If the Denver Broncos end up losing Shaquil Barrett, it won't be for naught.

Per Nick Kosmider of the Denver Post, the team is likely to slap a second-round tender on the restricted free-agent linebacker prior to March 14, the start of the new league year.

The tender, essentially a one-year contract, is worth about $2.9 million, peanuts for a 25-year-old edge player not yet in his prime. Should an outside club agree to an offer sheet with Barrett, the Broncos would have seven days to match, or decline and receive a second-round draft pick.

The deadline for RFAs to sign offer sheets is April 20.

A former undrafted free agent, Barrett has blossomed into a disruptive defender for the Broncos, posting 11 sacks across three seasons, mostly in a backup capacity. He filled in admirably in 2017 after starting OLB Shane Ray missed eight games with a wrist injury. The Broncos, speaking of which, also have to decide whether to pick up Ray's fifth-year option for 2019.

In other words, they cannot retain all three of Barrett, Ray and Von Miller, who carries a team-high $22.5 million salary cap number. Not with pressing needs throughout the roster, including quarterback, and limited money to spend.

Using a second-round tender, as opposed to a first-rounder, is the right call as it theoretically keeps Barrett under the Broncos' control for cheap. And it's attractive enough to lure in other teams that need a pass-rusher -- the logic being, he's a safer option than gambling on an unproven rookie.

It's a win-win; either Barrett sticks around or Denver gets a nice consolation prize.