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Denver Broncos most likely cap casualties in 2018

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 11: Offensive tackle Menelik Watson #75 of the Denver Broncos is introduced to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 11, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 11: Offensive tackle Menelik Watson #75 of the Denver Broncos is introduced to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 11, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 14: Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos makes a catch defended by Kenny Moore #42 of the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 14, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 14: Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos makes a catch defended by Kenny Moore #42 of the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 14, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Emmanuel Sanders, Wide Receiver

2018 cap hit: $10,937,500
2018 dead money hit (if traded or released): $5,375,000
Cap savings: $5,562,500

If the Broncos were to try and sign Kirk Cousins, or really bring in any veteran quarterback in general, I think they might re-consider releasing or trading Emmanuel Sanders. They can free up enough space without letting go of Sanders to make the moves they want in free agency, but this move is possible, if not probable.

And I hate it.

Cutting Sanders with a dead money hit over $5 million is like you’re paying a decent starter caliber player. The Broncos are paying a number of key contributors less than $5 million, and they just gave Sanders that extension in 2016.

The better time to release Sanders would be after the third year of his deal (making 2018 his contract year) when they could save nearly $10 million and only have a $2.6 million dead money hit.

That makes way more sense to me, especially if you’re bringing in a new quarterback this year, but maybe the Broncos figure they will move on now and get a head start on it.

Who knows?

All I know is, the word on the street is that the Broncos are shopping Sanders, or they could release him.

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