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Denver Broncos: 2019 free agents and their odds of returning

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos dives to tackle wide receiver Jordy Nelson #82 of the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos dives to tackle wide receiver Jordy Nelson #82 of the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs is hit by defensive back Bradley Roby #29 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs is hit by defensive back Bradley Roby #29 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Unrestricted free agents (part two)

Bradley Roby, CB (27)

The Broncos drafted Roby in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Though John Elway’s drafting has been criticized heavily, Roby has been a solid pick.

But is he worth a long-term investment? He’s spoken out about wanting to be back in Denver, but the price tag has to match the level of risk involved here. Roby is not a big-money cornerback right now for Denver and he might scan the market to see what’s out there.

If he could return to Denver on a 2-3 year deal worth somewhere around $22-24 million, that would be a good deal for everyone involved.

Shaquil Barrett, OLB (26)

Shaquil Barrett has been with the Broncos since 2014, and he’s only 26 years old. The team has gotten a lot out of him as a rotational player defensively, spot starter, and special teams ace.

Unfortunately, he is not likely to return to the Broncos. He wants to be a starter and that isn’t happening in Denver.

He should be a highly coveted player on the open market, and I expect him to get pretty good money.

Matt Paradis, C (29)

Paradis — like Roby and Barrett — came to the Broncos in 2014. In 2015, he began establishing himself as one of the best centers in football. His 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons only fortified that.

Not only is he one of the best, but he’s also one of the toughest. But as tough as Paradis is, no one can play through a fractured fibula.

Paradis’ double hip surgery leading into 2017 and recent fibula injury combined with the fact that he’s 29 this year do not bode well for him, but his reputation as one of the best centers in football will get him a nice contract. The Broncos may not be the team to give it to him.

The going rate for great centers is between $9-11 million annually. That may be out of Denver’s price range.

With that said, the Broncos have some great people working on their cap and if they can fit Paradis in, they should.

Shane Ray, OLB (26)

Shane Ray was the Broncos’ first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He would not be a free agent this offseason but the Broncos declined his fifth-year option.

The writing has been on the wall for a while for Ray, but his underwhelming play the past two seasons solidifies the fact that he will not be in Denver in 2019 and beyond. He will get a chance to re-write his story with another franchise, in all likelihood.

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