Broncos Should Just Let Ashley Lelie Go

Although Ashley Lelie is a former first round pick and has shown flashes over his career, the Denver Broncos should just give him what he wants and trade him. While he has shown some quality skills, he is very prone to lapses in concentration. He’s inconsistent and I don’t see Mike Shanahan as a coach who likes this type of player anyway. Shanahan wants guys who produce on a consistent basis.

And he has two wide receivers who are consistent in Rod Smith and Javon Walker. Smith has produced very well over 11 years and, while Walker had only one breakout year with the Packers before he missed last year with an injury, he looks like the type of player that Lelie isn’t.

Lelie is a no-show for the Broncos latest minicamp and had previously boycotted all 14 of the Broncos’ voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) workouts and has publicly reiterated his desire to move on. There’s never much sense in keeping a disgruntled player around. It’s disruptive to team chemistry. Get some value for Lelie and move on with the two players that are better than him anyway.

Ashley Lelie had a career season in 2004, catching 54 balls for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. His numbers fell in 2005, when he had only 42 receptions for 770 yards and one touchdown. Walker will definitely put up superior numbers than this for the Broncos.

Lelie is entering the final year of his original rookie contract and is due a base salary of $600,000. Just let the guy go and move on.