In recent years, the Broncos looked at the Giorgio Armani-caliber free agents to pluck off the likes of Peyton Manning, Wes Welker and DeMarcus Ware.
For the 2015 free-agent market, the soaring NFL economy and the Broncos’ limited budget may force the team to look at the J.C. Penney-type player.
Meaning no disrespect to the quality of merchandise at J.C. Penney.
NFL free agency is having a “soft opening” that began at 10 a.m. Saturday and will run until 1:59 p.m. Tuesday. Free-agent player reps can negotiate with teams during that period, but no contract agreement can be reached until the 2015 league season officially begins at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The Broncos did contact several agents Saturday, but it didn’t appear any substantive negotiations took place. The team is trying to re-sign Virgil Green, but so far the offer isn’t enough to prevent their “blocking” tight end from exploring the market.
The feeling from the agent community is this may be a rare year in the John Elway era when the Broncos spend the first or second day of free agency on the sideline. The money just isn’t there this time.
With roughly $19.5 million in salary cap space (for their top 51 roster players) and needs at eight positions, the Broncos’ biggest splash free-agent signing this week might be someone like tight end Owen Daniels. Providing they don’t get outbid for him.
“And that’s really what you want to do in free agency is try to stay out of the splash signings unless it’s a real obvious fit,” said Louis Riddick, a former NFL safety, scout and director of pro personnel who is now with ESPN. “Try to stay out of that first 24 to 48 hours, and then be selective. Do good deals for your football team. Do good deals for your locker room, because you’re trying to get the right guy and not saying the heck with culture, the heck with fit. You just want the guy who makes the big splash.
“Look, I’ve been involved in that numerous times. It’s just a recipe for disaster. So when I hear splash signings, and when I hear splash players as it relates to free agency, I throw my hands up and go, ‘Whoa.’ You can have it. I’ve been down that road.”
Forgive Riddick. He was in the Philadelphia Eagles’ front office in 2011 when a free-agent frenzy turned them into what quarterback Vince Young termed the “Dream Team.”
Instead, unmet expectations led to Philadelphia cleaning out its front office and coaching staff.
The Broncos have fared much better in free agency since Elway became head of football operations four years ago. But the early indication is the Broncos may not have the wherewithal to compete for the sexier free-agent players this year.
Even with Manning taking a $4 million pay cut last week, the Broncos have $49 million less cap space than the rival Oakland Raiders, and $45 million less than Jacksonville.
“To me it sounds like it was more of a cash-flow type of deal than it was to free up a bunch of cap space to target a specific player,” Riddick said about Manning’s trim from $19 million to $15 million in 2015 salary. “I don’t think it’s one of those deals where they’re targeting a certain guy. I think it’s getting their books in order so they can continue going about building their football team.”
Early indications are this free-agent market will soar. Three players re-signed with their teams Saturday after receiving enticing-enough offers to bypass the free market. Right offensive tackle Doug Free got a three-year deal worth $5 million per year from Dallas. Houston right tackle Derek Newton, who figured to generate interest from the Broncos and coach Gary Kubiak, received a five-year contract worth $5.3 million per year.
Houston also re-signed cornerback Kareem Jackson to a four-year contract worth $8.5 million a year.
None of these players was considered elite. But they’re getting Pro Bowl-caliber pay.
This could mean that instead of shopping for centers such as Rodney Hudson and Stefen Wisniewski, the Broncos may browse the next level for the likes of Samson Satele, Chris Myers or J.D. Walton.
At tight end, instead of re-signing their own Julius Thomas or pursuing Cleveland’s Jordan Cameron, the Broncos may consider Daniels a better value.
Mike Klis: mklis@denverpost.com or
