Rand Getlin of NFL Media expects Broncos OLB Von Miller to potentially walk away being the highest paid defensive player in the history of the NFL next year.
According to Getlin, Miller could end up surpassing Marcell Dareus‘ record of $60 million guaranteed in his next contract.
Of course, the Broncos could always use their franchise tag on him next year, but Getlin mentions that using the tag on Miller in back-to-back seasons would run them around $30 million guaranteed. With this in mind, Getlin believes it’s more likely they would address his contract after the 2016 season, assuming they franchised him.
A number of sources told Getlin that Miller’s disruption is really the thing that sets him a part as a defensive weapon. In fact, some mentioned that they would prefer to build their defense around Miller rather than Texans DE J.J. Watt based on the scheme issues Miller creates for opposing offenses.
Miller,26, played out his four-year, $21 million rookie contract, and is playing out the 2015 season under the fifth-year option the Broncos picked up last year. Miller will make a base salary of $9.754 million this year before becoming a free agent next year.
This season, Miller has appeared in six games and recorded 12 tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 3 outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense out of 47 qualifying players.
We have Miller listed as the No. 1 player in our Top 25 – 2016 Free Agents list.
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