Hodgins

The Denver Broncos may have found a replacement for retired fullback Howard Griffith by signing the Rams' James Hodgins to an offer sheet Monday.

For cap purposes, the Broncos made the deal a seven-year arrangement, but in reality it is a five-year deal for $5.5 million that includes a two-tiered signing bonus of $1.1 million. The $1.1 million signing bonus is spread over the first two years of the contract.

The Rams have until Friday -- the eve of the draft -- to match the offer. Because he went to the Rams as an undrafted free agent, the Rams wouldn’t receive a draft choice if they decided not to match the offer sheet.

Hodgins, who turns 25 on April 20, was signed by the Rams after the 1999 draft.

Matching the offer becomes an interesting decision for the Rams. The only two running backs they have under contract are halfbacks Marshall Faulk and Trung Canidate. Hodgins, a restricted free agent, is the only fullback and the team would have to match the offer to keep him.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.