What Should The Broncos Do At Right Tackle?
By Tylor Walden
Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos right tackle Chris Clark (75) before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
With the new league year a month old, the Broncos could still be searching for answers on the offensive line, more notability the right tackle spot. The Broncos have taken a quieter approach to free agency, but it feels as if the major positions have not been taken care of. With the draft less than three weeks away, it seems like the Broncos will be using the ten picks they have this season to fill in most of the voids. Does this mean they should address the right tackle position in the draft?
That could be one way to address the right tackle position and it seems as the Broncos are already getting a head start by visiting privately with Pittsburgh University offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings. Clemmings is considered a top prospect at the position and it could benefit the Broncos to draft him because of his abilities at the position despite only playing on the offensive side of the football for two years. Ereck Flowers and D.J. Humphries are also some candidates that the Broncos could consider.
Another place for the Broncos to look is in free agency. Joe Barksdale is one big name out there that still has yet to sign with a team. He recently left Nashville without a deal after visiting with the Tennessee Titans. The St. Louis Rams are apparently still in the mix, but it would not surprise me if the Broncos jumped in, as they should try to, and see if they like what Joe Barksdale has to offer.
The other area in which the Broncos could look at right tackle are the in-house players. Chris Clark was the starting right tackle when the 2014 season began, but his lackluster performance demoted him to the bench while Louis Vasquez became the new right tackle. Are the Broncos willing to give Chris Clark another shot? That remains to be seen, but another player on the roster who could start is the Broncos third round draft pick from last season Michael Schofield. The right tackle out of Michigan spent the entire 2014 campaign on the inactive list. However, he has added on some weight and has new confidence to compete for the starting job. This could help the team because they could groom him into learning the zone-blocking scheme since he has not quite gotten on the field for a meaningful game. This could be a good alternative to go. Paul Cornick could be another option for the team at that position.
In my opinion, I think the Broncos could very well be set with what they have in-house. But it would not surprise me the least if they draft a tackle in order to compete. Chris Clark could be better fitted for the zone-blocking scheme and Michael Schofield could be ready to compete. It all depends on what Gary Kubiak decides to do at the position. But it will be a position that will be carefully watched when OTA’s and training camp begins.