Broncos’ No. 1 Priority is Offensive Line
No matter what, the chatter and rumors will persist for another two weeks.
Oh, yeah.
The only way to avoid it is to stay off social media and not listen to talk radio. Anytime a team cuts a player, “The Denver Broncos need to go after him.” “Don’t be surprised if the Broncos show interest in (insert player here.” “It would make sense for John Elway and the Broncos to go after (insert player here).”
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Until Peyton Manning makes his decision, the rumors will live on. The latest was that the quarterback wants the money of his restructure he and the Broncos are working on to go to a soon-to-be-former tight end. That’s total nonsense given Elway needs to fill at least two spots but potentially three on the offensive line. And the “reporter” responsible for this click bait also said the Broncos wanted Mike Shanahan as their head coach.
Know this: the most important aspect of free agency for Elway is the offensive line. To get specific: Right tackle, center and potentially left guard are the positions Denver will look at. Since Manning will return next season, it has to improve in all facets.
The hope is the move back to the zone-blocking scheme helps left tackle Ryan Clady. If Elway were to land say, right tackle Bryan Bulaga, that would allow Louis Vasquez to move back to his natural position of right guard.
Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos guard Louis Vasquez (65) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Until the offensive line is taken care of, nothing else matters. Demaryius Thomas won’t go anywhere. If he doesn’t get a long-term deal, he’ll get the franchise tag.
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Offensive line is the key. Once that aspect of the Broncos is taken care of, the next priority is defensive line. The outrage and shock over Terrance Knighton, allegedly, not returning to Denver makes sense until you hear what former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe said on Twitter: “Not paying 7 mil for a DL whose a 2 dn player, playing 25-35 snaps a game.” That’s more than likely the approach from Elway. So what will he do to replace Knighton?
Of course, Elway and the Broncos might think they have the answer at defensive line on their roster, but who knows other than Elway? Why can’t he give Broncos Country some hint? Will he try to get someone in free agency?
But the unquestioned No. 1 priority for Denver when free agency begins is the offensive line. Until that’s solved, the hyperbole and rumors can stop.