Denver Broncos 2019 roster overview: Offensive tackle

Ja’Wuan James

Age: 27
2019 salary cap hit: $8 million
Years under contract: 4

The Broncos haven’t even put on the pads yet, and already Von Miller has said that Ja’Wuan James is the best right tackle he’s gone up against in practice.

Again, if you read the first page of this post, you know that list is not overly long or illustrious, but still.

The Broncos actually attempted to acquire James in a trade with the Dolphins last year believe it or not, and now James will finally get a chance to suit up for the orange and blue on Sundays.

Although James is not the Joe Thomas of right tackles, destined for the Hall of Fame five years after he retires from football, he’s a really good tackle in this league and the Broncos — coming off of two straight losing seasons — were not in position to pitch their team’s rich tradition and history to get James to come at a discounted rate.

Before the Raiders decided their free agent pickup Trent Brown would be a right tackle, James had signed the richest deal for a right tackle in NFL history at four years, $51 million.

Sometimes you have to overpay to fix a problem.

The Broncos had done that in recent years (overpay to fix the right tackle spot) with guys who were just terrible, so getting a player who is at least good should stabilize the position.