Ask Aric: The unexpected ways that Ja'Wuan James' opt-out impacts the Broncos

[Miles]

Hi Aric! With Ja'Wuan James' opt-out the Broncos have some spare cap room. Do you think Logan Ryan is an option on a short-term contract? - Jan B


Jan, the Broncos do get a fair amount of cap relief after James opted out of the 2020 season, but his contract tolls to next year. As you allude to in your question, that likely means the Broncos would be limited to signing a free agent to a short-term deal. According to Spotrac.com, the Broncos have the fourth-most cap space remaining for the 2020 season with north of $28 million available to spend. Presumably, that would make Ryan an option if the Broncos want to sign a veteran at the cornerback position. At this point in time, though, I would think the Broncos would spend at least the first week or so of training camp — perhaps longer — to see what they have at the cornerback position. If De'Vante Bausby or Isaac Yiadom or Michael Ojemudia prove to be sufficient, then maybe the Broncos decide against signing a big-name player. Unexpected situations — injuries or, in this case, James' opt-out — means the Broncos will have to use some of that cap space to sign players throughout the year. Given the uncertain future of the salary cap, though, perhaps the Broncos would be wise to roll over as much of the current cap space as possible.


Aric, can we expect a TE or back helping our RT leaving Bolles in more one on one situations this coming season? - William K.


William, that's always an option, but of course it limits what you're able to do in the passing game. If you keep seven men in to protect — including a running back and a tight end — you only have three players left to run routes. Luckily for the Broncos, those three players could be Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler (or Noah Fant if they're in a two-tight-end set), so Lock should still have options. There are times, though, when the tackles must survive on an island to give Lock more options. The good news for Denver is that Lock handled pressure quite well during his five starts. He was sacked just once per game, which would have led the NFL over the course of the season.


Will Phillip Lindsay keep his #1 RB spot ahead of Melvin Gordon? I think an [angry] Lindsay who has worked on his receiving abilities will give the Broncos the best option for the season? What do you think? - Adam E.


Adam, I'm excited for full-speed training camp practices to begin so that I can see how Lindsay responds on the field. He's clearly motivated, and we'll see if he's taken a step in the receiving game after Shurmur noted in January how much of an emphasis that would be for running backs. I don't mean to hedge here, but I truly believe the Broncos need both Lindsay and Gordon for their backfield to play at a high level. Each player does certain things the other one doesn't. Gordon brings the Broncos a physical back that can break tackles and is powerful inside the red zone. Lindsay, meanwhile, has game-changing speed and can squeeze through a small hole in the line of scrimmage to turn a 5-yard gain into a 50-yard score. The player that's on the field for the first offensive snap against the Titans could be very dependent upon the scenario and the personnel group. I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a clear-cut starter for a few weeks.