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

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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 25: Jeff Heuerman #82 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Jeff Heuerman, Tight End

Age: 26

Jeff Heuerman has a lot going for him, but he also has a lot going against him. The Broncos have expressed some level of interest in bringing him back, but as always, it will come down to price.

Heuerman is young but has missed 27 games in his four NFL seasons, including his entire rookie season in 2015.

With that being said, Heuerman looked the best he has as a pro this past year, and the current alternatives in free agency aren’t great.

It’s hard to determine what Heuerman will get on the open market because there is a huge difference between the stars at this position in the NFL right now (12 players making $7 million or more per year) and the backup types. There are only 24 NFL tight ends averaging $3 million or more on their current contracts.

Heuerman should get a one-year, incentive driven contract and see what happens next offseason.

Projected value: $3.5-4.5 million/year, 1 year deal

Max Garcia, Guard

Age: 27

Garcia played some center in college but has proven in four NFL seasons that his greatest strength is playing left guard.

After starting pretty much every game in each of his first three seasons (split reps with Evan Mathis in 2015), Garcia was pushed to a backup role in 2018 and ended up starting in relief of the injured Ron Leary.

Some team may view Garcia as a sixth-man on the offensive line, and he will have suitors in free agency if he doesn’t stick around in Denver.

Projected value: $2-3 million/year, 2-year deal

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