12 free-agent moves Broncos should plan for ahead of 2020

The Denver Broncos have set their 53-man roster and are now preparing for the season opener against the Oakland Raiders. But even though the first game hasn't been played, it doesn't hurt to keep on eye toward a game plan for the 2020 season.

While it's true that much of that depends on how things unfold in 2019, having a rough idea about moves you need to be prepared to make in 2020 allows you to keep the long-term picture. You just need to adjust that picture accordingly as the 2019 season takes shape.

I have a checklist of 12 moves to keep in mind for NFL free agency in 2020. The checklist is based on where things stand with the Broncos roster at this time.

That means that some of these things will change as we know more about the progress (or lack thereof) the Broncos make in 2019. Some moves that will seem obvious to make in 2020 at this time, may not be so obvious after games have been played.

There are a couple of minor moves and an 'if absolutely necessary' move that can be made, too, but my emphasis is on the 12 items that demand the most attention and will have the greatest impact on cap space and cash spending.

What I will do with this initial checklist is re-evaluate after every four games the Broncos play. Each game played gives us more information about what moves really need to be made.

This will give everyone an idea about how plans can change during the course of the season — and we'll find out by season's end what moves changed and what moves never did.

Let's examine the initial checklist as it applies to NFL free agency in 2020.

1. Extend DL Shelby Harris

It would be easy to say that the Broncos shouldn't wait to extend Harris and do it now. However, the Broncos are tight on cap space and there is no way to lower Harris' cap number through an extension. Any extension will actually raise his cap hit, because his agent will insist on additional cash paid out upon signing through a signing bonus.

But after the last regular-season game is played, any extension takes effect with 2020, meaning the Broncos can get started on finalizing a new deal for the defensive lineman.

The Broncos are free to exchange numbers in negotiations during the season to get an idea about where things stand. Then, once the season ends, they can be more aggressive in working towards a deal and keep Harris around for a few more years.

2. Extend S Justin Simmons

Some might wonder if it's possible for the Broncos to keep both Shelby Harris and Justin Simmons. The answer: Yes, it is.

The Broncos are projected to have $56.6M in cap space in 2020, based on an estimated base salary cap of $200M. The actual cap number may come in lower than that, but even if it goes up by $10M next year (the current base cap is $188.2M), that still leaves the Broncos with a lot of cap space.

As with Harris, any extension at this time for Simmons will raise his cap number, because he will get more cash through a signing bonus. But, as with Harris, the Broncos may extend Simmons after the last regular-season game is played and that extension will apply to 2020.

3. Allow McGovern, Janovich & Gotsis to test the market (possibly bring them back)

Connor McGovern doesn't look like the long-term solution at center yet. Andy Janovich plays a position at which you don't need to pay big money. Adam Gotsis isn't a pass-rushing threat and thus not somebody who should demand a big contract.

With all of three of these players, it makes the most sense to let them test free agency first. If they manage to land big contracts, wish them well and look elsewhere for replacements.

But if none of these players find a deal to their liking, and are willing to return to the Broncos on team-friendly deals, they could be brought back. The key words are 'team friendly', though, meaning they need to be low-cost, short-term deals in which the Broncos aren't tied to them for more than a season.

4. Expect all other unrestricted free agents to depart

It's easy to look at players such as Chris Harris, Jr, Derek Wolfe and Emmanuel Sanders and think about how they were valued members of the team that won Super Bowl 50. However, it's likely that all three will seek their fortunes elsewhere, whether it's the chance for that final big contract or the chance to play for a team closer to reaching the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, Will Parks could be thinking about the chance to start and believe he can get that opportunity elsewhere. And players such as Devontae Booker, Theo Riddick and Corey Nelson aren't priorities to retain.

So expect quite a few players to join other teams next season, as the Broncos turn the page to 2020.

5. Don't tender any restricted free agents

Per the information I have checked, the Broncos have four players on the current roster who are set to become restricted free agents in 2020: QB Brandon Allen, ILB Joseph Jones, DL Mike Purcell and OT Elijah Wilkinson.

The right-of-first-refusal tender was more than $2M this year and is almost certain to increase in 2020. None of these players are worth even that tender at this point, because they are all depth players.

That doesn't mean the Broncos can't bring any of them back — but it's better to sign them to one-year deals for less than the tender level.

6. Tender all exclusive rights free agents

Tendering exclusive rights free agents is almost always a no-brainer. They are kept on cheap one-year deals with no guaranteed money. They are the definition of no-risk, all-reward moves.

And the list of players who are set to be ERFAs include some notable names: DeVante Bausby, Trey Marshall, Tim Patrick and Diontae Spencer.

Pencil them down as players to keep for 2020, knowing they will provide solid depth.

7. Decline the team option on OG Ronald Leary's contract

Ronald Leary didn't play a single preseason game, though he is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener. But his future after 2019 remains in doubt.

While the Broncos are projected to have above $50M in cap space next season, extending Shelby Harris and Justin Simmons brings the cap space down. There would still be enough space to work with to add other players, though.

However, declining Leary's option would free $8.5M in cap space with just $875,000 in dead money. That would give the Broncos additional cap space and cash to work with to address other team needs.

8. Keep QB Joe Flacco

Drew Lock's thumb injury means that it remains to be seen if he'll get the chance to practice this season. Though he could be brought back later this season, the Broncos need to prepare as if he may miss the season.

So it makes sense to keep Joe Flacco for 2020 at this time. It's true his cap number goes up to $20.25M, but it's still manageable, especially when the Broncos are projected to have a lot of space to extend other players, add other free agents and get draft picks signed.

Keep in mind that Flacco's base salary isn't guaranteed and there's no roster bonuses due at any point, so the Broncos could cut him at any time they want with no penalty, should circumstances change.

9. Prioritize ILB in the first wave of free agency

Though the Broncos have some prospects at off-ball linebacker who show promise, none of them appear to be long-term solutions.

Therefore, the Broncos need to be more aggressive in addressing this position in free agency in 2020. Finding the right player who can fit Vic Fangio's scheme will be important.

This isn't a position in which the Broncos should just wait until the draft. They need to get one player who can provide immediate help.

10. Examine options at LT, interior OL & WR in the second wave of free agency

With extensions for Harris and Simmons, and money committed to an off-ball linebacker, the Broncos won't be able to make a lot of moves in the first wave of free agency.

But once the market settles down, the Broncos can look for value elsewhere. They'll need to do that on the interior offensive line, because the plan is to move on from Leary and may not include bringing back McGovern.

Finding a veteran left tackle would help, because that player could be an upgrade in Garett Bolles. And the Broncos might want to consider a wide receiver with speed — but they need to be careful not to over-spend there.

11. Decline the fifth-year option for LT Garett Bolles

The hope was that Garett Bolles would show some progress during the preseason. Early returns, however, haven't been promising.

The way things are trending with Bolles, there's no point to exercising the fifth-year option on his first-round draft pick contract.

You don't want to cut Bolles right away, though, because that would result in a $3.5M dead money charge from the final year of his rookie deal. Also, you want to at least have him in place until you know what happens in free agency and the draft. After those take place, you'll have a better idea about what to do with Bolles.

12. Be prepared to cut TE Jeff Heuerman

The moves I would propose should be accomplished without having to move on from any other players under contract for 2020.

However, on the chance that the Broncos need a little more wiggle room under the cap, they could cut Jeff Heuerman to save an additional $4M in cap space. His base salary isn't guaranteed and his roster bonus is per-game, meaning none of it is paid until the regular season starts.

The Broncos have several young tight ends either on the roster who should provide enough, plus some on injured reserve who could be solid depth once they are healthy.

Minor moves: Long snapper Casey Kreiter will be an unrestricted free agent, but any extension for him would be cheap, or the Broncos could look elsewhere. And defensive lineman Billy Winn is on a two-year deal for the veteran minimum each year -- though he's likely to be cut after spending this year on injured reserve, the cap savings is a mere $820,000.

If absolutely necessary: ILB Todd Davis will be due $5M in base salary, but that isn't guaranteed. Though it's possible to keep him around without having to sacrifice at other positions of need, the Broncos could cut him for $5M in cap savings if they do a good job addressing off-ball linebacker and are in a position in which they must have that cap space.

Follow Bob on Twitter @BobMorrisSports and @MileHighHuddle.

Add us as a preferred source on Google