4. Sam Martin, P
The Denver Broncos brought in free agent punter Sam Martin last offseason and he was expected to solidify a position that was seemingly constantly in flux and inconsistent.
Martin at least stabilized the punting game for the Broncos, even if blocks (or near blocks) were a serious issue.
Martin was paid pretty handsomely for a punter last offseason, and he’s currently slated to count just under $3 million against the Denver Broncos’ 2021 salary cap. None of that money is guaranteed, however, so the Broncos could let Martin go and save $2.3 million.
Why would they do that when they know they have average or possibly above average punting guaranteed in Martin?
Well, the team brought in Max Duffy, one of the top-rated punters in the 2021 NFL Draft class and a guy who can really boom it.
It would not be surprising in the least if Duffy came in and played well, but it might surprise a lot of people if the Denver Broncos decide after one season to move on from Sam Martin.
There’s obviously a reason that Duffy was brought in and neither Brandon McManus nor Jacob Bobenmoyer is facing any offseason competition. The Broncos want a weapon in the punting game with as strong as their defense has the potential to be, and Duffy could really be a game-changer there as he was for Kentucky.