The Denver Broncos are expected to be one of the more active teams in the league over the offseason to reshape their roster. Much of this will have the front office first going through on their docket making financial decisions with players that have pending contract situations concerning the 2018 campaign.
The team has already decided to keep aboard veteran wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas at least through next season. According to Mike Klis of 9news, the Broncos on Thursday morning have elected to exercise the $1.1 million option on former Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr. to retain him.
https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/971797822990405634
Harris Jr. has been a primary fixture on the Broncos defense through the seven years that has developed into one of the better players in the league at his position since joining the team back in 2011 as an undrafted rookie. Along the way, he has earned three Pro Bowl selections, a First-Team All-Pro nod, and a pair of Second-Team All-Pro selections. During that span, he recorded 413 total tackles, five forced fumbles, 74 pass deflection, and 16 interceptions.
The decision to keep him aboard on the roster does further signal that the team is looking to move on from Pro Bowl quarterback Aqib Talib, who on the books for $11 million in 2018 and $8 million in 2019. Once Talib is traded, Harris is in line to take over the top cornerback spot in the secondary with Bradley Roby taking over the second starting role. Denver is coming off another highly effective season defensively finishing third in the league overall and fourth against the pass.
The Broncos are projected to have just over $23 million salary cap space available, which should significantly increase if Talib is moved. The team is expected to be one of the serious suitors in the hunt for Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency. This could heighten their push to free up more salary cap space to help that effort.
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