Broncos could look at reclamation cap cuts to fill CB need

The Denver Broncos could look to some reclamation cap cuts at the cornerback position in the 2020 NFL free agency period. Who could be cut?

One aspect of free agency that hasn’t yet materialized is the period of cap casualties around the league. The Broncos have a number of players under consideration to be cap casualties, and every team around the league has guys who have not lived up to their contract and are costing the team too much in terms of cap commitment with little guaranteed money on their deals.

Because of the gap between guaranteed money and overall cap hit, we see big-name players getting cut almost every year.

Some are way beyond their prime while others are just really good values. DeMarcus Ware was a cap casualty of the Dallas Cowboys back in 2014 when the Broncos scooped him up in their ridiculous 2014 free agent class.

One position group that is extremely deep in free agency already is the cornerback position, and the Broncos, with Chris Harris Jr. among that free agent group, could be active in pursuit of help at this position on the free agent market.

But does the team need to go after the latest, greatest model? Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell put together one of the best defenses in football with former first-round pick and New York Giants castoff Prince Amukamara as well as former first-round pick Kyle Fuller, who had not lived up to his status as a first-rounder when the Bears nearly lost him to the Packers in free agency.

In Fangio’s defense, the defensive backs obviously have to be able to cover just like any other defense, but this defense is far more dependent on the pass rush getting home, forcing the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quickly so the defensive backs can react and make plays on the ball.

It’s one of the reasons why Fangio’s defenses have been among the league leaders in turnovers created a number of times over the last decade.

The Broncos need to add playmakers to the defensive backfield, and they’ve shown that they are willing to make these moves 3-4 years at a time.

There are multiple benefits to trying out reclamation projects in free agency.

First and foremost, you are taking mostly low risk, high reward options. Second, these signings do not count against your future compensatory draft pick formula.

The Broncos have a defense where defensive backs can be plugged in and excel. That has been proven over the years for Fangio and Donatell.

Which players are not yet on the free agent market but could be cap casualties worth keeping tabs on for Denver? Let’s take a look at a few.

Xavier Rhodes, Vikings

Just a couple of years ago, many felt like the former first-round pick out of Florida State was a contender for the title of best cornerback in the NFL.

This past year, the Broncos felt like they could exploit him with Brandon Allen at the QB position.

The Vikings could save $8.1 million by cutting Rhodes, and the Broncos could look to scoop him up. As with everyone on this list, there’s some risk involved with these players not coming off of their best years ever. What the Broncos would be doing is paying for a reclamation project, hopefully at a reduced rate.

Rhodes has the talent and pedigree to potentially vastly outplay whatever value he would get as a cap cut free agent.

Trumaine Johnson, Jets

This was actually suggested in an article on ESPN.com with a multitude of free agent options for teams. They suggested that the Giants sign Johnson for $4 million, assuming he would be cut by the Jets.

If Johnson’s price is $4 million, I want the Broncos in on that action.

This guy was one of the best playmakers at corner in the league just a couple of years ago.

Prince Amukamara, Bears

This one has already been suggested a number of times, but it would make some sense if the Broncos want to go with a cheaper route at cornerback.

Amukamara thrived in Fangio/Donatell’s defense with the Bears and with the Broncos potentially needing an outside corner, he would seemingly fit in perfectly.