The Denver Broncos have Julius Thomas, Terrance Knighton and Orlando Franklin hitting free agency and with the team expecting to use the franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas to ensure his return for Peyton Manning, there is a chance that Thomas and Knighton could be potential targets for the Oakland Raiders as free agents into 2015.
The Raiders are coming into the offseason with a great deal of cap space and with needs on both sides of the ball, they are expected to spend big. According to Bill Williamson at ESPN.com, the Raiders may have over $50 million in salary cap space and that means they can compete for the biggest named players on the market. Thomas and Knighton are both possibilities to leave the Broncos, as the team is concentrating on signing back Thomas the wide receiver for Manning.
Thomas the tight end is expected to be a target for a number of teams in free agency, including the Raiders, Browns and Jaguars. Those three teams have the most cap space coming into the offseason and they are expected to make a number of moves. According to the Denver Post, Thomas is going to be a top target for the Jaguars and they are "serious" about going after him. The team has a young QB they are hoping to develop in Blake Bortles and could spend big on Thomas.
The Broncos love using their tight ends, but if Thomas gets attention on the market and is offered a large contract, there is a chance Denver lets him walk. Thomas has had 24 TDs over the past two seasons and both Virgil Green and Jacob Tamme are also free agents for the Broncos this offseason. Jordan Cameron, Owen Daniels and Jermaine Gresham are hitting the market and they could be potential options for the Broncos to replace Thomas if he leaves.
Wes Welker is a free agent and after a disappointing 2014 season, he is likely to be allowed to walk in free agency. Knighton is an interesting option, as he has said he wants to return to Denver, but the team so far has not engaged in contract talks. Knighton could be in line to get paid after a strong season and the Denver Post reports that the Raiders will be a prime target. The Raiders see Knighton as an option if Ndamukong Suh stays in Detroit, while he also previously played for Jack Del Rio in Denver and could follow him to Oakland.
ESPN.com reports that if the Broncos do not work out a long term deal with Thomas, they will use the franchise tag on him. Manning himself has not officially come back for the Broncos, but according to NFL.com, the move is expected to come in the next couple weeks. There is also a chance that the Broncos could ask Manning to take a pay cut to help try and keep some of their free agents. Manning dealt with an injury down the stretch last season and the Broncos may want to bring in a more experienced backup to have some insurance behind him.