Broncos Draft Reports: La’el Collins and T.J. Clemmings

Sep 13, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers offensive linesman T.J. Clemmings (68) takes a drink on the sidelines in the fourth quarter in a game against the FIU Golden Panthers at FIU Stadium. Pitt won 42-25. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

There is bad news and good news regarding the Denver Broncos offensive line. The bad news is, they need some help.

Arguably their best offensive lineman – strictly going on last season’s performance – in Orlando Franklin went to division rival San Diego. Louis Vasquez had an up and down season even before he was forced to move to right tackle. Ryan Clady may never return to his peak form before he was lost in the 2013 season due to a Lisfranc injury. The center position is up in the air since Manny Ramirez played abysmal and Will Montgomery, who played decently, is 32 and a free agent. Finally, Chris Clark was a bust after he was named the starting right tackle at the start of the 2014 season.

Right now, I think the Broncos offensive line projects to look a little something like this (from left to right): Clady – Shelley Smith – Ben Garland – Vasquez – Clark. That’s pretty damn terrifying if you ask me.

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Ramirez is still under contract, tackle Paul Cornick was tendered, and the Broncos still have their draftees from last year in tackle/guard Michael Schofield and center Matt Paradis.

There will be competition and there will be lots of it.

Luckily, the good news is the draft is considered to be somewhat top heavy at the tackle position, even if there’s no visible “elite” option.

Two guys I have evaluated so far include Pittsburgh’s T.J. Clemmings and LSU’s La’el Collins. Both could be options for the Broncos come April 30.

The following slides include my notes while watching these two players and I also included some Vines, highlighting things that both impressed me and things they need to work on.

For reference, in these Vines Clemmings is right tackle #68 and Collins is left tackle #70.

Let’s get started.