Denver Broncos Need to Re-sign or Get These 5 Players

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin (74) pass rushes during the first quarter of the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Franklin was the highest-graded player from the divisional round playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Not the highest-graded offensive lineman, the highest-graded player.

Franklin took the move from right tackle to left guard and played incredibly well. He did have some struggles at times but that’s to be expected. A second off-season and season at left guard will do wonders for Franklin. The zone-blocking scheme that Kubiak is known for will help Franklin get even better at left guard. As will an improved Ryan Clady at left tackle, which also ties into the new blocking system.  There’s one other piece to this puzzle that will help Franklin and the offensive line: the return of Alex Gibbs as a consultant.

As for what Elway should do at right tackle, keep reading since I will cover that position in this piece.

But after Thomas, the most important in-house player to get back is Franklin.