Delvin Breaux Leaves Broncos With No Deal
While previous reports indicated that free agent cornerback Delvin Breaux was close to a deal with the Broncos, he’s now leaving Denver without a deal, per Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link), who adds Breaux appears set to visit other clubs.
The 28-year-old wasn’t tendered by the Saints earlier this week, making him an unrestricted free agent. Breaux had his highs and lows while in New Orleans: he was a standout in 2015, grading out as a high-end starter per Pro Football Focus’ metrics, but didn’t deliver an encore performance in 2016, and his 2017 season was lost to injury.
The Saints designated Breaux to return from IR in October, but the cornerback had a setback that kept him out for another month. Ultimately, New Orleans did not activate him within the window, meaning that his season was done.
The former CFL player’s standout 2015 campaign saw him compile 45 tackles, 19 passes defended, and three interceptions. Injuries have been an issue with Breaux, who has broken his fibula twice and missed time with a shoulder injury.
Denver didn’t completely miss on free agent cornerback additions, as they signed veteran Tramaine Brock on Wednesday.
NFL Contract Restructures: 3/15/18
With the 2018 league year officially underway, a number of teams have reworked player contracts in order to create additional cap space. Here’s what moves clubs have made today:
- Broncos: Created $12.375MM in 2018 cap space by converting $16MM of LB Von Miller‘s $18.5MM base salary into a signing bonus (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com).
- Cardinals: G Mike Iupati accepted $3MM pay cut. 2018 base salary reduced from $7.75MM to $5MM. $250K roster bonus eliminated. 2019 contract season is now voidable (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com).
- Cowboys: Created ~$7.5MM in 2018 cap space by restructuring C Travis Frederick‘s contract (Twitter link via Jane Slater of NFL.com).
- Eagles: Created $5.407MM in 2018 cap space by converting $7.21MM of TE Zach Ertz‘s $8MM base salary into a fully guaranteed roster bonus (Twitter link via Yates).
- Ravens: Created $5.625MM in 2018 cap space by converting $7.5MM of DT Brandon Williams‘ $8.5MM base salary into a signing bonus (Twitter link via Yates).
Delvin Breaux To Sign With Broncos?
Delvin Breaux could be headed to Denver. Mike Klis of 9News reports (via Twitter) that the free agent cornerback is set to visit and take a physical with the Broncos. The defensive back will likely sign with the team if he passes his physical. 
The 28-year-old wasn’t tendered by the Saints earlier this week, making him an unrestricted free agent. Breaux had his highs and lows while in New Orleans. He was a standout in 2015, grading out as a high-end starter per Pro Football Focus’ metrics. However, he did not deliver an encore performance in 2016, and his 2017 season was lost to injury.
The Saints designated Breaux to return from IR in October, but the cornerback had a setback that kept him out for another month. Ultimately, New Orleans did not activate him within the window, meaning that his season was done.
The former CFL player’s standout 2015 campaign saw him compile 45 tackles, 19 passes defended, and three interceptions. Injuries have been an issue with Breaux, who has broken his fibula twice and missed time with a shoulder injury.
After trading veteran cornerback Aqib Talib to the Rams, the Broncos are in need of another defensive back to pair with Chris Harris and Bradley Roby. Denver has already added one new cornerback to the mix with the signing of Tramaine Brock on a one-year $4 MM deal.
Broncos To Trade Trevor Siemian To Vikings
The Vikings are finalizing a trade for Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Siemian now projects as the No. 2 QB in support of starter Kirk Cousins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the Broncos will also send a 2018 late-round pick to Minnesota, while the Vikings will trade a 2019 draft pick.
Siemian offered decent production in 14 games as the Broncos’ starter in 2016, as the former seventh-round pick completed 59.5% of his passes for 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Last season, however, Siemian struggled mightily, and Denver ultimately turned to Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch under center.
The 26-year-old ultimately led the Broncos to a 5-5 record in 10 starts, completing 59% of his passes for 2,285 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked Siemian 36th among 39 eligible signal-callers. For what it’s worth, the website had rated the quarterback similarly in 2016.
Siemian will be a low-cost backup to Cousins in Minnesota, as the quarterback is set to have only a $1.9MM cap hit in 2018. The Vikings are also currently rostering former Broncos quarterback Kyle Sloter. Meanwhile, after having inked former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum to a deal, the Broncos are seemingly content with one of Paxton Lynch or Chad Kelly in a backup role. We had previously heard that the Broncos were shopping Siemian, with both the Jets and Falcons showing interest in the former seventh-rounder.
Broncos To Re-Sign ILB Todd Davis
The Brandon Marshall–Danny Trevathan inside linebacker setup the Broncos used during their Super Bowl season broke up after one season when Trevathan defected in free agency, but Denver plans to ensure its post-Trevathan arrangement will continue for much longer.
Todd Davis loomed as one of the Broncos’ top UFAs, and he will stay in Denver, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The fifth-year linebacker agreed to a three-year, $15MM deal to stay, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post (Twitter link). She adds $6MM will come Davis’ way in guarantees.
Davis has been a starter alongside Marshall for two seasons, and now both of the Broncos’ first-string inside ‘backers are attached to veteran contracts. However, with Davis profiling as more of a run-defending type and less of a pure three-down performer, the Broncos were able to keep him for $3MM (per year) cheaper than it took to extend Marshall two years ago.
The Broncos were hoping to re-sign Corey Nelson, but the longtime backup opted for a one-year Eagles deal. They ramped their efforts to retain Davis after that transpired, and Davis will be back for a fifth Broncos season and third as a starter.
Davis, 25, graded as one of the league’s best run-defending linebackers last season, per Pro Football Focus.
[RELATED: Broncos Depth Chart]
Chargers Sign TE Virgil Green
Virgil Green is sticking around the AFC West. The Chargers are signing the free agent tight end, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
Green, who spent his entire seven-year career with Denver, had 14 catches for 191 yards and one touchdown last season. The former seventh-round pick has one receiving TD to his credit in each of the last four campaigns, but his real bread and butter is blocking. While Pro Football Focus ranked Green an underwhelming 63rd among 71 tight end candidates, his blocking grade was fourth at the position. Green was listed as the fifth-best tight end in our positional free agent rankings.
[RELATED: Chargers Depth Chart]
The Chargers will likely rely on Green as a blocking tight end. Former second-rounder Hunter Henry sits atop the depth chart, and the team is also rostering Sean Culkin and Braedon Bowman. Meanwhile, long-time tight end Antonio Gates is considering retirement.
Broncos Sign CB Tramaine Brock
The Broncos and cornerback Tramaine Brock have agreed to a deal, according to Mike Klis of 9News. It will be a one-year, $4MM pact, tweets Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. Denver has officially announced the deal.
Brock is coming off of a strange 2017. In April, the 49ers released him on the heels of a domestic violence arrest. After that charge was dropped in August, the Seahawks scooped him. Then, before the start of the season, Seattle shipped Brock to Minnesota for a conditional 2018 seventh-round pick.
Brock, who had started 31 games for San Francisco from 2015-16, barely played in a stacked Vikings secondary. The 29-year-old saw action on just 5% of Minnesota’s defensive snaps, playing behind Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, and Terence Newman. Brock did contribute on special teams, however, playing on nearly 40% of the Vikings’ ST snaps.
The Broncos are clearly trying to add an affordable corner after trading veteran Aqib Talib to the Rams earlier this offseason. Denver reportedly also has interest in former Raiders CB T.J. Carrie. Brock will likely play in nickel packages alongside Chris Harris and Bradley Roby.
Jets, Falcons Interested In Broncos QB Trevor Siemian?
The Broncos are fielding calls on Trevor Siemian and at least two teams are in the mix. The Jets and Falcons are interested in the signal caller, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post (on Twitter).
It would be surprising, to say the least, if the Jets still have interest in Siemian after re-signing Josh McCown and adding Teddy Bridgewater in free agency. Popular thought has been that the Jets would explore QB options in the draft, perhaps at No. 6 overall, in order to groom a younger player for the position behind the two veterans. It’s possible that the Jets would prefer to go with a deeper depth chart of three established QBs while using their top pick to bolster another department.
The Falcons would also make for an odd destination for Siemian given that they recently inked backup Matt Schaub to a two-year extension. While Atlanta could get out of Schuab’s deal with relative ease, the club wouldn’t have made the move to keep Schaub unless it was comfortable with him as Matt Ryan‘s No. 2. Siemian could potentially serve as the Falcons’ third-stringer, but many teams like to keep that spot open for a developmental arm.
Siemian offered league-average production in 14 games as the Broncos’ starter in 2016, as the former seventh-round pick completed 59.5% of his passes for 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Last season, however, Siemian struggled mightily, and Denver ultimately turned to Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch under center.
Siemian could conceivably attract interest from any number of teams as a backup quarterback, especially given his price tag. He’ll earn just $1.907MM in 2018 (a raise over his scheduled base salary, thanks to the proven performance escalator), an entirely palatable figure for a No. 2 signal-caller.
Broncos Fielding Calls On QB Trevor Siemian
The Broncos have received calls from several clubs with interest in quarterback Trevor Siemian, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post.
That Denver is hearing from teams with an eye towards acquiring Siemian should come as no surprise, given both that the Broncos signed fellow quarterback Case Keenum to a two-year deal earlier today and the fact that Denver had been openly shopping Siemian. With Keenum now the Broncos’ starter, and former first-round pick Paxton Lynch likely to serve as the club’s backup, Siemian doesn’t have a role in the Mile High City.
Siemian offered league-average production in 14 games as the Broncos’ starter in 2016, as the former seventh-round pick completed 59.5% of his passes for 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Last season, however, Siemian struggled mightily, and Denver ultimately turned to Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch under center.
Siemian could conceivably attract interest from any number of teams as a backup quarterback, especially given his price tag. He’ll earn just $1.907MM in 2018 (a raise over his scheduled base salary, thanks to the proven performance escalator), an entirely palatable figure for a No. 2 signal-caller.
Browns To Sign OT Donald Stephenson
The Browns are set to sign offensive tackle Donald Stephenson, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a one-year, $2.5MM deal for the former Bronco. 
Stephenson, 30 in September, saw his season cut short with a torn calf muscle. He appeared in seven games with four starts before being shut down for the year. Stephenson’s 303 snaps were not enough to qualify for Pro Football Focus’ rankings, but in a larger sample, he would have graded out as the 12th-worst tackle in the league.
The Broncos will have some work to do on the offense line after the departure of Stephenson. They attempted to trade for Dolphins tackle Ju’Wuan James, but Miami informed them that he will be staying put.
The Browns also signed defensive end Chris Smith earlier today and tendered a contract to exclusive rights free agent wide receiver Josh Gordon. The Browns were also active on the trade market last week as they acquired Jarvis Landry, Tyrod Taylor, Damarious Randall and jettisoned defensive tackle Danny Shelton.