Broncos will pick up Brandon McManus, Todd Davis options

Broncos GM John Elway confirmed that the team will pick up the options for ILB Todd Davis and K Brandon McManus.

Tuesday came with good news for Broncos linebacker Todd Davis and kicker Brandon McManus. General Manager John Elway confirmed that the team is going to pick up the 2020 contract options for both players. 

Elway also said that they will be declining the option for guard Ronald Leary.

I recently wrote that the team should bring Davis back. He has recorded 248 total tackles in the last two seasons combined and has proven that he is a great fit for Vic Fangio’s defense.

The decision to pick up Davis’ option also makes it seem as if inside linebacker may be less of a priority in the draft and free agency, though the team could still look for depth and upgrades at the position.

This move could also diminish the possibility that the team would go out and spend big dollars on a proven free agent inside linebacker, if that’s what they would have done.

Kicker Brandon McManus has made 141-of-173 field goals during his career. Since arriving to the Broncos via a trade with the New York Giants in 2014, McManus’ best year kicking field goals came in 2015, when he made 85.7 percent of his kicks.

He has had three seasons of 85 percent or better accuracy (85.3, 85.3, 85.7 to be exact). His worst season came in 2017 when he missed eight field goals.

There are still some questions about the team’s special teams, however, as punter Colby Wadman has not exactly worked out for Denver. I expect them to address the position sometime in the next few months.

The Broncos still need to make some decisions about their free agents. Their biggest priority is going to be safety Justin Simmons. Simmons said that he expects the Broncos to use their franchise tag on him.