Denver Broncos: John Elway’s top 5 worst free agents or trades

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Offensive tackle Donald Stephenson #71 of the Denver Broncos attempt to block outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins as he sacks quarterback Brock Osweiler #17 in the second half at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Offensive tackle Donald Stephenson #71 of the Denver Broncos attempt to block outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins as he sacks quarterback Brock Osweiler #17 in the second half at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with Menelik Watson #75 after a third-quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with Menelik Watson #75 after a third-quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

2. Menelik Watson, 2017

Contract: Three years, $18.375 million

Given time, this move could bump up to Elway’s worst, as it was one of the most expensive and egregious errors in recent team history.

Watson was not a good player for the Oakland Raiders when healthy, which he rarely was, but for some reason, the Broncos felt it necessary to pay him more than the minimum wage at the tackle position.

As a matter of fact, Watson seemingly worked his way into an ironclad contract for at least two seasons with a hefty dead money number even into year three.

He’s got a great agent, apparently (Pat Dye Jr.).

In an injury-shortened 2017 season (go figure…), Watson played just 447 snaps and allowed a whopping nine sacks.

Yikes.

It was a horrendous start to his Broncos career, but the team seems to think he can contribute as a reserve or maybe even at guard, so for now he’s still number two.