Denver Broncos offensive lineman Calvin Anderson has a huge opportunity in front of him as the team gets set to open training camp in preparation for the 2022 NFL season.
There is quite a bit of opportunity along the offensive line for the Broncos but perhaps the biggest question sits at the right tackle spot and who will take over as the starter there. Calvin Anderson will be in that mix.
The Broncos signed Billy Turner this offseason and many (myself included), have seen Turner as the favorite to win that job. But with news coming out that Turner will begin camp on the PUP list, Anderson has a chance to make a great first impression on the new coaching staff.
Broncos insider Mike Klis says that Turner is progressing well so it’s likely just a precautionary measure being taken by the team. But missed time is missed time and Anderson, along with free-agent signing Tom Compton, will be in practice pushing for the right tackle spot.
Compton is a well-traveled veteran who the Broncos brought in as a fall-back plan, but Anderson is the much younger player and he has a much bigger upside. The team would likely much prefer to see him break out in camp and win the job.
Anderson came to the Broncos in 2019 after they swiped him off the practice squad of the New York Jets. It was clear that the undrafted player from Texas was going to be a bit of a project.
After three years with the organization, Anderson has suited up for 27 games and made five starts. But this is his chance to step up and he may never get a better one.
Anderson recently turned just 26 years old and at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, has the kind of athletic frame and size that the team should love at the position. If he can adjust well to the system that Nathaniel Hackett and his offensive coaches are going to install, there is no reason he can’t win this job and be the starter for several years to come.
It could be now or never for Anderson. He does have some experienced vets in this competition with him but with one of them sidelined, at least for a short period of time, he needs to grab the right tackle position and not let go.