Brandon Marshall, Linebacker, go.
Personally, I would keep Marshall on a short-term deal, but the Broncos recently opted to decline the 29-year-old’s 2019 team option, making him a free agent.
Jared Veldheer, Tackle, go.
Veldheer spent 2018 with the Broncos after being traded to Denver by the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent the previous four seasons. Veldheer started 12 games for the Broncos in 2018, but Denver should look to go younger and replace the 32-year-old blocker.
Domata Peko, Defensive Tackle, stay.
Peko has shown a clear strength in one thing over his 11-year NFL career: consistency. The 32-year-old nose tackle rarely misses a game and does his job very well in the trenches, absorbing double teams and clogging up running lanes. Denver could opt to go younger at this position, but Peko has certainly played well enough in Denver to make that potential decision difficult.
Tramaine Brock, Cornerback, go.
Brock was signed by Denver last spring to provide depth behind Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby. The veteran cover man did receive favorable playing time, appearing in 12 games and starting five. However, Denver should still move on from Brock and aim to rebuild their cornerback room in the NFL Draft.
Shaquil Barrett, Linebacker, go.
Barrett hasn’t gotten many opportunities in Denver, mainly due to him being a regular on the injury report. Barrett has not played a full season in the NFL, but has made the most of his playing time when healthy. The 26-year-old linebacker has 137 total tackles, 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles to his name in four seasons. The Broncos should move on and fully commit to 2018 first-round pick Bradley Chubb, giving Barrett a chance to get paid handsomely on the open market.
Matt Paradis, Center, stay.
Paradis’ name has been hot in the rumor mill over the past month or so, as he and Kansas City’s Mitch Morse figure to be the top two centers available on the open market this spring. However, Denver should focus on trimming the top available centers number to one by re-signing Paradis. The 29-year-old has been all that you want in your center, and he also provides durability and consistency by starting in all of his 57 career games, starting nine in 2018 before being placed on Injured Reserve and all 16 games in 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively.
Shane Ray, Linebacker, go.
The writing has been on the wall for Ray’s future with Denver for quite some time. The Broncos declined the 26-year-old’s 2019 team option last August, before the 2018 season even started. Ray, like Barrett, has often appeared on the injury report. Ray missed five games in 2018 with a wrist injury and was placed on Injured Reserve in December.
Bradley Roby, Cornerback, stay.
Denver seems intent on making a logical decision in keeping Roby long-term. The Broncos recently exercised the cornerback’s fifth-year contract option and should most definitely look to sign him to a long-term extension in the near future.
Shelby Harris, Defensive Tackle, stay.
Harris has spent the past two seasons in Denver, serving as a fine depth player in that span. The 27-year-old interior defender has 73 tackles, seven sacks, seven pass deflections and even one interception in two seasons with the Broncos.
Jeff Heuerman, Tight End, stay.
Heuerman had his best NFL season in 2018, but it was cut short as he was placed on Injured Reserve in November. In 11 games, the 6’5″, 255 pound Heuerman caught 31 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns in 2018. At 26 years old, Heuerman is certainly a fine depth option for now, and he has very little limiting him from emerging as a starter caliber player in the future.
Max Garcia, Guard, stay.
Garcia had a down year in 2018 after starting all 16 games in both of the previous two seasons. The 27-year-old guard only started four games and was active for nine last season. Despite his large decrease in playing time, Denver should still keep the veteran around as a starter, but certainly a depth player if nothing more.
Tim Patrick, Wide Receiver, stay.
Patrick’s name isn’t well known around the NFL, but Broncos fans know it pretty well. Patrick started his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2017, but didn’t play in a single game. Jump ahead to 2018 with the Broncos, and Patrick surprised many, filling up the stat sheet with 23 receptions for 315 yards and a touchdown in four starts. Young, exciting players like Patrick should never be up for grabs on the open market if they can be brough back for cheap.
Jordan Taylor, Wide Receiver, go.
Taylor is another young Broncos receiver that has shown potential and promise. Tayor’s, however, was outweighed by Tim Patrick’s in 2018. Taylor managed to catch 13 passes for 142 yards while buried on Denver’s depth chart last season.
Sources: https://www.spotrac.com,https://www.pro-football-reference.com.