4. Aqib Talib
Age At Signing: 28 Contract: 6 years / $57 million ($25.5 million guaranteed)
Best Season Before Denver: 46 total tackles; 4 interceptions; 13 passes defended; 1 return touchdowns (2013, Patriots)
Best Season In Denver: 67 total tackles; 1 sack; 4 interceptions; 18 passes defended (2014)
What he’s done: Whether or not you like the personality and playing style of Aqib Talib, there’s no denying what he’s done for the Denver Broncos defense. Maybe he’s not the best cornerback in Denver — I’d give that designation to Chris Harris — but I can promise you that there wouldn’t be a “No Fly Zone” without Aqib Talib in the building.
And while it’s hard to measure, I don’t think we can underrate what Talib has done for the Broncos’ locker room. Yes, he crosses the line sometimes, but he also brings a fire to the Denver defense that few opponents can match.
At an average of $9.5 million, Talib will be the 12th highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, which is more than fair.
