The Denver Broncos don't have a lot of cap space left, but these possible cap-cut casualties could be a good fit.
The Denver Broncos still have $19 million in available cap space after making the trade for receiver Jaylen Waddle according to Luca Evans of the Denver Post, and Evans had some intriguing thoughts about some likely cap-casualty cuts from other teams who might fit Denver’s needs.
The available amount of cap space is surprising, so let’s start there. Waddle’s restructured deal will count for just $4.9 million against the cap, according to Evans, and if things don’t work out with this trade the Broncos can save $8.8 million in cap space if they cut him after June 1 next year. They’ll also get a cap bump of $8.2 million once the release of linebacker Dre Greenlaw is formalized on June 1 of this year.
TE Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
This add would be a genuine coup. Kmet’s usage in Chicago cratered when rookie Colston Loveland emerged as a possible rising star, and the Bears are up against it when it comes to their salary cap situation. The Broncos would have to offload tight end Evan Engram in a pre-June trade to make the numbers work, but Kmet could give Denver the kind of receiving production they couldn’t get from Engram.
DL Arik Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars
Armstead isn’t quite as good a fit, but he’s a possible replacement for John Franklin-Myers. They both have versatility across the line, and cutting Armstead would save over $14 million for the Jaguars. The Broncos seems content to move on from Franklin-Myers based on the fact that they simply couldn’t pay anyone, and they’re reportedly focused more on their situation at inside linebacker.
LB Christian Ellis, New England Patriots
This one’s been mentioned a lot, especially given that Jonah Elliss also plays for the Broncos. Christian Elliss emerged as a starter in New England last year, but he’d replace linebacker Dre Greenlaw and give the Broncos extra depth.
TE Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have been innovating offensively with a lot of “heavy” three tight-end sets, but they can’t keep all of them, and the Rams may need to save $7 million by cutting him before June 1. He’d duplicate some of what Denver’s signed backup already do, though, so that’s the counter argument to this move.
RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
Yeah, this is the narrative that won’t die. It seems somewhere between unlikely and impossible, but you never know with the Jets, and the Broncos are probably looking for a bigger back to balance their current roster.