Denver Broncos: Options to replace RT Ja’Wuan James

Riley Reiff, Minnesota Vikings

Now we enter trade territory.

If you want to find a capable replacement for the high-priced Ja’Wuan James, you might have to give something up in a trade to get it done.

Even though John Elway is a tough negotiator in free agent contracts, he has made some shrewd trades in his time, and it could be time for another.

The Minnesota Vikings have certainly not made Riley Reiff overly available in a trade, but actions speak much louder than words.

Reiff has two years left on his contract with the Vikings, and Minnesota just used a second-round draft choice on Boise State left tackle Ezra Cleveland.

With Cleveland the clear choice moving forward for the Vikings and Brian O’Neill establishing himself on the other side of the line, Reiff might be able to be had for a price, especially since he’s going to count more than $13 million on the Vikings’ cap over the next two seasons.

Reiff does have experience at the right tackle position, and interestingly enough, he also has experience with new Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.

The Vikings signed Reiff to a five-year deal in 2017, Shurmur’s first year as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator.

Reiff also played one year with new Broncos right guard Graham Glasgow in Detroit (2016).

Combine all of that with the fact that Broncos GM John Elway has an obvious relationship and connection with Vikings offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, and you could have the perfect recipe for a deal to get done.

At the age of 31, Reiff might be one of the top options the Broncos could realistically obtain at this point in time.