Pre-Free Agency Re-Signings May Force Broncos to Look for Next RT in Draft

The Denver Broncos have to find three new starters on the offensive line this offseason. On the “to-do” list includes netting a new center, left guard and right tackle.

With free agency officially starting on Tuesday, the Broncos might have had to change their plans at right tackle due to a couple of players re-signing with their respective teams.

On Saturday, it was reported that Derek Newton signed a contract to stay with the Houston Texans. Newton agreed to a five-year, $26.5 million contract with $10 million guaranteed and an average annual salary of $5.3 million. That’s a good price for a player who has worked hard during his pro career to become a decent starter.

It was also reported on Saturday that Doug Free would be staying with the Dallas Cowboys. Free agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract with $6 million guaranteed and an average annual salary of $5 million. This is a bit of a hometown discount for a player who might have been able to get a little bit more from another team.

These pre-free agency signings may force the Broncos to look for a right tackle in the 2015 NFL draft. Let’s take a look at who is still out there and which right tackles the Broncos could be targeting with the premium pick.

Free Agents Still Available

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Even though two potential targets for the Broncos are off the board, there are still free agents who could fill the need at right tackle.

Bryan Bulaga is arguably the best right tackle on the open market. He turns 26 years old later this month, and he was a standout for the Packers in 2014. Bulaga has come back from a couple of knee injuries—and a few other nagging injuries—but those injury concerns may not keep his price tag down.

Tom Silverstein, from the Journal Sentinel, reports Bulaga could be seeking a deal that pays him $7-8 million annually. The report also indicates teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Jacksonville Jaguars could have strong interest in the veteran right tackle. If any sort of bidding war starts for Bulaga, the Broncos won’t be able to stay in it for long.

Ryan Harris could come back to Denver for a third time. Playing for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014, Harris is at least a quality swing tackle with a ton of experience in the zone-blocking system. Injuries have slowed him down, but when healthy Harris can be counted on as a spot starter.

Originally a third-round pick for the Broncos in the 2007 NFL draft, Harris was once considered a bookend tackle opposite Ryan Clady in Denver. The team released him in 2011, but Harris returned to Denver in 2012 after playing for the Eagles for a year. He moved on to the Texans in 2013, where he ended up starting three games, and then finally he went to the Chiefs. Bringing Harris back again gives the team veteran depth at the position and a player they could turn to as a starter if need be—all for what would likely be a low price.

A Starter From The Draft

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Arguably the best option for the Broncos at this point is to find a starting right tackle in the 2015 NFL draft. They could be looking for a starter in the first or second round this year.

In the first round, there might be as many as six or seven tackles off the board. It’s a talent-rich class at the position, and the Broncos might have to move up from the 28th spot if they have their heart set on a certain player.

Their top target could be La’El Collins (LSU). Playing both guard and left tackle in college, Collins stayed for his senior season despite earning a first-round grade from the NFL advisory committee after his junior year.

Collins is a powerful player who can control the point of attack. Measuring in at 6’5” and 308 pounds, he’s surprisingly light on his feet for a big man. Collins can regularly be counted on as a “sticky blocker” at the second level of the defense, and he has little trouble latching on to a moving target. The Broncos may not be able to get Collins at 28th overall as he could be a top-15 pick in the draft.

Ereck Flowers (Miami) could be a target for the Broncos in the first round. Flowers weighs more than Collins (325 pounds), but he’s still fluid and agile for the position.

At Miami, Flowers played in an offense that featured zone-blocking concepts. He plays with good quickness and balance in one-on-one situations, and he moves well laterally after the snap. His wide frame makes it difficult for defenders to get around him in pursuit of the quarterback. Flowers could be off the board with a top-20 pick, so the Broncos might have to move up around 10 spots if they want him.

If they wait until the second round of the draft, players like Ty Sambrailo (Colorado State) and Daryl Williams (Oklahoma) could be options.

Summary

Finding a right tackle for the right price may prove to be difficult with the way this market is shaping up. This may force the Broncos' hand when it comes to finding a starter at the position.

Bulaga is a fine player—but he’s a top target for too many teams and could easily be out of the Broncos' price range. Parnell is a great option, but the teams that miss out on Bulaga are going to come calling and that should raise his price tag. Harris makes a lot of sense, but Denver would have to insure they have enough talent at the position given his injury history.

The draft seems to be the way to go—but Denver may need to move up in the first round.

Under the watch of general manager John Elway, the Broncos have never done that before. They’ve stayed put for Von Miller (2011), moved out of the first round in 2012, drafted what they thought was a value pick in Sylvester Williams (2013) and found a quality corner in Bradley Roby (2014).

Denver will do what is necessary to put the best offensive line in front of Peyton Manning. It’s unlikely that Elway would hesitate to move up in the draft if he needed to in order to land the player at the top of the team's board.

As the draft approaches, we’ll gather more information about which direction the Broncos could go. As of right now, things are shaping up for the Broncos to select a right tackle in the first or second round of the draft.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.