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Denver Broncos: Three veterans who could be gone in 2019

By Andrew Wade

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos stands on the field as he warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos stands on the field as he warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 08: Wide receiver Ted Ginn #19 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball on a reverse for a 20-yard gain in the first quarter against inside linebacker Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 8, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 08: Wide receiver Ted Ginn #19 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball on a reverse for a 20-yard gain in the first quarter against inside linebacker Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 8, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall was a key contributor on Denver’s 2015 title-winning run, but since signing his big money contract a year after the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50, he hasn’t been the same.

Some of this is due to injures, but much of it has just been general ineffectiveness. His contract that he signed in 2016 is worth $32 million over four years with $15 million guaranteed. That type of money makes Marshall the third highest paid inside linebacker in the NFL.

Unfortunately, Marshall is arguably just the third best inside linebacker on his own team, and is now starting to come off the bench with Josey Jewell taking his spot in the starting lineup.

Furthermore, according to Pro Football Focus, Marshall has a season grade of 58.2 in 192 snaps, which places him 49th out of 81 qualifying linebackers (inside and out).

While Brandon Marshall is a fantastic person off the field and in the community, I have a feeling John Elway and company will not want to pay a 30-year-old backup inside linebacker $9 million in 2019. The dead money if released before June 1st is $4 million, but Broncos brass showed a willingness to accept dead money in unique situations like Menelik Watson’s.

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