While the quarterback market continues to be set, the wide receiver market is unknown. Several star receivers are waiting for new contracts as their respective teams wait from someone to make the first move. Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and Julio Jones all expect to stay put, but also want their money. While Thomas works off a franchise tag for the 2015 season, head coach Gary Kubiak remains hopeful a contract is put into place soon.
Thomas has yet to be seen in Denver as the Broncos go through OTAs. The wide receiver is holding out for a new contract after being forced to settle on a franchise tag for the upcoming season. Peyton Manning has already spoken out in support of the star, while Kubiak is confident things get finalized soon.
"I'm very confident, yeah, I am," Kubiak said, via ESPN.com. "John [Elway] and I talk about it all the time, but I just try to stay focused on what we're doing right now. Going to continue to talk to, have some conversations through [wide receivers coach] Tyke [Tolbert] or somebody to Demaryius on exactly where he's at with our stuff. He's been studying our stuff, he's got all our cut-ups and that type of thing. Peyton and he are visiting consistently. It's just going to be important that when we do get to that point and it's time to go, OK, what's our plan for him as we move forward. And we'll have that. I hear he's working extremely hard. ... His play speaks for itself."
The Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons are both saying the same thing. They intend for contracts to get done prior to the season beginning, but right now the outlook is a bit grim considering negotiations are going nowhere. Thomas and Bryant might be forced to wait until next year when their teams have no choice but to get a deal done while Jones can still be handed a tag next year.
For now, the Broncos are operating with Emmanuel Sanders and Cody Latimer as the top two receivers while Virgil Green starts to see extended playing time in wake of Julius Thomas departing. According to the Denver Post, the run game will be a major focal point this year which should help Manning stay healthier. Montee Ball and CJ Anderson are competing for the starting spot as the team prepares to kick off mini-camps. It is unknown if Thomas will be at mini-camp, but it is mandatory and he will be fined if he is not present.