The Denver Broncos started to remold their defense by selecting Sylvester Williams in the first round of the NFL Draft, and they could continue by moving starting middle linebacker Joe Mays.
NFL trade rumors: Broncos shopping linebacker Joe Mays
The Denver Broncos could be looking to deal Joe Mays as John Fox’s defense undergoes a mini-overhaul.
Byron Hetzler-US PRESSWIRE
Starting to hear a lot of veteran names that will be available via trade...Add Denver LB Joe Mays to that list.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 27, 2013
Mays has grown into his current status as an NFL starter. A North Dakota State product who didn't play football until his junior year of high school, he wasn't much of a factor for the Eagles, who picked him in the sixth round of the 2008 draft. In the 2010 offseason, they dealt him to the Broncos for JJ Arrington. Arrington wouldn't play for the Eagles, while Mays would start five games in 2010 and 12 more in 2011. A knee injury would end his 2012 season early, but he was slated to start next to Von Miller in 2013.
As Ian Henson from Mile High Report notes, the Broncos could use the salary relief from unloading Mays to help sign a veteran pass rusher after the NFL Draft:
Mays is currently scheduled to make the seventh highest salary on the Broncos, with a base salary of $4 million and a cap figure of $4,166,667 (cutting him would cost $833,334 in dead money). That’s three million plus dollars that would be made available in trading or cutting Mays could likely sign a Dwight Freeney, John Abraham or anyone else that Denver feels would improve this post-draft team.
Mays is a huge hitter -- he brutalized Matt Schaub on a hit last season that actually ripped off part of Schaub's earlobe -- and has turned into a quality veteran, so someone could benefit from dealing for the player heading into his sixth season.
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