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Denver Broncos: 5 free agents who won’t be with the team in 2021

By Sayre Bedinger

Jeremiah Attaochu, Denver Broncos Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremiah Attaochu, Denver Broncos Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos, Shelby Harris
Nov 17, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Shelby Harris (96) celebrates after forcing a fumble against Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) (not pictured) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports /

Shelby Harris, DL

This one hurts.

I will preface this by saying I also thought there was roughly a 0 percent chance that Shelby would return to the Broncos for 2020, but here we are.

Harris has become a fan favorite in Denver and is one of the best defensive linemen on the team. The Broncos could bring him back for 2021 and beyond, but there are a few reasons they might not.

First of all, the Broncos already have Jurrell Casey, Mike Purcell, Dre’Mont Jones, and McTelvin Agim under contract. They obviously hope that Agim can develop as a third-round pick, and both Purcell and Casey — while on IR this season — are veteran players who are quality starters when healthy.

If the Broncos were to pay Harris on a multi-year deal, which he is worth, they would have a lot of guaranteed cash tied up in multiple defensive linemen who are 30 or older, which is not an ideal spot to be in.

It’s also possible that keeping Harris would prevent the Broncos from keeping other younger core players on the roster.

Unless they can get him at an outstanding discount like they did in 2020, I think Harris is going to finally get a 3-4 year deal from another team with the guaranteed cash and long-term security he deserves.

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