The Broncos have a tough decision to make with eight-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Von Miller. Miller has given Denver several key defensive games with 106 sacks in 10 seasons since being drafted at No. 2 in 2011, capped by his MVP-winning performance in Super Bowl 50.
But Miller missed the entire 2020 season with a dislocated peroneal tendon, ankle / leg injury, which he received in practice in September. He turned 32 on 26 March. Broncos, per OverTheCap.com, Are about $ 42 million under the cap, but releasing Miller would give him $ 18 million more in cap relief. Only $ 4.225 million in dead money. He will also be a free agent in 2022.
As a team still trying to rebuild with coach Vic Fangio and new general manager George Patton, Denver is reportedly leaning towards parting ways with Miller. Should it happen, here is a look at his top landing spot as a potential NFL free agent:
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Von Miller’s Best Fits for Non-Broncos 2021
Cleveland brown
Brown has a void for the early supplemental pass rusher for Miles Garrett after Jens Watt is not able to land. Olivier Vernon is a free agent, with Adrian Claiborne and Porter Gustin being his next best options. Beyond the Texas A&M association with a dominant Garrett, Miller could be a major pass-rush and run-stop asset in Joe Woods’ 4-3 defense.
Cleveland is $ 20 million under the cap and could make a little more room with some cuts. Miller is set to make $ 17.5 million in base salaries in 2021, so his new deal could happen annually with less guaranteed short-term money.
Washington Football Team
Washington employs Jack Del Rio, who was the Broncos’ defensive coordinator at the start of Miller’s career. So Chase Young, the WFT’s No. 2 overall pick in 2020 as a complementary pass ranger, is a familiar affair to try to land Miller. The football team also has cap space, about $ 38 million.
Montez Sweat, Washington’s first-rounder of 2019, is versatile enough to play linebacker in a hybrid look and may be more effective as situational ropes. Adding Miller, and Washington would need a 4-3 defensive and depth, along with Ryan Kerrigan and Ryan Anderson would be seen as free agents without a hitch.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are $ 18 million under the cap and face the prospect of not re-signing Matthew Judon or Yannick Ngakou in free agency. In Baltimore, Miller can remain on a 3-4 basis as an outside linebacker with defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
Pernell McPhee is also unsigned, behind Judon and Nagakouye. Miller would make a lot of sense because there is a dire need for an experienced presence for pass-rush production.
Los angeles chargers
The Chargers have more than $ 23 million available under the cap and have hired Fangio’s former Broncos assistant, Renaldo Hill, as their new defensive coordinator under Brandon Staley. Miller’s sleepless Chris Harris Jr. didn’t feel sleepy when going to a rival for this division, especially when Los Angeles was not very interested in adding Watt to his three-man front.
Joey Bosa is a side staffer for the Chargers who is now outside linebacker at new base 3-4, while Melvin Ingram, who earned $ 16.625 million last season, is a free agent. In a twist, the Chargers could move on from Ingram, who turned 32 on April 26 for Miller.
The reasoning for this would be: Ingram is also coming off an injured-CZ season, and before 2020, Ingram made his first three Pro Bowls in a 4-3 succession to defensive end Gus Bradley. Miller would be a better planned fit, especially due to his familiarity with Hill.
Miller has made a lot of money in his NFL career, won a Super Bowl and most of the testimonials want a defensive player would track to land in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Should his time with the Broncos come to an end in 2021, he would eventually choose the best position for him and continue to play at a higher level. The above four teams are the easiest fit for him.
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