Clayton: Dennis Kelly is a viable option at right tackle for the Broncos

While the loss of right tackle Ja’Wuan for the season with a torn Achilles hurts the Broncos, Dennis Kelly might be a pretty good solution.

Kelly is 6-foot-8, 321 pounds and got good reviews from his play in Tennessee a season ago. He started 16 games last year and has started 47 games during his career. He’s played eight seasons. He’s 31 years old and still has some good football left.

The Philadelphia Eagles drafted him in the fifth round in 2012 and he ended up starting 10 games as a rookie. Though he’s been mostly a career backup, he has value.

In 2020, the Titans felt good enough about him that they gave him a three-year, $17.5 million contract. But the Titans did a lot of salary cap juggling this offseason, so they ended up cutting.

To have a blocker as good as Kelly being available this late in free agency is fortunate for the Broncos. Because of the eight percent reduction in the salary cap to $182.5 million, there were more 30-year-old and over guards and right tackles cut than in past years.

In Tennessee, Kelly was versatile enough to fill in at left tackle when Taylor Lewan served a four-game suspension. He’s also been versatile enough to play some guard.

The James injury was unfortunate and damaging. It’s going to probably lead to his release and his loss the $32 million remaining on his contract. But at least Dennis Kelly is an option if the Broncos like him.