The Broncos have multiple options for replacing A.J. Bouye

In a move that didn’t come as a huge surprise, the Broncos released cornerback A.J. Bouye on Wednesday. The transaction was expected because the veteran was slated to count nearly $11.7 million against the salary cap in 2021 if he remained on the roster, but he carried $0 in dead cap if he was let go.

Now, George Paton has more flexibility in revamping the franchise. Denver’s new general manager can be more active when free agency begins on March 17.

Ironically, one of the positions the Broncos may now need to address is cornerback. With Bouye gone, that leaves Bryce Callahan and Michael Ojemudia as the projected starters next season.

Callahan had a strong season, but was once again limited by injuries. After missing the entire 2019 campaign with a bad foot, the cornerback appeared in 10 games last year. In those contests, Callahan had two interceptions, five passes defensed and 42 total tackles. That performance earned him a spot on Pro Football Focus’s top 101 players in the NFL list.

Ojemudia had an up-and-down season in 2020. The rookie saw action early, fell out of favor in the middle of the year and was back in the lineup for the second half of the campaign. All told, the third-round pick started 11 games, had six passes defensed and forced four fumbles.

By season’s end, Ojemudia was Denver’s top cornerback. Callahan was injured, Bouye was serving a suspension and a host of unproven, young defensive backs were thrust into action.

Now, those players will be called upon to fill the void. Players like Essang Bassey, De’Vante Bausby, Duke Dawson and Parnell Motley move up the depth chart.

Of course, that’s assuming Paton doesn’t address the position in free agency or the draft. Both are possibilities, although cornerback isn’t as much of a need in Vic Fangio’s defense because it leans toward zone schemes instead of man-to-man.

The biggest names available in free agency include Patrick Peterson, Richard Sherman, Josh Norman and Jason McCourty. Bouye will be one of the best cornerbacks on the market, as well.

Last year, Byron Jones was the prize cornerback available. He signed a five-year, $82.5-million contract with the Dolphins.

So replacing Bouye with a high-priced free agent seems unlikely. They’ll cost more than what the veteran cornerback was scheduled to earn in 2021 had he remained on the Broncos roster.

Paton could choose to address the position in the draft. With the No. 9 overall pick, Denver will most likely be in position to draft Caleb Farley or Patrick Surtain II, the top two cornerbacks available.

This path would make more economic sense. Last year, cornerback C.J. Henderson went ninth overall. He was selected by the Jaguars and carried a 2020 cap number of $3.7 million. That’s $8 million cheaper than Bouye.

Releasing the veteran cornerback was just the first step. Now, the question becomes how the Broncos will replace him.

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