Denver Broncos: Grading every offseason acquisition so far

Exclusive Rights/Restricted free agents

Exclusive rights free agents

Exclusive rights free agents are players whose contracts have expired with less than three accrued NFL seasons (6 games or more). The Broncos can place ‘tenders’ on these players, or one-year contract offers for each player to return at a pre-determined price. These players will become restricted free agents in the 2021 offseason.

Tim Patrick, WR

The Broncos placed a tender on wide receiver Tim Patrick, who has shown some exciting big play ability over the last two seasons but has also struggled with injuries since his college days at Utah.

He is a big-bodied receiver who also excels on special teams.

Shakial Taylor, CB

The Broncos added Shakial Taylor during the 2019 season, and he’s got potential worth looking into. The former Kansas Jayhawks star has outstanding speed and athleticism and could be a darkhorse to factor into the team’s 2020 plans.

Jake Rodgers, OT

Jake Rodgers was pressed into regular season action last season and did an okay job. He has swing tackle potential and is obviously a favorite of offensive line coach Mike Munchak, who has now had him in both Denver and Pittsburgh.

Diontae Spencer, WR/RS

Diontae Spencer became the Broncos’ primary punt and kickoff returner last season in addition to playing a handful of snaps on offense.

If he is going to make the team in 2020, he will need to prove he can be an asset offensively as well as on special teams.

Trey Marshall, S

The Broncos like Trey Marshall, who got an opportunity down the stretch in the 2019 season and played pretty well.

He played in all 16 games with two starts after Kareem Jackson was suspended, and he’ll be expected to improve and contribute again in 2020.

Restricted free agents

Restricted free agents are players whose contracts have expired after less than four years accrued in the NFL.

The Broncos placed tenders on a couple of players.

Mike Purcell, DL

Purcell became the Broncos’ starting nose tackle last year after four games of struggling against the run.

Upon his insertion into the lineup, the defense was substantially better. There were other factors, but Purcell received a second-round tender for a reason. The Broncos don’t want to lose him.

Elijah Wilkinson, OL

The Broncos have needed Elijah Wilkinson to start at both right tackle and right guard over the last two seasons, and they’ve gotten mixed results.

Although the team is planning on Ja’Wuan James and Graham Glasgow on the right side of the offensive line, Wilkinson is a capable swing tackle and valuable backup at guard.

Collective grade: B+

The Broncos decided to non-tender a couple of players that we’ll talk about in a bit, but ultimately, they made the right decision bringing these players back for the price of the contracts.

The ERFA tenders are under $700,000 and the RFA tenders handed out to Purcell and Wilkinson will be just over $3 million apiece.

These players will all provide the Broncos with solid depth and competition this offseason.