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The Denver Broncos are stacked at multiple positions, and cornerback is one of them. That’s what happens when you build a team that goes 14-3; you end up with what Luca Evans of the Denver Post described as “champagne problems,” and in this case they involved cornerbacks Riley Moss, Jahdae Barron and Ja’Quan McMillian.
They’re all jockeying for playing time at the position, and it’s created an intriguing short-term question, according to Evans: “Should the Broncos pay CB2 Riley Moss or nickel Ja’Quan McMillian?”
They’re both good players, but they’re very different. Riley was Mr. Reliable most of the time, but he did have issues with man coverage and penalties occasionally when he got caught in a bad matchup. McMilliam, meanwhile, flashed as a playmaker who deserves a bigger role.
“When you’re looking at today’s NFL with the DBs and corners especially, they’re tough to find in the offseason without, like, large compensation,” head coach Sean Payton said in early May, asked on future plans for the cornerback room. “So, all of that will kinda work its way — sort itself out.”
NFL agents Evans used as sources know exactly how this will play out, however.
“At some point, they’re gonna be like, ‘Look, we can’t pay three of ‘em,'” one said.
The presence of Barron as a backup option who has physical prowess gives the Broncos options, even if Barron is coming off what Evans described as a “shaky season.”
“They’ll use their champagne problem of depth,” the agent said as he anticipated the Broncos’ potential negotiating strategy, “to scare everybody involved.”
Payton has already started that process. He said at the combine that Barron can play inside and outside, which effectively threatens the job security of both Moss and McMillian. Evans cited a team source who said that part of the plan is to “push” for Barron to compete with Moss, and part of that is about the financial equation, as McMillian could have a much larger market if he can move outside.
It’s all a bit diabolical, but this is the game NFL teams play when they pit positional players against one another. It’s done all the time and the players know it, so part of it is about jockeying for options. No one knows what’s going to happen right now, but it’s part of Payton’s job to create the cheapest possible option.
Regardless of the result, the Broncos will be strong at cornerback. That’s one thing we know, regardless of whatever twists and turns come into play this summer.
Continue reading...
They’re all jockeying for playing time at the position, and it’s created an intriguing short-term question, according to Evans: “Should the Broncos pay CB2 Riley Moss or nickel Ja’Quan McMillian?”
They’re both good players, but they’re very different. Riley was Mr. Reliable most of the time, but he did have issues with man coverage and penalties occasionally when he got caught in a bad matchup. McMilliam, meanwhile, flashed as a playmaker who deserves a bigger role.
“When you’re looking at today’s NFL with the DBs and corners especially, they’re tough to find in the offseason without, like, large compensation,” head coach Sean Payton said in early May, asked on future plans for the cornerback room. “So, all of that will kinda work its way — sort itself out.”
NFL agents Evans used as sources know exactly how this will play out, however.
“At some point, they’re gonna be like, ‘Look, we can’t pay three of ‘em,'” one said.
The presence of Barron as a backup option who has physical prowess gives the Broncos options, even if Barron is coming off what Evans described as a “shaky season.”
“They’ll use their champagne problem of depth,” the agent said as he anticipated the Broncos’ potential negotiating strategy, “to scare everybody involved.”
Payton has already started that process. He said at the combine that Barron can play inside and outside, which effectively threatens the job security of both Moss and McMillian. Evans cited a team source who said that part of the plan is to “push” for Barron to compete with Moss, and part of that is about the financial equation, as McMillian could have a much larger market if he can move outside.
It’s all a bit diabolical, but this is the game NFL teams play when they pit positional players against one another. It’s done all the time and the players know it, so part of it is about jockeying for options. No one knows what’s going to happen right now, but it’s part of Payton’s job to create the cheapest possible option.
Regardless of the result, the Broncos will be strong at cornerback. That’s one thing we know, regardless of whatever twists and turns come into play this summer.
Continue reading...
