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Denver Broncos: Top shelf free agent targets in 2020

By Matthew Nagashima

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 24: Jack Conklin #78 of the Tennessee Titans blocks during the first half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 42-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 24: Jack Conklin #78 of the Tennessee Titans blocks during the first half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 42-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

2. Jack Conklin – OT

It’s no secret that Garett Bolles has experienced his share of growing pains since coming to the Broncos as a first-round pick in 2017. Denver is potentially looking for an answer or upgrade at LT, and Jack Conklin could be just the guy.

At 25 years old, he already has a First Team All-Pro nod on his resume, and posted a rock solid 78.0 PFF grade last season.

More importantly, he limits mistakes and over four years has averaged just six penalties a season. Compare that to Bolles’ average of 15 penalties per season, and you’ll see why Conklin would be a massive upgrade at LT. His pass protection also significantly outperforms Bolles’ with an average of just 3 sacks/year, as opposed to 4.6 sacks/year.

Conklin has been started as a right tackle with the Titans, largely due to Taylor Lewan’s success. However, he almost exclusively played left tackle at Michigan State with 35/38 starts on the blind side. He could very well flip back over to the Left and bookend the line with a presumably healthy Ju’Wuan James at RT.

With his age and positional value mean he’ll require a big, long term contract offer, the Broncos are only paying their O-Line $22 million overall (29th league-wide) , and can afford to shore up a position of need.

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