The Broncos are protecting two RFAs at the second-round level this offseason, with Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post reporting (via Twitter) the team placed the second-highest available tender on Shaquil Barrett.
This comes minutes after Matt Paradis was tendered at the Round 2 level. Like Paradis, Barrett will make $2.914MM if he plays on the tender this season.
Barrett has not been an every-week starter like Paradis but has served as a key rotational presence over the past three seasons. The former UDFA was the player the 2015 Super Bowl champion iteration of the Broncos turned to to replace DeMarcus Ware while he was injured, and he’s been one of the better run-defending outside linebackers since that season.
While three years younger than Paradis despite coming into the league at the same time, Barrett isn’t as surefire an extension candidate because of Shane Ray‘s presence. The Broncos used both Ray and Barrett as Von Miller‘s top complements last season after Ware’s retirement, and the franchise must decide on Ray’s fifth-year option by May 3. Barrett, though, has been the more consistent player despite Ray’s first-round status.
It could become an either/or situation as to which Miller supporting-caster is extended, but for 2018, both are under contract.