Broncos 2022 Training Camp Preview: Offensive tackles

The Denver Broncos could be in a Super Bowl window in 2022. They have moved on from head coach Vic Fangio and replaced him with an innovative offensive mind in Nathaniel Hackett. Gone is the out-of-date offense of Pat Shurmur, replaced by West Coast concepts and a Shanahan-type system all Broncos fans should be familiar with.

With Fangio’s defense gone, the Broncos went out and got a future head coach in new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. We should see a more aggressive Broncos defense, and a better Broncos defense because of better coaching and a better understanding of the modern game.

It’s not just the coaching changes that puts the Broncos in a Super Bowl window, it was the blockbuster trade for a superstar quarterback that general manager George Paton was able to execute. Paton traded with the Seattle Seahawks to secure the services of Russell Wilson. With Wilson under center, the Broncos offense should be one of the best in the league. With a high-powered offense led by Wilson, the defense will be playing with a lead – which means they’ll be able to get after the opposing quarterback in ways we haven’t seen since the team won Super Bowl 50.

This is the second year under the guidance of Paton, and the team has done a good job of adding quality players via free agency and the NFL Draft – even though they didn’t have a first-round pick due to the Wilson trade. However, there are questions that need answers before the start of the regular season. In this series at DenverFan.com, we will go through each position group searching for those answers during training camp.

This is the latest part in our Training Camp Preview. Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the offensive tackle position.

***

Starters: Garett Bolles (LT), Billy Turner (RT)

Garett Bolles is coming off a down season. In 2020, Bolles had the best season of his pro career. He quieted all the doubters and played at such a high level that the Broncos rewarded him with a new contract. In 2021, Bolles played a career low in snaps (870), but surrendered a career high in sacks (5.0).

Per Pro Football Focus, Bolles reverted from elite 90.6 grade in 2020 to mid-70s in 2021 – a grade like what he earned in 2018 and 2019. Sure, he’s no longer getting penalized ad nauseum, but Bolles needs to get back on track this season.

How does Bolles respond to the coaching of new offensive line coach Butch Barry? This is the biggest question around Bolles this season. Gone are former offensive line coach Mike Munchak and o-line assistant Chris Kuper. Those two were paramount in finding a way to get through to Bolles. Earlier in his career, Bolles was known as a high-maintenance player. Over the last couple of seasons, Bolles has improved – with many thanks going to Munchak and Kuper (and Bolles for maturing at the position).

Barry is known for being a yeller and a no-nonsense coach. I’m not sure Bolles will respond to that type of coaching. I hope he does, because he’s a good player and one of the most important Broncos players on the roster. I don’t mean to be hyperbolic, but I could tell you how far the Broncos go this year based off what players like Bolles do in 2022.

Billy Turner is not the same player he used to be when he was last with the Broncos. Way back in 2016, Turner was released by the Baltimore Ravens and the Broncos picked him up off waivers. He was with the team for a few years, but Turner became an unrestricted free agent in 2019 and the Broncos could not afford him. He was a good reserve player with the Broncos during that time, but the Green Bay Packers decided to sign him to a four-year, $28 million contract.

During his time with the Packers, Turner started 16 games at right guard (2019), 14 games at right tackle (2020), and 13 games at both right and left tackle (2021). Turner improved after he left the Broncos and is the best right tackle the Broncos have had in the last several years. Earlier this offseason, the Broncos decided to bring him back – but unfortunately it was only on a one-year contract. Turner is incredibly solid as a starter for one more year, and he could be moved around the line if injuries strike up front. His versatility makes him a coveted player, and I wish the Broncos had signed him longer than just for one more season. We’ll see what he can do with the team this year, but the turnstile that has been the right tackle position for the Broncos is done – Turner is a fine starter.

***

Reserves: Tom Compton, Calvin Anderson, Quinn Bailey, Sebastian Gutierrez, Casey Tucker

The Broncos have a talented collection of reserve tackles. The battles in training camp for the remaining spots on the offensive line will be heated. However, I believe two of these players standout from the rest. Behind those two, the Broncos have some intriguing candidates to continue their development on the practice squad.

Tom Compton could be a starter elsewhere in this league. With the Broncos, he’s a valuable backup who could push Turner for the starting job at right tackle. A sixth-round pick out of South Dakota in the 2012 NFL draft (Washington), Compton spent the last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Injuries forced him into the starting lineup in 2021 for seven games, and Compton finished the season as the no.4 run-blocking tackle according to Pro Football Focus. He’s well versed in this system with four of the seven pro teams he’s played for implementing some form of the Shanahan offense. The language and the responsibilities of the position are not too much for the seasoned veteran. If Turner struggles, or if injuries force Turner to the left side of the line we could see Compton thrive once again as a starter in this league.

Calvin Anderson is a perfect swing tackle for now, but he could be a trusted starter in the NFL soon. Anderson, an undrafted free agent for the New England Patriots in 2019, has been with the Broncos since October of his rookie season. Over the last two years, Anderson has started five games for the Broncos. Last year, Anderson set a career high in snaps played (172) starting three games and filling in for Bolles at left tackle. I’m curious to see how he fits in the zone-blocking concepts of the West Coast offense. Anderson looks more comfortable in pass protection and less so when it comes to run blocking. That makes him more of a left tackle than a right tackle, although he has the skill to do both. He’s a smart player who is getting better with time, and I think he’s got a good chance to make the final roster.

I’d like to see Quinn Bailey make the 53-man roster if possible. If not, then keeping him on the practice squad makes sense. He’s a special teams player who looked surprisingly solid when thrust into playing time for a brief time in 2021. Bailey can play left tackle, left guard, right guard, and right tackle. This versatility on the line and his special teams ability make him the type of player ever team needs on their roster. Undrafted out of Arizona State in 2019, Bailey has been with the Broncos ever since. He’s mostly been on the practice squad during that time but perhaps there’s enough room to keep him on the active roster this season.

Sebastian Gutierrez has a nice size/athleticism combination – and as a former wide receiver and basketball player in high school those traits show up on film. He’s a tenacious blocker who didn’t give up a lot of sacks at Minot State, and he helped blast open rushing lanes for the Beavers strong rushing attack. It’s quite a jump in talent from Minot State to the NFL, so Guitierrez is going to have to show he can handle opponents who are larger, faster and stronger than what he’s used to blocking. The Broncos picked him up as a priority free agent this year after the draft, and I think there’s enough raw skill there for him to wind up on the practice squad in 2022.

Casey Tucker was a late addition to the Broncos practice squad last year. He signed with the team after the Philadelphia Eagles released him in November and was with the Broncos for about a month. Denver decided to release him, and the Eagles picked him back up where Tucker got onto the field for 12 offensive snaps in Week 18. Tucker has bounced around the league, four times with the Eagles, he’s on his second stint with the Broncos, and he’s spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and the Detroit Lions. The Broncos wanted to take a longer look at Tucker this offseason, and his performance in training camp and the preseason will determine if Denver wants a longer look on the practice squad this season.

***

Summary

Protecting Wilson is priority No. 1 for the Broncos offensive line. This is a better group of tackles than Wilson had in Seattle, but every player who is starting or plays a down for the team needs to play better than they ever have before. The Broncos are in a Super Bowl window with Wilson as their quarterback, but bad play from the tackles could doom this team – so performing at a high level is a must. The key is Barry, and the new offensive line coach has some big shoes to fill. If his coaching style is accepted by these players, then the Broncos line could thrive and help lead the way for one of the league’s most explosive offenses with Wilson at the helm.

***

Follow @CecilLammey