Denver Broncos should pay attention to cap casualties
The Denver Broncos do not have a ton of draft capital, so the team should turn a big focus on some potential cap casualties from other teams in 2023. Besides the projected free agents for 2023, there will be some other free agents, and some will potentially be big names.
A “cap casualty” is where a team cuts ties with, for the most part, a significant player due to their tight cap space. They cut the player because they’d provide much-needed cap relief. Many teams are currently over the 2023 cap number and will need to work to get under it.
Cutting veteran players to save even upwards of $10 million against the cap happens routinely among NFL teams. Since the Broncos do not have many draft picks to land premier prospects, and given their current situation, the team should pay attention to some cap casualties and jump on potential options.
Sportsnaut.com lists the 40 most likely salary cap casualties, and there are some noteworthy players that could become available.
Denver Broncos should pay attention to potential cap casualties
Michael Thomas, WR
Someone who could follow Sean Payton to Denver and someone who could fill a need for the Broncos. I understand he’s been hurt, but he thrived when on the field and could bring some elite production to the offense.
Adam Thielen, WR
Another wide receiver option for the Broncos, the Vikings might want to get younger at the position and bring in someone who is more dynamic. Thielen’s best days are behind him but he could slide into a very nice WR3 role behind Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton.
Carson Wentz, QB
I did recently write about Jameis Winston as being a perfect backup in Denver, but the Commanders are very likely going to release Carson Wentz, and I’d be interested to see what kind of quarterback he could turn into under Sean Payton.
This would also greatly raise the floor of the QB room.
Leonard Floyd, EDGE
A former running mate with Von Miller, the Denver Broncos nearly signed Floyd. Now, after three years as a Ram, the team is again in a tight space with their salary cap, and the veteran could be some potential cap relief for the 2021 Super Bowl champions.
The Broncos also need a boost along the EDGE, and a room with Randy Gregory, Baron Browning, and Floyd sounds nasty.
Donovan Smith, LT
The Buccaneers are in horrible shape with their salary cap, and with Tom Brady retiring, the Bucs may opt to go through a bit of a rebuild. The Denver Broncos could trade Garett Bolles and sign Donovan Smith if they wanted to free up some cap space themselves.