Broncos 2022 Free Agency Preview: Can the Broncos solve RT issue?
Feb 22, 2022, 7:13 AM
When the NFL free agency kicks off on March 16, the Broncos figure to be one of the most-active teams in the league. On the heels of a fifth-straight losing season, they have plenty of holes to fill. And with a new head coach coming in, they’ll need to tweak the roster to fit what Nathaniel Hackett wants to do.
Currently, the Broncos are roughly $40 million under the 2022 salary cap, but that number could grow a ton, depending on what George Paton decides to do with high-priced veterans. Mike Purcell, Daesean Hamilton and Sam Martin are just some of the names who could be let go to free up space to sign new faces, with more than $50 million potentially available.
How should the Broncos put all of those dollars to use? In the weeks leading up to the start of free agency, we’ll offer a position-by-position breakdown of the best players projected to be on the open market, as well as analysis of who would be a realistic fit in Denver.
It continues today with a position where the Broncos have been in search of answers for years – offensive tackle. Specifically, they’ve been looking for a right tackle. Garett Bolles has mostly done the job on the left side. But opposite of the former first-round pick, Denver has struggled. They’ve drafted Ty Sambrailo and Michael Schofield. Both flopped. They signed Melenik Watson, Donald Stephenson and Ja’Wuan James. All three were swings and misses. It’s been a never-ending search, one that remains near the top of the to-do list in 2022.
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Top Five Available
1. Terron Armstead – Three of the last four seasons, this former third-round pick has been a Pro Bowl selection in New Orleans. He also earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2018. So he’s been playing at a high level. There is some concern about his health, given his age. He missed eight games last season due to injury and will turn 31 in July. But for a team looking for an immediate answer, someone who can play at a high level, Armstead will be worth the nearly $24 million per year he’s projected to demand.
2. Orlando Brown Jr. – Lots and lots of upside. That’s the best way to describe Brown, a young player who is just starting to hit his potential. He’ll turn 26 in May, with three straight Pro Bowl seasons on his resume. That makes him an attractive option in free agency. He could be the long-term solution for any team looking for tackle help, as he can play both the left and right side. His market value is projected to be five years and $116 million, a contract he’ll probably get on the open market.
3. Morgan Moses – After seven years in Washington, Moses spent the 2021 season with the Jets. Once again, he proved to be a reliable, versatile, durable option. For the seventh-consecutive year, Moses appeared in every game, an amazing streak for a player who toils in the trenches. He’ll turn 31 in May, so age is working against him a bit. And he’s never played at an elite level, with zero Pro Bowls on his resume. But he’s a steady player who takes the field every Sunday.
4. Eric Fisher – The former No. 1 overall pick has had an interesting career. In some circles, he’s considered a bust, having never lived up to the hype that comes with going at the top of the draft. Through another lens, however, he’s been successful, having earned a couple of Pro Bowl trips in a career that will hit the 10-year mark in 2022. That’s nothing to scoff at in the NFL. Fisher isn’t a great player, but he is consistent and reliable. And he can play either side, making him a versatile option.
5. Trent Brown – Brown has bounced around during his seven years in the NFL. He started with the 49ers, went to the Patriots, signed with the Raiders and then returned to New England. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. During that time, Brown has enjoyed some success, highlighted by a Pro Bowl nod during the 2019 season. But he’s also had some issues. He fell out of favor in Las Vegas and has had trouble staying healthy. During his career, Brown has only played in all 16 games in two out of eight seasons.
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Realistic Options for the Broncos
1. Germain Ifedi – During his six seasons in Seattle and Chicago, Ifedi has been in search of a permanent home. The Seahawks and Bears have both tried him at guard and tackle, with varying degrees of success. But last season in the Windy City, the former first-round pick finally started to look comfortable at right tackle. His season was cut short by injuries, but Ifedi appears to have found his home on the o-line.
2. Bobby Massie – Was Massie great for the Broncos in 2021? No. But for the first time in years, the right tackle position wasn’t a revolving door in Denver. It wasn’t a constant source of drama. It wasn’t a huge concern on a weekly basis. That was because of Massie, who was steady in his 13 starts at that position. The Broncos might just want to stick with what they know in 2022.
3. Nate Solder – For most of his 10-year career, the former first-round pick has been a left tackle. Last season, the Giants moved him to the right side, however, and he looked more comfortable. At one point, Solder was an elite player. He no longer is. Thus, the former Buena Vista high school and University of Colorado star has transformed into a right tackle, where he’ll finish out his career.
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OTHER FREE AGENCY PREVIEWS
Quarterbacks – Read
Running Backs – Read
Wide Receivers – Read
Tight Ends – Read
Centers – Read
Guards – Read
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