Denver Broncos in line for high compensatory pick in 2018
Despite what many originally thought, the Denver Broncos could be in line for a high 2018 compensatory selection after some FA losses…
It’s never too early to be looking at the future. The Denver Broncos were expected to make a significant impact on the free agent market in 2017, and as the initial dust settles, their plan of attack was clearly more modest than originally anticipate.
John Elway’s biggest acquisition in terms of money was former Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Ronald Leary, who will make an average of $9 million per season in total money. Leary’s contract, however, isn’t preventing the Broncos from factoring into the compensatory draft pick formula.
OverTheCap.com, which regularly calculates potential compensatory draft picks, has initially projected the Broncos to receive a third round pick for the loss of Russell Okung.
Okung signed with the Los Angeles Chargers for an average of $13.25 million in total money, one of the biggest contracts given on this year’s free agent market. The Broncos decided not to keep Okung when they declined a team option that would have paid him around $12 million per year.
Over The Cap also calculates cancellations, and it looks like the signing of Leary is being offset by the Los Angeles Rams’ signing of cornerback Kayvon Webster.
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This is fantastic news for the Broncos, as most didn’t expect any compensatory picks in next year’s draft, much less a third round pick. The Broncos were royally screwed in 2017, when they should have received two third round picks, but the contract of Russell Okung actually (ironically) offset one of their most valuable selections.
Instead of ending up with two additional third round picks, the Broncos added just one, and three other day three picks (two seventh rounders).
If everything continues to hold up, Denver will have another very valuable asset in next year’s draft. The potential signing of Tony Romo wouldn’t factor into the formula, because Romo will have been cut by the Cowboys.
This year, the Broncos have 10 selections in the draft thanks to the inclusion of four compensatory picks.