 yards, and 12 touchdowns. According to Klis, Thomas could ask for around 7 million annually. Here's a look at the highest paid tight ends in the NFL right now via Over The Cap. I think Julius Thomas could be slapped with the Franchise Tag in 2015. It will be interesting to see if Thomas does what New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham did. Graham argued that he should be tagged as a receiver instead of a tight end since he lined up as one more often.
It would be nice if the Broncos could lock up one or both Demaryius and Julius Thomas before Training Camp. After the 2014 season the Broncos will have some tough decisions to make about their 2015 free agents. Starters Terrance Knighton, Wes Welker, Orlando Franklin, Kevin Vickerson, Chris Harris Jr., Rahim Moore, and Nate Irving are all scheduled to hit Free Agency at seasons end.
If the Broncos can sign both Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas before training camp, it will put a big ol' cherry on top of the already great 2014 offseason.
Go Broncos!