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The Denver Broncos in years’ past have had to contend with some big free agent signings to keep their star players on the roster, but in 2018 they get a nice break from all of that.
As free agency approaches, attention will be paid more to the free agents around the league than the free agents here in Denver. However, there are a few guys worth looking at bringing back.
2018 Unrestricted Free Agents
- Allen Barbre - OG
- Jamaal Charles - RB
- Jared Crick - DE
- Todd Davis - ILB
- Virgil Green - TE
- Cody Latimer - WR
- Corey Nelson - ILB
- Brock Osweiler - QB
- Donald Stephenson - OT
- Billy Turner - OG
- Billy Winn - DE
The only player from this list that I would lobby hard for the Broncos to re-sign would be Cody Latimer. He appears to be a late bloomer in the NFL and looked like a legit wide receiver late this season. At 25, he is also entering his prime. He would be an excellent low-cost free agent that could pay off in a big way for Denver.
2018 Restricted Free Agents
- Shaquil Barrett - OLB
- Bennie Fowler - WR
- Matt Paradis - C
The Broncos need to put the highest tender possible on Shaquil Barrett and either reap the bounty of picks or get him locked up long-term. It appears they are more interested in Shane Ray than Barrett, however, so I am doubtful a long-term future exists in Denver for him. I’d let Bennie Fowler walk. He is older than Latimer and less athletic too. As for Matt Paradis, I would guess the Broncos delayed offering an extension to him until they saw how well his hips would hold up after surgery last offseason. He is probably overdue for a contract now.
2018 Exclusive Rights Free Agents
- Zaire Anderson - ILB
- Jerrol Garcia-Williams - ILB
- Shelby Harris - DE
- Joseph Jones - OLB
- Casey Kreiter - LS
- Kyle Peko - DE
- Jordan Taylor - WR
- Elijah Wilkinson - OT
Basically any player on this list will be with the Broncos if the Broncos want them. The EFRA tag gives all of the power over a player to the team. With the team thin at inside linebacker, we should expect one or both to be retained. Shelby Harris is the one player that shouldn’t be going anywhere either and Jordan Taylor looks like a good punt returner.