Many are expecting (or at least hoping) Denver’s offense takes a nice step forward this year, perhaps helping the team make a run at a wild-card spot. The probability of that happening went down today. JaWuan James is a big part of their plans, and he’s opting out because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For those who are rusty with James, he was a first-round pick by the Dolphins. He was a solid right tackle for them, but the two sides couldn’t agree on a contract extension. The Broncos swiped him away last year with a four-year deal worth $51 million, hoping he would be an anchor on their offensive line for years.
It hasn’t happened thus far. Injuries limited James to only three games last year. Now he’s going to play no games in 2019, leaving Denver scrambling again on its offensive line.
The Broncos have some nice young talent on offense, including Courtland Sutton, Melvin Gordon, Drew Lock, Phillip Lindsay, Noah Fant and first-round Jerry Jeudy. But the offense wasn’t impressive last year, scoring only 27 touchdowns, and the chances of it springing to life this year seemingly just decreased.
The count of opt-out players is now at 51. I have worked through the list, and by my count, 11 on that list are players of some significance – guys who were going to start or play notable roles.
James (at least in my opinion) was the No. 2 guy on that list. I’ve got him behind only linebacker C.J. Mosley of the Jets. Mosley is another high-priced free agent from 2018 who was hurt for almost all of last year.
In my estimation, the Patriots are the only team that’s lost three notable players: Donta Hightower, Marcus Cannon and Patrick Chung. Kansas City is the only other team that’s lost two: Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Damien Williams.
I’ve got three defensive tackles in my top 8: Eddie Goldman (Bears), Michael Pierce (Vikings) and Star Lotulelei (Bills).
| IMPACT PLAYERS OPTING OUT | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rk | Tm | Player |
| 1 | NYJ | LB C.J. Mosley |
| 2 | Den. | OT JaWuan James |
| 3 | N.E. | LB Donta Hightower |
| 4 | Chi. | DT Eddie Goldman |
| 5 | Min. | DT Michael Pierce |
| 6 | N.E. | OT Marcus Cannon |
| 7 | NYG | OT Nate Solder |
| 8 | Buff. | DT Star Lotulelei |
| 9 | K.C. | OG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif |
| 10 | N.E. | SS Patrick Chung |
| 11 | K.C. | RB Damien Williams |
Of the 40 other players opting out, I would say eight have some slight, nominal value. I’ve got them tagged below with black dots.) Geronimo Allison and Devin Funchess might have played some as third or fourth receivers with the Lions and Packers. Jamize Olawale and Danny Vitale likely would have played some as fullbacks, but those teams should replace them without too much trouble. Chance Warmack was going to compete for a starting job with the Seahawks, but he was a low-price guy.
| OTHER PLAYERS OPTING OUT | |
|---|---|
| Tm | Player |
| Balt. | • KR DeAnthony Thomas |
| Balt. | OT Andre Smith |
| Buff. | CB E.J. Gaines |
| Car. | LB Christian Miller |
| Car. | LB Jordan Mack |
| Cin. | DT Josh Tupou |
| Cin. | OT Isaiah Prince |
| Clev. | G Drew Forbes |
| Clev. | OT Drake Dorbeck |
| Dall. | • FB Jamize Olawale |
| Dall. | CB Maurice Canady |
| Dall. | WR Stephen Guidry |
| Den. | DT Kyle Peko |
| Det. | • WR Geronimo Allison |
| Det. | DT John Atkins |
| G.B. | • WR Devin Funchess |
| Hou. | DT Eddie Vanderdoes |
| Jac. | • DT Al Woods |
| Jac. | DE/OLB Lerentee McCray |
| LAR | OT Chandler Brewer |
| N.E. | • FB Dan Vitale |
| N.E. | OL Najee Toran |
| N.E. | RB Brandon Bolden |
| N.E. | TE Matt LaCosse |
| N.E. | WR Marqise Lee |
| N.O. | TE Cole Wick |
| N.O. | TE Jason Vander Laan |
| NYG | WR DaMari Scott |
| NYJ | OL Leo Koloamatangi |
| Phi. | WR Marquise Goodwin |
| Sea. | • OL Chance Warmack |
| Ten. | OT Anthony McKinney |
| Was. | • LB Josh Harvey Clemons |
| Was. | DE Caleb Brantley |
—Ian Allan