Broncos 2021 Free Agency Preview: Offensive Guards

When the NFL free agency kicks off on March 17, the Broncos figure to be very active. For one, they have a lot of holes to fill, so there are plenty of reasons to go shopping. In addition, Denver has a new general manager, as George Paton will want to put an immediate stamp on his new team.

Currently, the Broncos are $39 million under the 2021 salary cap, but that number could grow a ton, depending on what Paton decides to do with high-priced veterans. Von Miller, Jurrell Casey and Bryce Callahan are just some of the names who could be let go to free up space to sign new faces, with more than $60 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 could use some help – offensive guard. Denver’s starters are set heading into the season, with Dalton Risner on the left side and Graham Glasgow on the right. Risner will be a fixture in orange and blue for years to come, but Glasgow’s four-year, $44-million deal is something the team could exit after this season. Thus, finding depth for now and a potential starter for the future might be a good course of action.

***

Top Five Available

1. Brandon Scherff – Clearly the best guard on the market, the four-time Pro Bowl selection is coming off of an All-Pro season in Washington. As a result, he’s going to command big money on the open market. Spotrac.com projects that Scherff will secure a deal in the neighborhood of five-years for $64 million. That’s pricey, but the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft won’t turn 30 until December and he’s played at a high level in each of his six seasons in the league.

2. Joe Thuney – Since joining the Patriots as a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Thuney has been a fixture in New England’s lineup. He’s started all 80 games during his five-year career, mostly at guard. He does have the ability to play tackle, as well, which makes him a nice, versatile option for whoever signs him. Whoever does won’t get him cheap, as he’ll probably score a contract as big, if not bigger, than Scherff, given that he’s a year younger and is much more durable.

3. Jon Feliciano – After being a fourth-round pick of the Raiders in 2015, Feliciano was mostly a reserve during his four years in Oakland. That didn’t keep the Bills from signing him as a free agent, however, as Buffalo made him an immediate starter in 2019. Feliciano started all 16 games that season, as well as nine this past year before getting injured. He’s developed into a very solid guard, someone that can be plugged into the lineup and not worried about.

4. Nick Easton – After signing as an undrafted free agent out of Harvard, Easton caught on with the Vikings in 2016. He saw action that season at center, starting five games. The next season, Minnesota moved him to guard, where he started 12 games. The next year, Easton landed in New Orleans. During his two years with the Saints, he appeared in 22 games and started 15. He’s not a Pro Bowl-caliber player. But he’s a solid starter and a versatile interior offensive lineman.

5. Lane Taylor – The past two seasons, Taylor has been jinxed by the injury bug. In 2019, he played in just two games before suffering a season-ending biceps injury. And this past year, he played in one game before missing the rest of the season with a knee injury. So there definitely is a risk with this signing. Prior to that, however, Taylor was a mainstay in the Packers lineup. From 2016-18, he started 45 out of 48 games, helping to protect Aaron Rodgers.

***

Realistic Options for the Broncos

1. Michael Schofield – Schofield was a third-round pick of the Broncos in 2014, but he lasted only three years in Denver. In part, that’s because the Broncos tried to make him a tackle, something the Michigan product was equipped to handle. At guard, he’s much steadier. He started all 16 games during his final season in orange and blue. Since departing, he started 37 games with the Chargers and three with the Panthers. Schofield is a solid, low-cost option at guard.

2. D.J. Fluker – Fluker was the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, but he flamed out as a tackle in San Diego. The Chargers moved him to guard and he flourished. After four seasons, he bounced from the Giants to the Seahawks and then the Ravens. He’s mostly been a starter during that time, but not mainstay. Thus, he’d be a good option for a team looking for a veteran backup, especially one who can move to the outside and play tackle in a pinch.

3. Austin Schlottmann – Sometimes, it’s better to stick with someone who is familiar. That’s what the Broncos could do if they retained Schlottmann. During his two seasons in Denver, the TCU product was solid during his six opportunities to start. In those games, Schlottmann held up well. He only had one penalty, a sign that he didn’t hurt his team. The fact that he can play all along the offensive line, on both sides, makes him a very good signing.

Related

Bo Nix happy with ‘solid’ first TD drive, says return ‘was like riding a bike’Sean Payton unhappy after Packers demolish Broncos, sends message to startersBroncos waste no time getting Jaylen Waddle involved in his preseason debutBo Nix throws a TD, leads two scoring drives in return from broken ankleBroncos CB Moss leaves game with rib injuryNuggets sign six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan