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.
Emmanuel Sanders
In his first year with the Broncos, Emmanuel Sanders ranked fifth in the NFL in both catches and receiving yards with 101 and 1,404, respectively; he also had a career-high nine touchdowns. His stats last year were better than two receivers who each signed huge deals in the offseason, $70 million Dez Bryant and $65 million T.Y. Hilton. The franchise tag for wide receivers in 2015 was $12.8 million per season. Sanders is now in year two of a three-year $15 million deal.
Full Contract: $15 million
Average Annual Salary: $5 million
2015 WR Franchise Tag: $12.8 million
Average Annual Salary Rank Among WR: (t)28th
PFF 2014 Rank Among WR: 8th
Chris Harris Jr.
After going undrafted, making an NFL roster and evolving into a Pro-Bowl cornerback, Chris Harris Jr. was happy to sign a five-year $42.5 million deal to remain with the Broncos. That sounds like a hefty number, but he remains a bargain in NFL terms. Pro Football Focus ranked Harris the No. 1 cornerback in the league. Amazingly, the base salary for Harris in 2015 is only $900,000! On average, he will make roughly $8.5 million per year, which still ranks him (t)13th among cornerbacks. The franchise tag value for his position is $13.05 million.
Full Contract: $42.5 million
Average Annual Salary: $8.5 million
2015 CB Franchise Tag: $13.05 million
Average Annual Salary Rank Among CB: (t)13th
PFF 2014 Rank Among CB: 1st
C.J. Anderson
C.J. Anderson will soon get his payday if his trajectory continues to incline. Having Gary Kubiak as his head coach will only help that. In Kubiak’s last five seasons, his No. 1 running back has been in the top 10 of NFL rushing yards four times. On an undrafted player contract, Anderson will make $585,000 in 2015 while also receiving a bonus of just $4,167. The franchise value for running backs is $10.93 million, more than 19 times more money than Anderson will make in 2015. As the NFL’s No. 3 back according to Pro Football Focus, he’s the steal of the bunch. (Editors note: Sadly, he hasn’t been playing like it so far in 2015.)
Full Contract: $1.5 million
Average Annual Salary: $499, 167
2015 RB Franchise Tag: $10.93 million
Average Annual Salary Rank Among RB: 121st
PFF 2014 Rank Among RB: 3rd
Brandon McManus
Like it or not, kickers are an important part of any successful NFL team. Over the last five seasons, the kicker has led the Broncos is points per game. Even removing Connor Barth’s 12 points per game in his limited time last season, Bronco kickers have averaged 7.35 points per game since 2010. That’s over a touchdown per game! McManus is only slated to bring home $510,000 in 2015, while the franchise amount for kickers is $4.12 million.
Full Contract: $930,000
Average Annual Salary: $465,000
2015 K Franchise Tag: $4.12 million
Average Annual Salary Rank Among K: 34th
PFF 2014 Rank Among K: 6th
Brandon Marshall
Similar to C.J. Anderson, Brandon Marshall has set himself up to collect a nice check in the very near future. It only took Marshall 14 games in 2014 to lead the Broncos in tackles (113). That total was also good for 18th in the NFL. Marshall is a former fifth round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars who struggled in the sunshine state before joining Denver in 2013. Prior to 2014, Marshall had recorded only four total tackles for his career. Linebackers are the second highest-paid position on the defense, with a franchise tag value of $13.17 million. For his services in 2015, the Broncos will pay Marshall $585,000.
Full Contract: $585,000
Average Annual Salary: $585,000
2015 LB Franchise Tag: $13.17 million
Average Annual Salary Rank Among ILB: (t)81st
PFF 2014 Rank Among ILB: 37th