How Many Players Can the Denver Broncos Sign with $40 Million in Cap Space?

This question might seem straightforward, but the complexities of the NFL salary cap and player negotiations make the answer somewhat elusive.

Cap Space and High-Salary Players

Complexity of High-Salary Players

When the Denver Broncos have $40 million in cap space, the number of players they can sign is highly dependent on the specific players they decide to bring on board. For instance, if they were to sign Tony Romo to a two-year, $25 million deal, that would leave them with $28 million remaining. However, this could limit their ability to sign additional players. High-end free agents such as Tony Romo often demand substantial contracts, which can eat up a significant portion of the cap space quickly.

Furthermore, NFL players often demand increasingly higher salaries due to the influence of agency representation. This can further complicate negotiations and space management. An example of such negotiations is the Houston Texans' contract with Brock Osweiler, which was a $72 million, four-year deal. These high-end contracts ultimately reduce the number of players that can be signed on short-term deals, further limiting the available cap space.

Salaries of Top Players

It's important to note that teams generally have a few top-tier players who command very high salaries. These players, who often participate in the Pro Bowl, typically have similar contract values. The Broncos, for instance, have two such players: Demaryius Thomas and Von Miller, with cap hits of $15.2 million and $11.2 million respectively. Adjusting for these top-tier players, the average cap hit for the rest of the team is around $1.5 million per player.

Roster Rules and Preseason

The NFL roster size is fixed at 53 players for the regular season, with a maximum of 10 players on the practice squad. During the preseason, teams can have larger rosters, but by the time the regular season begins, all teams must conform to the 53-player limit.

There are some exceptions to this rule during the preseason. Teams can invite players for tryouts without fully committing to a contract. However, once these players are signed, they must be within the cap space and the 53-player limit.

Contract Structure and Negotiations

Contract Structure

Free agent contracts often come with backloaded structures, where the majority of the money is paid out in later years. This can significantly impact the number of players a team can sign within their cap space. Signing bonuses, dependent on player demand, are divided yearly, and there are also contractual bonuses for achievement and showing up for roster and workout. These bonuses can further limit the available cap space for additional players.

Draft Picks and Cap Impact

Draft Picks

Typically, a team's draft picks have a specific cap space allocation that is significantly lower than the salaries of veteran free agents. For instance, the highest cap hit for the Denver Broncos right now is Demaryius Thomas at $15.2 million, followed by Von Miller at $11.2 million. If the draft picks take up approximately $7 million of the cap space, the remaining $33 million would be available for free agent signings. However, given the high cost of top-tier free agents, this space would quickly diminish.

Positional Needs and Flexibility

Positional Needs

The cost of positions varies significantly. The most expensive position, by far, is the quarterback, often running $20 million per year or more. Given the current contract status of Trevor Siemian, the Broncos are likely to continue with him as their starter to save cap space.

The next most expensive positions are the left tackle, followed by the defensive line, and then the skill positions. Balancing these needs while adhering to the cap space is a delicate process. Signing a player for a high salary will necessarily mean dropping a player who would have been signed otherwise.

Conclusion

No matter the scenario, the Broncos will end up with a team size of 53 players by the start of the season. Therefore, while the exact number of players that can be signed is variable, it is constrained by both the cap space and the average contract values.

For specific needs and positions, such as quarterback, left tackle, and defensive line, the cost considerations and available cap space will dictate the number of players that can be signed. Careful negotiation and contract structuring will be essential to ensure the team remains within the cap space and has a strong roster for the season.

Key Points:

NFL rosters are 53 players with 10 player practice squad. Careful contract structuring is necessary to stay within cap space. Prioritizing high-value positions is key to maximizing available cap space. 7 draft picks typically take up a significant portion of the cap space. The Broncos will eventually reach the 53-player limit regardless of signings.