Would the Denver Broncos be better served to go with Elijah Wilkinson or Demar Dotson at right tackle in 2020?
After the decision from Ja’Wuan James to opt-out of the upcoming season, the Broncos were looking for more options at the right tackle position. They opted for a player with a ton of playing experience when they decided to sign Demar Dotson.
Dotson has spent the past 11 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Broncos have other offensive linemen in the fold, but the right tackle position should go to either Dotson or Elijah Wilkinson.
Wilkinson was in line to potentially take the starting left tackle spot from Garett Bolles this summer, but that no longer appears to be in the cards. However, he does have a leg up on Dotson having spent the past three seasons with the Broncos’ organization.
But does that familiarity outweigh the vast experience of Dotson?
Dotson has played in 130 career games compared to 36 for Wilkinson. However, Wilkinson has the younger, fresher legs and is probably the more athletic player of the two at this point in their careers.
With Dotson, you have experience. But he’s also 34 years old. In Wilkinson, you have a 25-year old player who could have his best football in front of him.
The Broncos have a choice between vastly different players, and having no preseason to watch them out on the field against other opponents will make a big difference and likely hamper Dotson’s chances to win the job.
In all likelihood, the Broncos will open the season with Wilkinson as the starting right tackle but he could be on a short leash and the team would then have Dotson to turn to. The Broncos should keep both players on the roster as the depth behind them is shaky at best.
The right tackle position will be one of the key spots to watch all season with this Broncos team.