Denver Broncos: Projecting market value of in-house free agents

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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: The Denver Broncos offenses huddles as center Matt Paradis #61 looks on and linebacker Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs waits for the play in the second quarter during a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Matt Paradis, Center

Age: 29 (30 in October)

2019 is Matt Paradis’ year to cash in big time.

Paradis is 29 going on 30 (I can relate) and has gone from practice squad center to one of the best in the league at his position.

Guys are re-setting this market every year, whether it’s Maurkice Pouncey in Pittsburgh, Rodney Hudson with Oakland, Alex Mack in Atlanta, Justin Britt in Seattle, Travis Frederick in Dallas, Weston Richburg in San Francisco, Brandon Linder in Jacksonville, or Ryan Jensen in Tampa Bay.

The center market is re-set with every guy who is coming along over the past few years, and to think Paradis isn’t going to shoot for that is wishful thinking at best.

Especially considering this will be his first and likely only big contract as an NFL player, Paradis will — and should — cash in.

Now, interestingly, the Buccaneers did a deal last offseason with Ryan Jensen for four years, $42 million, making him the highest paid NFL center on paper. However, they have an out in his contract after two years, where his money is no longer guaranteed. So, essentially, they signed him to a two-year contract for $22 million.

Is something like that do-able for Paradis? How much more will he require in guarantees?

Those are all important questions for the Broncos, who can afford to bring Paradis back, but at that cost? I’d say it’s about a 50-50 shot he returns to Denver right now.

Projected max value: $10.5-11.5 million/year, 4-5 year deal

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