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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: Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos pushes off a tackle from Quincy Wilson #31 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: Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos pushes off a tackle from Quincy Wilson #31 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) /

Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver

2018 cap hit: $12,033,333
2018 dead cap hit (if released between 2/10 and 3/18): $4,400,000
Cap savings: $7,633,333

The Denver Broncos could save quite a bit of money by releasing Thomas sometime after February 10th between then and the start of the new league year, but releasing a living Broncos legend might not be the wisest choice.

The other thing the Broncos can do is push Thomas’ cap hit ahead a little bit to free up some space this year, and that can help save them nearly $4 million.

Obviously they can save twice as much by cutting him, but if you cut Thomas, you’re asking for a lot of negative publicity and a bunch of angry fans.

Again, we’re looking at the possibilities, not necessarily the probabilities, although all of these options have to be on the table with the Broncos potentially going into rebuild mode.

I don’t view Thomas as likely to be released as Emmanuel Sanders.

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