Denver Broncos Looking to Overhaul Offensive Line in 2015
The Denver Broncos are looking to overhaul their offensive line for the 2015 season. In 2014, the Broncos had to replace one starter (left guard Zane Beadles), but they ended up shuffling their offensive line more than once and in more than one spot.
They moved long-time right tackle Orlando Franklin into Beadles' old position. Franklin initially seemed to object to the move, but he ended up starting inside for the entire year.
The Broncos began the season with Chris Clark in Franklin's old spot outside at right tackle. He struggled during the year, so the Broncos moved right guard Louis Vasquez to Clark’s spot.
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Vasquez’s spot was filled by the guy who began the season as the starting center—Manny Ramirez. In the middle, veteran Will Montgomery took over for Ramirez.
Throw in some playing time for guys such as Paul Cornick and Ben Garland, and it’s easy to see the Broncos' struggles up front.
One of several coaching moves the Broncos made this offseason was to make tight ends coach Clancy Barone their offensive line coach.
Barone had spent the previous five years coaching Denver's tight ends, but he has plenty of experience working with the big guys up front. Barone spent his first 17 years working with offensive lines at the collegiate level before beginning his NFL coaching career with the Atlanta Falcons in 2004 as their assistant offensive line coach.
Zone blocking is the new name of the game for the Broncos. They had zone-blocking concepts over the last two years, but they will be even more entrenched in that style under Barone and new head coach Gary Kubiak.
Let’s examine the current players on the roster, the free-agent class and the incoming draft class to see how the Broncos offensive line could take shape this offseason.
Left Tackle
The most important position on Denver’s offensive line is manned by one of the best. Ryan Clady is a fantastic left tackle, and he does a great job protecting Peyton Manning’s blind side.
Even better, Clady is perfect for a zone-blocking system. His footwork is outstanding, and he can move well laterally after the snap. Clady does a good job of redirecting defenders, and the new system in Denver is better for him than any power-blocking scheme.
Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, part of the staff when Clady was drafted in 2008, is happy to be working with the talented left tackle again.
"I was obviously a part of the group that drafted him, and the two years that I was with him he played very well," Dennison said. "He’s got a great talent, and, like the rest of the guys, we'll get him going in the right direction, make sure everyone’s on the same page, and play hard and play fast."
Behind Clady, the team could use Clark at swing tackle. In 2012, Clady missed most of the season with a foot injury he suffered in Week 2 against the New York Giants. Clark filled in outside at left tackle, and he was a good starter for the most part. Yes, he struggles with elite edge-rushers, but Clark has the athleticism to work well when zone blocking.
Clark has a cap hit of only $1.6 million (with $225,666 in dead money), but his position versatility likely keeps him around in 2015 as a reserve player.
Free agents: No need at the position.
2015 NFL draft: No need at the position.
Left Guard
The Broncos are going to be looking for a new left guard this offseason. Both Franklin and Garland are unrestricted free agents.
Franklin spent most of his pro career outside at right tackle, but he proved he could play inside at guard as well. Now that he’s set to hit the open market, Franklin could be looking for a team that wants to move him back outside to tackle.
Garland has a great work ethic, but he has backup-level talent. The Broncos could be interested in bringing him back to fill that role, and Garland’s price tag is unlikely to be outrageous.
An out-of-the-box player to consider here is Michael Schofield.
The Broncos added Schofield in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. The Michigan Wolverines lineman spent most of his career at right tackle (26 starts), but he did have 10 starts at left guard.
If the Broncos add a free-agent right tackle (or add one with a premium pick in the draft), they could see Schofield as more of an inside player at the pro level. If they add a starting guard via the draft or free agency, then Schofield could get a chance to start outside at right tackle.
Free agents: Mike Iupati (San Francisco 49ers)
2015 NFL draft: A.J. Cann (second round, South Carolina), John Miller (third round, Louisville)
Center
Denver has been looking for a set-it-and forget-it center for quite a while. Ever since Tom Nalen retired in 2009, the Broncos haven't found a long-term center.
Ramirez is better suited as a guard, but he’s an odd fit in a zone-blocking system. With a cap number of $3.1 million—with only $166,668 in dead money—Ramirez is a candidate to get released this offseason.
Montgomery signed a one-year deal last offseason. He did a good job as the team’s starter, and he has plenty of experience working in a zone-blocking system. To bring him back for 2015 would make a lot of sense. Montgomery is not a long-term answer, but he could work well on a short-term deal, and his price tag won't be too high.
Matt Paradis is also in the mix here. The Broncos added Paradis in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft, but he spent all of his rookie season on the team’s practice squad. At 6’3” and 300 pounds, Paradis has the right combination of size and athleticism to compete for a starting job in a zone-blocking system.
Free agents: Will Montgomery (Denver Broncos), Rodney Hudson (Kansas City Chiefs)
2015 NFL draft: Reese Dismukes (second round, Auburn), Andy Gallik (third/fourth round, Boston College)
Right Guard
Outside of left tackle, the only other position on the offensive line the Broncos don't need to worry about is right guard. We should see Vasquez move back to the position he was an All-Pro at in 2013 for the Broncos.
Vasquez is a strong player who plays with functional strength and understands leverage. He will regularly move his man out of the way quickly and cleanly. Vasquez has the lateral agility to work well as a zone blocker.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Vasquez named to the All-Pro team again in 2014.
Free agents: No need at the position.
2015 NFL draft: No need at the position.
Right Tackle
The first pick for the Broncos in the 2015 NFL draft could be a new right tackle—or one of the top free agents the Broncos add will be a right tackle.
Schofield could be an option here, but the Broncos could do better.
In the draft, we could see as many as six or seven offensive tackles go off the board in the first round. The Broncos could go ahead and select a potential starter at right tackle with the 28th overall pick. If they want to, moving up a bit in the draft is not out of the question. The talent level dwindles in the second round, but there could be a good option available if Daryl Williams is still on the board.
In free agency, Doug Free would make a lot of sense. Free worked well in the zone-blocking system with the Dallas Cowboys. His experience would come in handy on a team that is in arguably the last year of its Super Bowl window.
A long shot at the position could be Ryan Harris. Originally a third-round pick for the Broncos in the 2007 NFL draft, Harris used to be bookended opposite Clady. He’s bounced around the league since the Broncos released him in 2010—complete with a return to Denver in 2012—and played last year for the Kansas City Chiefs. Harris is not a power blocker, but he's good in zone blocking.
Free agents: Doug Free (Dallas Cowboys), Ryan Harris (Kansas City Chiefs)
2015 NFL draft: Ereck Flowers (first round, Miami), Ty Sambrailo (first/second round, Colorado State), Daryl Williams (second round, Oklahoma)
Summary
The Broncos have a new direction in 2015 under Kubiak, but their goal is the same as it always has been: They want to win a Super Bowl.
According to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com, the Broncos are looking for at least three new starters on the offensive line this year. It may not be as "sexy" as adding skill-position players or elite pass-rushers, but many of the Broncos' moves this offseason may be to the offensive line.
In order to put their best foot forward, the Broncos need to find the right players up front. That will involve the right moves in free agency and the right picks in the NFL draft. Denver has a whole team to construct, but the foundation of the offensive line is the most critical part of the construction.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via Broncos media department unless otherwise noted.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac.com. Transaction history provided by ProSportsTransactions.com. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.
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