Denver Broncos: 5 players who could surprisingly be cut

3. One of Bobby Massie or Cameron Fleming, RT

Ultimately, the financial ramifications of the Denver Broncos letting go of one of their two recent right tackle acquisitions alone are enough to make the potential of this move a surprise.

Counting a combined $3.925 million against the 2021 salary cap, offensive tackles Bobby Massie and Cameron Fleming give the Denver Broncos some nice and necessary starting experience after the loss of Ja’Wuan James.

Still, only one of Massie and Fleming can start at the right tackle position. If you buy what Vic Fangio has been putting down, it’s possible that neither guy would be the starter as of the season opener. That role could go to young Calvin Anderson or Quinn Bailey, two players who are being given legitimate shots to win the right tackle job with James now officially gone.

Again, given the price of both Massie and Fleming, even combined at under $4 million, it would be a shock to see the Denver Broncos cut either one.

The issue with Massie the last couple of seasons has been health, which might be a legitimate reason for the Denver Broncos to try and avoid paying him money not to play. That happened last year with Mark Barron and probably didn’t leave the most pleasant taste in everyone’s mouths.

Without the benefit of seeing all of these guys on the field to play and how steady these veterans are, it’s impossible right now to say that one or the other would be favored to be cut.

The Broncos paid a pretty small price all things considered for what should, at worst, be league-average play at right tackle. Right now it makes too much sense to keep the depth with this price, but if one of Calvin Anderson or Quinn Bailey (or both) emerges at training camp and through the preseason, this is not impossible.