This story originally appeared in Mile High Sports Magazine. View the full digital edition.
Trying to build a championship NFL roster is like putting together a puzzle made of 53 very different-sized pieces. As fans, it is easy for us to want our team to go out and sign the best possible players, the biggest pieces. However, with the confines of a salary cap, it is critical to have a mix of players whose on-field value exceeds the final number on their contract. That’s not necessarily an easy task, but John Elway has done well in this department. Here’s a look at some of his “best bargains.”
It’s a delicate mix of timing and talent, but considering these five players, Elway seems to have a knack for obtaining important pieces at below market value, as well as inking low-risk athletes who blossom under a favorable financial agreement. A Super Bowl champion always seems to have a healthy dose of these types of players.
