Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos 2018 NFL Draft needs and offseason priorities

By Sayre Bedinger

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins throws the ball in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins throws the ball in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 03: Offensive guard Max Garcia #73 of the Denver Broncos defends the line of scrimmage against the Arizona Cardinals during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 3, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Cardinals defeated the Broncos 22-20. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 03: Offensive guard Max Garcia #73 of the Denver Broncos defends the line of scrimmage against the Arizona Cardinals during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 3, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Cardinals defeated the Broncos 22-20. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Left Guard

Currently Under Contract

Max Garcia
Connor McGovern
J.J. Dielman
Ron Leary

Similar to the Broncos’ situation at quarterback, they have a very favorable situation at left guard as far as options to fix it.

First of all, they could move Ron Leary back there, since that was the position he played in Dallas that made him a highly sought after free agent last year. Of course, if the Broncos moved Leary back to left guard, it would create a hole at right guard.

Of the players listed, I don’t know that any is the long-term answer at either of the guard positions opposite wherever Leary ends up playing.

Assuming Leary stays at right guard, the Broncos have plenty of options either in free agency or the draft to fill this hole.

In free agency, one of the better players expected to be available is Carolina Panthers left guard Andrew Norwell. There are also players like Justin Pugh, who is sort of a ‘jack of all trades’ type of lineman, that could be available from the Giants.

In the draft, the Broncos have plenty of options, starting with that fifth overall pick and Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson, if they fill the quarterback hole prior to the draft.

If they have to go QB at number five overall, they could target UTEP’s Will Hernandez, whose former head coach in college is now an assistant coach with the Broncos.

This draft has a lot of really good interior line players outside of Nelson and Hernandez, and we’ll dive more into that in the coming months.

Like the quarterback position, this is an area the Broncos could address in either free agency or the draft but that will be determined obviously by the fallout of Kirk Cousins’ decision.

Home/Broncos Draft