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Denver Broncos: 3 positions that could use more depth after 2021 NFL Draft

By Graham Tiedtke

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos passes against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos passes against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Calvin Anderson, Denver Broncos
Aug 21, 2020; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (76) stretches during training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

The Denver Broncos came out of the 2021 NFL Draft looking very good on paper, as they added some depth pieces and some players that will hopefully make a contribution to the team sooner rather than later.

There unfortunately were some mistakes they made.

There are still some positions on the team that don’t have a good amount of depth, especially with some things transpiring recently.

Let’s start off with one position the team has not gotten right for a number of years.

Right Tackle

Even though the Broncos were never going to be able to see the immediate future, they should have planned better for Ja’Wuan James insurance. The Broncos’ right tackle ended up tearing his Achilles while working out on his own and will miss the 2021 season.

Denver drafted one lineman in Quinn Meinerz but the Wisconsin-Whitewater player, known as The Gut, is suited for guard or center. That does not solve the right tackle situation. Calvin Anderson is currently expected to start the season in James’ place, but that could change soon with the team expected to look at the free-agent market for a better option.

Following the 2021 NFL Draft, general manager George Paton acknowledged that the team wanted some of the tackles from within those three days, but were unable to make it happen. That ultimately has come to haunt the team. They like Anderson, but if they had the chance to get a top-tier tackle in the draft, they should have done it.

Heck, they traded up for a running back! (I love the Javonte Williams pick but the way they made that happen doesn’t sit well).

Now it is time for the team to either sign a quality starter or have the utmost confidence in Anderson. Either way, the fact that they didn’t draft a tackle was, in my opinion, a huge mistake.

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