Schlereth: Broncos tackles should use dubious label as motivation

Reflecting on the 2016 campaign thus far, Around the NFL writer Chris Wesseling compiled his list of the biggest free-agent flops of the season.

The good news? Brock Osweiler sits atop the list.

The bad? Denver Broncos offensive tackles Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson come in at No. 4.

The two tackles were heralded as upgrades at the position over last year’s starters Ryan Harris and Michael Schofield. Instead, Okung has earned middling grades from Pro Football Focus and Stephenson ranks among the bottom of the NFL in qualifying tackles.

But being on a bye this week, “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth said Thursday that he hopes Okung and Stephenson can “flip the script” and use this dubious label to motivate them for the final stretch of the season.

“I implore you guys to look at this. I implore you to let it motivate you. And I implore you to switch it around,” Schlereth said. “This is the bye week. Flip the script, and at the end of the day be the reason the Broncos offense actually started playing well.”

But the analysis that Okung and Stephenson are underperforming may be indicative a deeper issue with the Broncos and the offensive line, said “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mike Evans.

“If you’re put in a position where you have to bail out misses in your draft by trying to cover in free agency, that could really put you behind. And I think that’s what we’re seeing with the offensive line,” Evans said.

Evans said that Broncos general manager has been phenomenal since taking over the position in 2011 — going 71-29 through this first 100 games — but offensive line has been his Achilles heal.

“I think you can look at it and say they’ve really struggled not only figuring out who they should take but when they take them, developing those guys and making them viable players for us,” Schlereth said.

Of Elway’s eight draft picks along the offensive line since 2011, arguably only two have made a significant impact for the Broncos — tackle Orlando Franklin and Matt Paradis — Schlereth said.

Two — 2012 fourth-rounder Philip Blake and 2013 sixth-rounder Vinston Painter — did not play a regular season down for the Broncos, with 2016 fifth-rounder Connor McGovern also not having played but on the active roster.

And of the remaining three, Michael Schofield and Max Garcia have struggled at time, Schlereth said, while Ty Sambrailo has been hampered by injury.

“They have not been able to develop guys and get guys playing at a very high level. And this has been consistent. It goes all the way back since John has taken over,” Schlereth said.

Offensive linemen taken by John Elway since becoming general manager:

• 2011 — Orlando Franklins, Round 2 (46)
• 2012 — Philip Blake, Round 4 (108)
• 2013 — Vinston Painter, Round 6 (173)
• 2014 — Michael Schofield, Round 3 (95) / Matt Paradis, Round 6 (207)
• 2015 — Ty Sambrailo, Round 2 (59) / Max Garcia, Round 4 (133)
• 2016 — Connor McGovern, Round 5 (144)

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.