Denver Broncos free agency predictions: Filling the gaps in 2022
Denver Broncos free agency predictions: Right tackle
The right tackle position has been a consistent revolving door for the Denver Broncos since Orlando Franklin left for the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.
In NFL terms, that was a lifetime ago.
The Broncos just had their best right tackle play in some time during the 2021 season when Bobby Massie stepped in as the primary starter. Still, injuries caused that position to be a revolving door and a long-term option is still needed here.
Given the depth of the 2022 NFL Draft at the offensive tackle position, I think we’ll see the Broncos go surprisingly conservative at right tackle. At least, it might feel that way.
The top free agent right tackle is probably Morgan Moses, who would make a lot of sense for the Broncos given his history in this type of offense. Moses has a connection on the Broncos’ coaching staff in Jake Moreland, who was an assistant offensive line coach with the Jets last year before joining the Broncos as tight ends coach in 2022.
The scheme fit and coaching connection are both there, but Moses would also represent just another bandage type of situation at the position.
It will be fascinating to see if George Paton throws a late-round pick at the Dallas Cowboys for La’El Collins, who is apparently on the trading block, but that would cost $10 million annually and is Collins a scheme fit coming over from Dallas?
Ultimately, one player that isn’t getting nearly enough love in my opinion is Joe Noteboom, the swing tackle for the Rams.
He has put some really good stuff out there for NFL teams to see, and he has been stuck behind a couple of really good veteran players in Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein while with the Rams.
Noteboom is also a scheme fit coming over from the Rams, he’s younger, and there’s obviously someone in the Broncos’ front office that likes TCU offensive linemen (Patrick Morris, Austin Schlottmann) in recent years.
Dennis Kelly’s name has also been brought up again after he was a consideration for the Denver Broncos last year when they had a right tackle vacancy. I think he’s an option strictly as a swing tackle but it would not be shocking in the least to see the Broncos sign him given their injury woes at the position.
My official prediction for the Broncos’ right tackle position? A multi-year deal for Joe Noteboom as the presumptive starter, Dennis Kelly signs as a swing option, and then drafting someone who has starter potential.