Clayton: A decision is looming on what tender to give Phillip Lindsay

The restricted free agent numbers are out and it doesn’t look like the Broncos will use a first-round tender, which is going to more than $4 million. Denver will be using as many as three second-round tenders, however, which will be at $3.384 million.

One is going to go to Alexander Johnson, who had more than 100 tackles last year. He’s done a great job at inside linebacker and the Broncos certainly don’t want to lose him, so they want to put a tender on him that will prevent teams from trying to pry him away. Denver needs to hold on to as many defensive players as they can.

Tim Patrick did such a good job last season that the Broncos want to keep him. They want to have the trio of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Patrick at wide receiver. He will also get a second-round tender.

The one debate right now is about Phillip Lindsay. He’s probably going to get the second-round tender, but there is an argument to be made that he’ll get the original-round tender. That came in at $2.133 million for an undrafted player and would offer the Broncos no compensation if the running back signed with another team.

During his three seasons in the NFL, Lindsay has already posted two 1,000-yard seasons. He’s probably too valuable to risk at the lowest tender, but it’ll be a debate because there are so many running backs on the market.

Do the Broncos want to pay Lindsay $3.384 million? That’s a decision that will have to be made very soon.