Denver Broncos: How does Brett Jones factor into offensive line?
The Denver Broncos signed veteran offensive lineman Brett Jones to fortify their interior offensive line. How can he be a factor for them?
The Denver Broncos made a few roster moves on the eve of 2021 training camp. One of those moves was to bring in former Colorado Buffaloes defensive back and 2017 fourth-round pick Tedric Thompson to add to an already loaded group.
Another was to bring in someone general manager George Paton is familiar with on the offensive line. The Denver Broncos signed veteran interior offensive lineman Brett Jones, who has played center and guard for both the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants since coming up to the NFL from the Canadian Football League.
We've signed S Tedric Thompson & C Brett Jones.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 27, 2021
Jones was taken in the second round of the 2013 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders with the 16th overall pick. Coming out of the University of Regina, Jones started in the CFL right away and won the league’s most outstanding rookie award in 2013 before winning the award for the league’s most outstanding offensive lineman in 2014.
He signed on with the Giants early in 2015 and wound up suffering a season-ending injury in his “rookie” NFL season. He then played 83 offensive snaps and started a game in the 2016 season for the Giants before becoming their full-time starter at center in 2017.
The Vikings traded for Jones in the 2018 preseason period and he opened the season as the starter, but was replaced when Pat Elflein came back from injury.
The Vikings used a first-round pick on NC State center Garrett Bradbury in 2019 and Jones spent most of the season on IR anyway.
In 2020, he returned to the field and started a couple of games for the Vikings, including playing some right guard.
How does Jones factor into the Denver Broncos’ rotation?
The team just used a draft pick on Quinn Meinerz, who can play center or guard. Guard is Meinerz’s more natural position, but the Broncos are cross-training him at center.
Lloyd Cushenberry III is the incumbent at center, but he struggled as a rookie.
Jones may be the same type of fail-safe as Teddy Bridgewater is at the quarterback position. It’s possible the Denver Broncos have long-term plans for Meinerz at right guard where Graham Glasgow is currently the starter.
If nothing else, Jones gives the Denver Broncos some valuable starting experience and a player who has proven that he is above average whenever called upon, whether as a relief player or full-time starter.
George Paton has now brought in a handful of former Vikings players to the Denver Broncos roster. He acquired Teddy Bridgewater in a trade and signed free agents Mike Boone, Shamar Stephen, and now Jones.