With the NFL’s scouting combine set to open Tuesday and free agency to follow March 10, today marks the fifth installment of a position-by-position look of where things stand for the Denver Broncos at each spot on the depth chart, the salary-cap commitment, free agents and where their needs are greatest.
Today: Offensive line | Saturday: Defensive line | Rest of the series
Whenever an NFL team’s top football decision-maker uses the phrases "change of scenery" and "might help them" in the same sentence about a particular position group, that is a not-so-subtle way to predict change is coming. And Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway used exactly those phrases when discussing the future of the offensive line the day after the Broncos’ season-ending loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
The position group that had the biggest struggles this past season is also poised to see the most change. The issues: The Broncos surrendered two sacks on three-man rushes in one game and for the season the team’s running backs were hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on a third of the team’s rushing attempts.
And it will be a significant point of interest for offensive line coach Clancy Barone (tight ends coach last season), offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and coach Gary Kubiak, especially if there happens to be a certain 39-year-old quarterback behind center when the regular season begins.
The Alpha: This is a spot in transition with left tackle Ryan Clady having been the most decorated lineman since he was selected in the first round of the 2008 draft. But injuries, including knee, foot and shoulder surgeries, have affected his play at times -- he also dealt with groin and thigh injuries this past season even as he tried to play through them. But in terms of how personnel executives would rank the players to go with age and overall health, Louis Vasquez, when he moves back to guard after playing much of the past season at right tackle out of necessity, should again play at an All-Pro level.
Salary cap: The Broncos are invested big here, especially with a $10.6 million cap figure for Clady and his $8.5 million base salary is guaranteed on March 14 to go with a $1.5 million roster bonus for the 2015 season. It’s not inconceivable the Broncos would look to adjust that deal in some fashion, especially if they believe they need some cap room down the road. Vasquez will count $6.25 million against the cap with Manny Ramirez checking in at $3.167 million against the cap to go with Chris Clark at $1.626 million against the cap.
Pending free agents: The Broncos have two starters set to hit the open market -- guard Orlando Franklin, who started at right tackle in his first three seasons with the Broncos, and center Will Montgomery. Montgomery signed a one-year deal last spring and was expected to compete with Ramirez for the starting job at center. But Ramirez stayed at center through the offseason workouts, training camp and up until the week leading up to the Broncos’ Nov. 9 game in Oakland. Montomgery was moved into the starting lineup when Ramirez was moved to right guard and Vasquez was moved to right tackle.
Who could stay: Montgomery was used in a zone-blocking run game in Washington under Mike Shanahan, and he will be looked to as an option at center in Kubiak’s new offense. As a result, the Broncos will take a look at re-signing him.
Who could go: Franklin will draw some interest from some other teams, especially those looking for a little more power in their offensive front. Franklin had moments at guard when he looked like it would be the spot for him to show his best, but he also struggled at times when the group faced double-team choices on the interior. Franklin did not always show good recovery skills in pass protection, but some general managers around the league said this past season, with Vasquez out of position at tackle, there were times when Franklin was the team’s best run-blocker.
What they like/want: The emphasis will be on footwork. Whether Peyton Manning returns to play quarterback in the upcoming season, the blocking scheme will eventually look much like it did in Shanahan’s tenure with the team. They’re not necessarily going to be looking for smaller linemen, but those who can move in space, play with discipline and find the right defender to block when they’re on the move.
Need index (1 is low priority, 5 the highest): It’s a 5, even if two players from last year’s draft class -- tackle Michael Schofield and center Matt Paradis -- get longer looks. The Broncos will be looking at finding at least two to three new starters at the position.