The Denver Broncos are likely in the market for a new right tackle, or at least some better depth.
Following the news that the team would be without starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James for the 2020 season after he chose to opt-out, the team will march forward with Elijah Wilkinson penciled in as the starter at that position.
However, Wilkinson did have foot surgery this offseason and the team could be looking at acquiring a veteran presence in the event that Wilkinson’s foot does not respond favorably.
There are plenty of names out there that the team could pursue, but one other name is that of LaAdrian Waddle.
Undrafted out of Texas Tech in 2013, Waddle signed with the Detroit Lions and eventually became the team’s starting right tackle that season. He had a short run in Detroit but became a part of the New England Patriots in 2015. He chipped in off the bench several times for that team across four seasons and was part of two Super Bowl-winning squads.
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He signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills last season but a torn quadriceps in training camp would end his season before it even started. Since that day one year ago, Waddle has waited for his next chance.
That chance could be in Denver, a team that could use a guy that has made 31 starts in the NFL and just recently turned 29 years old. Other in-house names for the Broncos include the likes of Calvin Anderson and Jake Rodgers.
Anderson has yet to play in an NFL game and Rodgers has one career start. The Broncos may have confidence in one of those guys, but Waddle is much more experienced and it would cause no harm to sign him to a deal right now.
The Broncos would certainly need to check on the injury that Waddle suffered last summer and make sure he has made a full recovery. But if he has, why not give him, or one of the players on the list above, a shot?
Fans should expect the team to bring in an additional right tackle soon.