According to the Denver Post’s Mike Klis, the Broncos will use the non-exclusive franchise tag on star receiver Demaryius Thomas.
The move comes as no surprise, considering it was the team’s only surefire option to retain the standout wide receiver after failing to reach a long-term agreement. The one-year deal is worth approximately $12.8 million in 2015, per NFL Media’s Albert Breer.
Thomas was likely to command a higher salary had he entered unrestricted free agency, considering his elite production during Denver’s last three campaigns.
He tallied 94 catches, 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012, following up that performance by snagging 92 passes for 1,430 yards and 14 scores in 2013.
Last season, the Georgia Tech product reached the end zone 11 times and paced the NFL in targets, garnering a career-high 184. Thomas also racked up personal-best marks of 111 receptions and 1,619 receiving yards, both of which ranked second in the league.
The 6’3″, 229-pound wideout was best utilized in the quick passing game from spread formations, but his upcoming role in Gary Kubiak’s zone-run-heavy offense is a question.
Denver’s new coach has said he’ll integrate the Broncos’ current attack into the pro-style system that helped guide the Baltimore Ravens to the No. 8 scoring offense in 2014. However, Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders nearly doubled the production of Baltimore’s Steve Smith Sr. and Torrey Smith last year.
| PLAYER | TGT | REC | YDS | TD |
| Demaryius Thomas | 184 | 111 | 1,619 | 11 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 141 | 101 | 1,404 | 9 |
| Steve Smith Sr. | 133 | 79 | 1,065 | 6 |
| Torrey Smith | 93 | 49 | 767 | 11 |
Consequently, it’s feasible that Thomas’ numbers will drop under the multiple-look attack even if he maintains an elite impact on the outside.
As for Denver, tagging the sixth-year pro now allows the front office to focus on negotiations with Julius Thomas and Rahim Moore, though re-signing the former seems increasingly doubtful after every passing day.
The Broncos have about $14 million of cap space remaining, but that won’t be enough to keep the tight end along with key players like Brandon Marshall, Will Montgomery and Thomas’ potential replacement in Virgil Green.
In late February, Brandon Spano of BSN Denver reported defensive tackle Terrance Knighton will not be re-signed, nor would left guard Orlando Franklin barring a “miracle.”
But no matter the results on those fronts, the Broncos have their star receiver back in the fold for another season, one that is perhaps the final campaign for future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.
Most importantly, though, it gives Elway and Co. one more year to pursue a long-term extension with Thomas if they so choose.
Photo: USA Today