The Denver Broncos are placing a second-round tender on outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting. Barrett came into this season as a restricted free agent. What the move means is that teams wanting to sign Barrett will have to give up a second-round pick if the Broncos decide not to match the offer sheet.
Broncos placed a 2nd round tender on Shaq Barrett, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2018
Denver Broncos Place Second-Round Tender on Shaquil Barrett
Barrett was a young and somewhat inexperienced linebacker in this year’s free agent class. With that said, he has shown some flashes and has been an often good (if not critical) part of the stout Denver Broncos defense over the last few years. It is quite possible that he still has better days ahead of him.
Barrett’s 2017 season was his third one as a full member of the Broncos. He played in all 16 games and had nine starts. He put up 37 tackles and four sacks. The latter number was actually third on the team overall behind Shelby Harris and Von Miller.
Barrett played college football initially at Nebraska-Omaha in 2010 until the football program there was removed. He then transferred to Colorado State and played there through 2013. He went undrafted the following year and was signed eventually by the Broncos. He spent that season entirely on the practice squad. In 2015 he made the final roster after a strong preseason.
Barrett had his best season in 2015 on the Broncos team that would eventually become Super Bowl 50 champions. In that season, he had five and a half sacks (also tied for third that year) and 50 tackles. He also forced five fumbles (and recovered two), which was the most on the entire defense. He played in the Super Bowl but only had one tackle on special teams. This was due in part to being evaluated for a concussion at one point. He returned to the game but did not contribute much.
His 2016 season was less flashy, although he started zero games that year and was thus buried on the depth chart. Still, he has not missed a game since getting signed to the active roster back in 2015. In three seasons so far, he has accumulated 123 tackles, 11 sacks and eight forced fumbles with three recoveries.
