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Broncos in-house players who could fill the team’s top needs

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Oakland Raiders makes a fourth quarter catch to convert on fourth down under coverage by Isaac Yiadom #26 of the Denver Broncos during a game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Oakland Raiders makes a fourth quarter catch to convert on fourth down under coverage by Isaac Yiadom #26 of the Denver Broncos during a game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Josey Jewell Broncos
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Isaac Yiadom #26 and Josey Jewell #47 of the Denver Broncos combine to stop Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Oakland Raiders short of the goal line after a second quarter catch at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Josey Jewell/Josh Watson, middle linebacker

The Broncos have some tough financial decisions to make in the coming months. One of those tough decisions is going to be deciding whether or not to pick up Todd Davis’ contract option.

If the Broncos don’t pick up the option, they save $5 million in cap space. If they pick it up, Davis will count $6 million against the cap this year. For a team with a ton of cap space, that doesn’t seem like a very big deal, but is Davis the best fit for this defense at middle linebacker?

Will upgrades be pursued?

I think Davis is a really solid if even underrated player, but there’s no question that he struggles in coverage and the Broncos need to find out how to get better there whether it’s through the draft or free agency.

In the meantime, the Broncos have to be willing to trust the young guys they have behind Davis in order to make that move.

Would they trust one of Josey Jewell or Josh Watson with a starting job if all else fails?

I would take that risk and save the money on Davis, betting I could find someone who could fit this defense perfectly through free agency or the draft.

Jewell had his job stolen by Alexander Johnson last year, but both he and Josh Watson became contributors on special teams and Watson, in particular, has fun athletic traits that lead you to believe if developed right, he might be able to be an every-down player for this team.

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