The 2021 NFL League year officially kicked off at 14:00 MT on Wednesday, giving us the chance to take stock of the Broncos series.
The following is an overview of the Broncos’ signings and other roster-related moves since the legal tampering began Monday.
Agree to the terms with DL Shelby Harris
The Broncos have agreed to agree with defensive line Shelby Harris on a three-year deal that will keep him in Denver until 2023.
“Shelby sets the tone on our defensive line,” said general manager George Paton. “As a disruptive passer and a physical defender, he’s tough to handle up front. We’m excited to have Shelby back with the Broncos.”
Harris, who has spent the past four seasons with the Broncos, has 2.5 bags, 32 tackles, 11 quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, defended seven passes and posted a forced fumble in 11 games. Harris has played 16 passes over the past two seasons on the point of scrimmage, which ranks first in the NFL.
For more information on Harris’ trade on the Broncos, click here.
Agree to the terms with CB Ronald Darby
Denver has now officially agreed to sign a three-year deal with former Washington baseline Ronald Darby. The move was announced Monday and became official when the new league year began Wednesday.
Darby, a former pick in the second round, started all 16 games for Washington last season and recorded the fifth most passes defended (16) in the NFL.
“We thought Ronald had some of the best natural pure cover skills in this free agency class,” Paton said. ‘He has great speed and fits Vic [Fangio] do schematically in the running and passing game. Ronald overcame a lot of adversity to become a very productive starter for 16 games for Washington last year. We are delighted that he will become a Bronco and welcome him to Denver. ‘
Prior to his time in Washington, he spent three seasons with Philadelphia, where he won a 2017 World Cup.
Darby, a former All-Rookie player in 2015, has intercepted eight careers.
For more information on Darby’s deal with the Broncos, click here.
Von Miller’s team option picked up
The Broncos announced on Tuesday that they will pick up the team option of linebacker Von Miller that will keep him through the 2021 season in Denver.
The former second overall pick in 2011 is the franchise’s everyday leader in pockets, but misses the 2020 season with an ankle injury. He is expected to return in 2021 to play alongside newcomer Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb. In 2018, the duo recorded a combined 26.5 bags in their full full season.
“I became a Colorado for the rest of my life, let alone a Denver Bronco,” Miller wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “I want to be here forever through the thick, the thin, the Super Bowl seasons, the lost seasons. I want to be here forever.”
Click here for more information on the team’s decision to include Miller’s option.
Did not exercise Kareem Jackson’s team option
The Broncos did not use Kareem Jackson’s team option by the March 16 deadline, meaning Jackson is officially a free agent.
A two-year starter in Denver, Jackson, started 29 of a potential 32 games for the Broncos as he developed a reputation as a big hit in the team’s defensive backfield.
His bright moments in Year 1 were against the Chargers and Texans. In Los Angeles, he forced a rumble on the goal line that helped the Broncos prevent a score and later achieve their first win of the year. Later in the season, on his return to Houston, Jackson earned the AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors when he posted 11 tackles, a tackle for losing, an interception, three pass breakups and a fumble return for ‘ a touchdown. Jackson was named a Pro Bowl replacement after the season.
Jackson returned to the field in 2020 and made his presence known again. He played seven games with at least five solo attacks, and he passed four more times and recovered two more fumble. Jackson played almost every turn when he, along with Justin Simmons, was one of the best safety duos in the league.
The second round featured Tim Patrick and Alexander Johnson
Denver placed tenders for the second round on wide receiver Tim Patrick and lineout player Alexander Johnson, who were both restricted free throws. Other NFL teams may still offer contracts from Patrick or Johnson, but the Broncos will have the chance to respond to any offer sheet. If Denver chose not to vote for another team’s offer, the Broncos would choose a second round as compensation.
Denver also offered a tender for the right to Phillip Lindsay for the first time. The Broncos will still have the ability to agree to a deal offered by another team, but they will not receive compensation if they do not want to agree.
The Broncos also featured exclusive rights agents Diontae Spencer, Trey Marshall and Calvin Anderson. Exclusive rights-free agents may not negotiate with other teams, meaning the three players will remain under contract with the Broncos until 2021.
Several free agents were not re-signed or offered by the Broncos. As of 14:00 MT, the following players from the Broncos series are unlimited free agents and are no longer under contract with the team:
It remains possible for any of the above players to sign with the team again and again.