Brick, Mortar, Scrap Part 6: LBs

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SCRAP

Player: Danny Trevathan

Explanation: This departure will suck. There’s no doubt about that. Unfortunately, that’s just the life of being

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi /

a good team in the NFL. When your team has a plethora of talent (especially one with a championship resume), it’s inevitable that the other teams will scour the free agent market, eager to pluck those free agents from the defending champions.

As good of a player as Trevathan has been with the Broncos, it’s just not enough to justify paying what will likely be his value on the open market. Another thing to keep in mind is Trevathan’s health. Despite playing with little to no ailments in 2015, he missed much of the 2014 season with a fractured knee cap. Even though he was able to rebound, it is one thing to consider when giving someone a second contract.

Ultimately, I think that the Broncos have too many other needs and there will be more than enough suitors in the open market for Denver to retain Trevathan’s services. I thank him for the four years he gave to the Broncos and wish him the best moving forward (unless it’s in Oakland).

Player: Lerentee McCray

Explanation: The third year ‘backer was a complete after thought in 2015, buried on the depth chart

Nov 15, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Lerentee McCray (55) during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

behind two All pros, a 1st round pick and a surging 2nd year player. McCray is a restricted free agent, so there’s a good chance he returns in 2016, but it will be a matter of price. As a restricted free agent, the only way you can hit the open market is if your current team declines to give you a tender.

In the case of McCray, I can see the Broncos trying to re-sign him on a different deal rather than using a more expensive one year tender to retain his services. At that point, though, it would be tempting for McCray to see what else is out there.

Despite the limited play in his three NFL seasons, he does have enough upside and connections to other coaching staffs that would give him a better chance to compete for a bigger role than he would have in Denver.

Unless Ware doesn’t come back and the Broncos feel that they need to keep all of their depth at the position, I can see McCray not receiving a tender from the Broncos and moving on to another team in free agency.

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