The Denver Broncos have a lot to do this offseason and new head coach Sean Payton will have his work cut out for him. He has experience on his side and he has had to clean up a mess before.
One thing the Broncos absolutely must do before the 2023 season starts is to improve the offensive line. The only way to do that is to allocate resources (money, draft picks) to that unit. Without a pick in the upcoming draft until the third round, the Broncos may need to go the free agency route, particularly if they intend to get an impact player for the right tackle spot.
There are options on the free-agent market that could be appealing such as Mike McGlinchey or Goerge Fant, but a player that has been with the Jacksonville Jaguars should also be high on their list.
That would be Jawaan Taylor.
Taylor will not come cheap, nor should any 25-year-old player who has been a four-year starter. The Broncos would have to shell out a big contract but they need to be prepared to do that in order to get better play than they received from the revolving door they had at the right tackle spot in 2022.
Taylor was a second-round pick of the Jaguars in 2019 and his career started slowly. So slow in fact that he was being labeled as a bust by some of the fans down there. But he stepped up his level of play in 2022 and was part of one of the league’s better offensive lines this past season.
Spotrac predicts that Taylor will receive a contract this offseason worth about $12 million annually. ESPN’s Field Yates has that number even higher at $15 million per year.
Broncos would get a durable player in Jawaan Taylor
Perhaps the most positive note that can be written about Taylor, aside from his progression on the field each season, is his durability. He played and started in all 66 games for the Jaguars since he was drafted.
A consistent, durable player at right tackle makes Taylor worth a good amount of money alone and he would instantly be the right tackle of the future for this team. The Broncos have not had good luck in trying to fill this position over the years through free agency as Menelik Watson, Ronald Leary and Ja’Wuan James were all costly and they each fizzled out in the Mile High City.
Taylor may also be tough to pry out of Florida.
Born in Cocoa, Florida, Taylor went to the University of Florida before being drafted by the Jaguars. He’s played his entire career in his home state and he may be inclined to keep it that way.
The Jaguars are currently one of the most cash-strapped teams in the league and may not be able to afford to keep him around. If he is interested in leaving, the Broncos should absolutely have an offer ready when the free-agent signing period begins.