The Denver Broncos’ starting right tackle job is once again up for grabs. Which players are the likeliest candidates to take that job?
There aren’t many starting positions up for grabs with the Denver Broncos in 2022, but the right tackle position continues to be a revolving door in need of stability.
Part of what makes this situation surprising is that the Broncos and general manager George Paton did not do more — specifically in the NFL Draft — to address it.
The Broncos have not drafted a single offensive tackle in Paton’s first two drafts with the team.
Is that inherently bad?
No, not necessarily. Reaching for need is never a good idea and the Broncos have had other areas of the roster to attend to.
With that being said, we’re about to find out if the Broncos are just slapping another year-long bandage on this position or if someone is about to take over for the foreseeable future.
After OTAs, which players are the top candidates to start there in the regular season?
Denver Broncos top 3 most likely starters at the right tackle position
Honorable mention: Ben Braden
I don’t know that Ben Braden is actually going to even make this team, but he did do some work at the right tackle position throughout OTAs and I spotted him in videos working with the top unit.
There might be something to that, or there could be nothing to it.
What’s important to note here: Braden got extensive work at right tackle when he was with the Green Bay Packers, so he’s very familiar with Justin Outten and Nathaniel Hackett, the Broncos’ offensive coordinator and head coach.
3. Tom Compton
I think Tom Compton was one of the more underrated pickups the Denver Broncos made in 2022 free agency.
He has starting experience at tackle and guard and could give the Broncos a valuable piece as the season progresses.
Is it a best-case scenario for him to start week one? No, but it’s possible.
2. Billy Turner
It’s tough to put Billy Turner at no. 2 in this position race. When he was signed, I think he was the presumptive starter, but the Broncos seem to like another player just a little bit more.
That, and Turner has yet to practice with the team.
Things could drastically change during training camp, but Turner has been recovering this offseason and there have been rumblings his path to the starting lineup may be clearer at guard than at right tackle.
1. Calvin Anderson
It’s time for Calvin Anderson to take the step from the “shh” emoji into the starting lineup.
It feels like the Denver Broncos have been developing Anderson for a long time now, and frankly they have been.
Anderson was initially acquired back in 2019 and he’s ascended all the way to the team’s top swing tackle position as of last season.
You can’t help but feel like the reason the Broncos passed on tackles in the Draft and free agency — for the most part — is because they are pleased with Anderson’s development.
He competed for the starting job last offseason with Bobby Massie and did a good job.
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Now, he’ll be in tight competition again, but I think the Broncos will finally find themselves a potential long-term solution with Anderson in 2022.