Denver Broncos 2020 free agents: Who stays and who goes?

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos Connor McGovern 2020 NFL Free Agency
ORCHARD PARK, NY – NOVEMBER 24: Connor McGovern #60 of the Denver Broncos waits to snap the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Denver 20 to 3. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Connor McGovern, Center (2020 age: 27)

The Broncos have a really tough decision to make with Connor McGovern coming up.

The going rate of top interior linemen these days is north of $10 million per year. Connor McGovern is set to hit the market as really one of the best young players coming free from their rookie contract.

It’s hard to say at this point whether he’s proven himself worthy of being a $10 million per year player, though. There are guys like Brandon Scherff scheduled to hit the market who have played at a Pro Bowl level, but McGovern has really just been a solid center and solid right guard.

If I’m the Broncos, I’m not paying McGovern anything above $8-9 million per season unless they can get him on low guarantees and get out of it relatively easily. Sometimes the supply and demand of NFL free agency is frustrating, and losing McGovern would be creating uncertainty on the interior offensive line again, but what do you do?

The Broncos have to make sure they pay the best players, and while McGovern has been really solid, it’s hard to say he’s been worthy of an eight figure contract to this point.

There are options on the free agent market and this is a deep draft class, though the Broncos don’t like to go into the draft with huge needs. They could try to sign a veteran player like BJ Finney to play center and project RFA Elijah Wilkinson at RG for the time being.

Unless McGovern’s price is reasonable enough, I don’t know if we see him back.

Verdict: Goes