INDIANAPOLIS — Once the media got a taste of Pot Roast, they kept coming back for more.

Every day in the Broncos’ locker room became Terrance Knighton media day. Not only was the starting defensive tackle willing to talk to reporters on a daily basis, he could speak intelligently on every subject. Knighton would intuitively describe the essence of victory and provide concealed insight after defeat.

The media will miss Pot Roast, should he sign with another NFL team through free agency.

He is such a good quote, the Denver media joked about passing around the hat to help the Broncos fund his return. No such offering actually took place; it was a foregone conclusion the contribution would be about $7.499 million short of his $7.5 million per year asking price. Give or take.

As usual, the media aren’t much help. The Broncos aren’t expected to pick up the rest, either. Not that much, anyway. Knighton is a good enough defensive tackle that he probably will get paid well by somebody. Perhaps if the market isn’t as lucrative as he hopes, the Broncos can jump in and make a competitive offer.

But barring an unforeseen market crash for Knighton, tight end Julius Thomas, left guard Orlando Franklin and safety Rahim Moore, the Broncos will have to replace four of their top five free-agent starters.

“Until the market opens (March 10) and until you get out there and see what’s out there, that’s what sets the price,” said Broncos general manager John Elway. “That’s why it’s very difficult for them to accept something before free agency starts and very difficult for us. We don’t know what the market is.”

The only high-priced free agent assured of returning is wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. Each team gets to apply a franchise tag on one player, and for the Broncos, Demaryius Thomas is it.

Thomas will be handsomely paid in 2015. The tag will guarantee him an estimated $12.797 million based on the projected salary cap payroll of $143 million.

The bad news for Thomas? He was hoping free agency would land him a five-year contract worth $65 million to $80 million.

Absent a long-term deal, he may execute the common protest maneuver of sitting out the Broncos’ offseason conditioning program and organized team activities (OTAs) workouts. Both sides will try to work out a contract resolution before training camp.

But reaching accord will be difficult. Among the complicating factors for an elite wide receiver such as Thomas is the diminishing career lifespan of his quarterback, Peyton Manning.

The Broncos have 12 unrestricted free agents in all. Demaryius Thomas is the exception to the rule that the cheaper the player’s market value, the better chance he has of returning to the Broncos.

They will make serious attempts to re-sign inside linebacker Nate Irving, center Will Montgomery and tight ends Virgil Green and Jacob Tamme. Irving figures to test the market, with Denver expected to start Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall as inside linebackers. Green would take on a greater role as Julius Thomas probably departs and the offense continues to shift from Manning’s pass-heavy offense to new coach Gary Kubiak’s rush-oriented system.

“We like Virgil a lot,” Elway said. “He is a big part of what we do. He is kind of our rock.”

The team is hoping to replace free-agent slot receiver Wes Welker with younger alternatives, most notably Cody Latimer, who was drafted in the second round last year.

As for Julius Thomas, Knighton, Franklin and Moore, their market values will probably exceed what Denver is willing to pay. To understand this, it helps to have a bigger picture of a team’s payroll budget.

To keep a roster balanced, a team typically pays top-market value to only two O-linemen. Denver is already paying good money to left tackle Ryan Clady and right guard Louis Vasquez. Franklin would make three, or the odd man out.

Plus, there’s a question about whether Franklin, an enormous mauler-type blocker, would fit well with Kubiak’s zone-blocking system, which typically requires nimbler — and therefore smaller — linemen.

“He’s a good enough athlete to (play the zone), Elway said. “But I think that Orlando is going to get a lot of interest at tackle or guard. He finished strong. There’s going to be a lot of interest.”

Moore may get squeezed out by the hefty contracts the Broncos are paying to three other secondary members — cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris and strong safety T.J. Ward.

Hurting Knighton’s ability to stay is the Broncos are already paying $9.754 million to Von Miller this season and $7 million to DeMarcus Ware.

Julius Thomas is an unusual case. The Broncos tried last summer to re-sign the talented tight end to a five-year, $40 million contract extension that would have started in 2015. But he wasn’t comfortable with how the guaranteed money was structured and has decided to test the market.

Which is every free-agent player’s right.

“There’s going to be a lot of interest in a lot of our guys,” Elway said.

Mike Klis: mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis

Denver’s free-agent dozen

A look at the Broncos’ 12 unrestricted free-agent players:

Demaryius Thomas, wide receiver

He will stay on franchise tag that is now estimated at $12.79 million salary.

Julius Thomas, tight end

Probably gone. Jacksonville will be among the most aggressive pursuers.

Terrance Knighton, defensive tackle

Probably gone. Broncos want him back, but not for $7 million-plus per year.

Orlando Franklin, left guard

Probably gone. Broncos want him back, but not for $5 million-plus per year.

Rahim Moore, safety

Probably gone, but some chance he returns if market falls.

Wes Welker, slot receiver

Probably gone. Will bring his 890 career catches to another team.

Will Montgomery, center

Broncos want him back. Inexpensive and has zone-blocking experience.

Nate Irving, inside linebacker

Broncos will try to re-sign him, but he may test the market. He would be inexpensive and may fit better as 3-4 inside linebacker than Danny Trevathan or Brandon Marshall.

Virgil Green, tight end

Broncos will try to re-sign him. Will be inexpensive, and is a solid No. 2.

Jacob Tamme, tight end

Broncos will try to re-sign him. Will be inexpensive, and he’s evolved into special-teams leader.

Quinton Carter, safety

Probably gone. Good when healthy, but he has been mostly unhealthy.

Mitch Unrein, defensive tackle

Probably gone. The pride of Eaton was a solid four-year backup. Will be a solid backup for another team in 2015.