The Denver Broncos have retooled their offensive line, adding a few free agents and preparing for some youth to step up. However, right tackle remains an area of high priority for the team as the draft approaches.
After looking at all the moves the team has made this offseason it looks incredibly likely that the Broncos will draft a right tackle with their first pick of the draft. Veteran Chris Clark seems to be the front runner for the job as of today but that option should not sit well with the brass of the Broncos. Three tackles in the draft appear to have the interest of the team and could come in quickly and make a real run at starting the season.
La’el Collins remains the likely tackle to land in Denver. He is ranked as the second-best tackle in the draft on most boards behind Brandon Scherff who is projected to go in the top-ten. Collins is leaving Louisiana State University with 38 starts at guard and tackle according to the University’s site.
His 6’4”, 305-pound frame would fit the nimble body type Gary Kubiak is looking for and his tenacity would match the attitude John Elway is seeking in his players. He excelled as a power-run blocker and showed his quickness at the combine in the forty yard dash and cone drills.
The Broncos were clearly interested with Collins at the drafted and reportedly had a one-on-one meeting with the team in Indianapolis. The right tackle position remains the last big hole the team needs to fill and Collins appears to be NFL-ready.
Collins play at the Senior Bowl and his impressive combine may have hurt the Broncos chances at getting him at No. 28 overall. If they perceive him, as many do, as the second-best tackle in the draft they may have to move up via trade to get him around the 12-18 draft position.
The second possible tackle to don the orange and blue would be a familiar sight. Ereck Flowers from the University of Miami would remind people of the recently departed Orlando Franklin. Flowers stands at 6’6″, 329 pounds and is a beast of a tackle. His shear size makes him an excellent option at right tackle.
In two and a half years as a starter he has built himself into a great NFL prospect. He attacks in the run game and gets to the next level quickly despite his size. His pass blocking is good but his blitz pick-up could improve before he reaches an NFL game.
At the combine it was no surprise that he was ranked first after the 225-pound bench press was all said and done, as he recording 37 repetitions. It remains to be seen if the Broncos will draft a man of stature to play in the zone-blocking scheme but there is little doubt that Flowers will be a starter in the NFL shortly.
Flowers is perceived as a late first round pick and the Broncos No. 28 pick position fits right in line with most experts assessments of where the big fella will go.
The last prospect the Broncos may pursue is T.J. Clemmings from the University of Pittsburgh. Clemmings is coming out of college as a senior but has the least experience of all the candidates. He is a converted defensive lineman and has only played offense for two seasons. At 6’5”, 309 pounds he fits the mold but needs work.
According to the University’s team site Clemmings started all of the team’s 26 games from 2013-2014 at right tackle and he was selected as an offensive captain in 2014. At the combine Clemmings showed off his athleticism while posting the top vertical jump and 20-yard shuttle among the tackles. He looks to be the quickest and most agile tackle on the board.
Clemmings has all the tools to be a very successful right tackle but his inexperience may keep the Broncos away. The team is poised for a post season run and need a player that will push for the starting role. If the Broncos believe he can be that guy it would be a bold move to draft him with their first pick at No. 28.
Most experts have Clemmings going anywhere from the late first round to the middle of the second round of the draft. If the Broncos want him it appears that they will have to spend their 28th pick early, make some sort of deal to move down, or trade their second pick at No. 59 overall to move up.
Right tackle is the Broncos glaring need at this point of the year and all three tackle prospects have upside. Elway and company will be dissecting these three up until the April 30th when the 2015 NFL draft begins. Whichever tackle they choose and when they draft them will likely be of little consequence. Whoever the player is will have a shot at starting for a contender come fall, making the choice all that more important.
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