Broncos' most overpaid player is $52 million Bo Nix protector

The Denver Broncos have built a Super Bowl-contending roster, and it's been an impressive turnaround since the huge mistake with the Russell Wilson trade.

With the current roster, there aren't many holes, and the team has a lot of either fair and very appropriate contract deals or bargains. However, one deal stands out as an overpay.

Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report pointed out how the Broncos $52 million interior offensive lineman, and seven-year veteran Ben Powers, is the most overpaid player on the team currently.

Ben Powers is the Broncos' most overpaid player

"Denver's offensive line is fantastic, but Powers is clearly the weakest link," Gagnon writes. "The left guard is a replacement-level player who missed significant time due to injury in 2025 and is entering his age-30 campaign with no Pro Bowl nods on his resume. His $18.2 million cap hit for 2026 is the ninth-highest at the position."

While protecting Bo Nix is a priority for the Broncos, as it should be, their massive commitment to Powers is a bit of an overpay.

Spending $52 million, or $18.2 million this upcoming season, on what Gagnon calls a "replacement-level player" is a major overpay.

Of course, had he not missed most of the season in 2025, his status as the most overpaid player on the team might not feel as bad as it does currently.

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If he can play a full season in 2026 and help the Broncos return to the playoffs and win a Super Bowl, his $18.2 million cap hit in 2026 won't feel like an overpay. That number, while a lot, isn't too bad considering the total cap space in the NFL.

The NFL cap space jumped above $300 million this upcoming season, meaning the Broncos, even at $18.2 million, will be allocating around 6.0% of their cap space for their left guard.

Sure, Powers might be a replacement-level offensive lineman, hovering around league-average for his position. But getting such production isn't easy to find along the offensive line, and with Nix on a rookie deal, now is the time to spend on someone like Powers.

It doesn't change the fact that this $18.2 million cap hit in 2026 is an overpay, but there is at least some reason not to be overly worried about such a lofty deal.

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