Tag: Garett Bolles

Ranking the AFC West: Offensive Tackles

Ranking the AFC West: Offensive Tackles

We move from the offensive skill positions to the big fellas who do the dirty work. We start with the pass protectors who give the quarterbacks time to work and find open receivers.

1. Broncos

Starters: LT Garett Bolles, RT Bobby Massie

After a rough first couple of years, Bolles has turned into one of the best left tackles in the NFL. Last season he gave up just a half-sack in 15 starts.

Massie too was considered a middling starter for most of his career but has quietly stepped up the past few seasons as the starting right tackle in Chicago. A solid 2018 season earned him a 4-year extension,  but injuries ended his past couple of seasons.

2. Chiefs

Starters: LT Orlando Brown Jr, RT Mike Remmers

Brown comes over in a trade with the Ravens, becoming the division’s only Pro Bowl tackle. Brown has been to two Pro Bowls in three NFL seasons. The Chiefs lost former first overall pick Eric Fisher to injury and managed to replace him with a potential upgrade.

Remmers stepped in at right tackle for the injured Mitchell Schwartz last season and earned a return as the starter. In ten starts, Remmers didn’t give up a single sack.

3. Raiders

Starters: LT Kolton Miller, RT Alex Leatherwood

Miller has improved each season, playing into the level of one of the more solid left tackles in the league. He gave up a respectable two sacks in 2020 in 14 starts. His run blocking has been better, but could still use some work.

The Raiders made former Alabama left tackle Alex Leatherwood their pick at 17 overall in the draft and will put him at right tackle. Leatherwood is known as a strong run blocker but has some concerns as a pass protector. He will get his shot at right tackle to see if he can hold up.

4. Chargers

Starters: LT Rashawn Slater, RT Bryan Bulaga

Veteran Bryan Bulaga is a proven talent. Though he is coming off a down season, giving up 3.5 sacks in just ten starts. He is joined by 13th overall pick Rashawn Slater, widely considered one of the top tackles in this draft. Then again, left tackle in the pros isn’t always an immediate transition.

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Broncos injuries: Garett Bolles playing through sprained elbow

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles has a brace on his elbow but is expected to play against the Steelers in Week 2.

Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles sprained his elbow against the Tennessee Titans last week and played through the injury, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Bolles is practicing with a brace and is expected to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.

Here’s a look at Denver’s complete injury report from Thursday:

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
CB A.J. Bouye (shoulder) DNP (Put on IR) IR Out
RB Phillip Lindsay (toe) DNP DNP
LB Mark Barron (hamstring) DNP DNP
S Kareem Jackson (non-injury related) DNP Full
WR Courtland Sutton (shoulder) Limited Limited
LT Garett Bolles (elbow) Limited Limited
WR Tyrie Cleveland (hip) Limited Limited
S Trey Marshall (wrist) Limited Full
OLB Bradley Chubb (knee) Full Full
WR KJ Hamler (hamstring) Full Full
TE Albert Okwuegbunam (hip) Full Full

Here’s a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ injury report from Thursday:

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
QB Ben Roethlisberger (coach’s decision) DNP Full
WR Diontae Johnson (toe) DNP Full
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) DNP Full
RB James Conner (ankle) DNP Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (coach’s decision) DNP Full
OL Stefen Wisniewski (chest) DNP DNP
G David DeCastro (knee) DNP DNP
OT Zach Banner (knee) DNP (Put on IR) IR Out
OT Alejandro Villanueva (illness) DNP Full
DE Stephon Tuitt (Achilles) DNP Full

Denver and Pittsburgh will practice again Friday before releasing final injury reports with game statuses for Week 2.

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Todd McShay 2021 NFL mock draft: Broncos pick OT Samuel Cosmi

In his first 2021 NFL mock draft, ESPN’s Todd McShay has the Broncos selecting Texas left tackle Samuel Cosmi in the first round.

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In his first 2021 NFL mock draft, ESPN’s Todd McShay has the Denver Broncos selecting Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi with the 12th overall pick in the first round (subscription required for link).

That’s the same player that Draft Wire’s Jacob Infante has Denver picking in his latest mock draft.

Cosmi “still has to develop a bit, but he has the talent to emerge as a high-end left tackle,” according to McShay’s commentary.

Cosmi (6-7, 309 pounds) has dressed for 27 games at Texas, starting in 26 of them. He earned second-team All-Big 12 honors last season and was an honorable mention for the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year award.

In a 42-31 win over West Virginia last season, Cosmi scored on a 12-yard touchdown run, demonstrating his athleticism.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 1 pick in McShay’s mock. The Kansas City Chiefs select Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo with pick No. 32 in the mock.

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Predicting Broncos’ offensive line depth chart after adding Demar Dotson

How will adding Demar Dotson impact the Broncos’ offensive line depth chart?

The Denver Broncos are set to make some changes to their offensive line after Ja’Wuan James opted out of the season. Denver signed veteran right tackle Demar Dotson to a one-year deal but he’s not necessarily guaranteed to start, at least not right away.

Here’s our early offensive line depth chart prediction for the Broncos:

Left Tackle Left Guard Center Right Guard Right Tackle
Garett Bolles Dalton Risner Lloyd Cushenberry III Graham Glasgow Elijah Wilkinson
Jake Rodgers Netane Muti Patrick Morris Austin Schlottmann Demar Dotson

This is just an early projection and it is subject to change, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Elijah Wilkinson begin the year as a starter given that he has a head start on Dotson and he was named James’ replacement last week.

A dark horse — such as Calvin Anderson — could emerge this summer but four of the team’s five starting jobs seem to be set. Muti is essentially a lock to make the team and Dotson will likely make it at least as a backup.

The remaining backup players will need to be versatile so they can serve as backups for multiple positions. Schlottmann, for example, can play both guard and center. If Dotson does end up starting, Wilkinson can serve as a backup tackle and guard.

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Broncos fans shouldn’t forget Mike Munchak is coaching Garett Bolles

“The way Coach Munchak coaches, it’s perfect for Garrett,” Broncos guard Dalton Risner said.

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles has struggled to live up to his first-round draft status, averaging nearly one penalty per game in his career. Bolles finished last season well, though, and Denver coach Vic Fangio is optimistic that Bolles could take a step forward this season.

That might sound like wishful thinking to some Broncos fans but it’s important to remember that Bolles is being coached by Mike Munchak, who earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his playing days.

“I think something that people need to remember is Mike Munchak,” guard Dalton Risner said on Aug. 6. “That’s a factor that we need to remember. That guy is a Hall of Famer and he has a Gold Jacket. He’s probably going to have two Gold Jackets before he’s done with football.

“I truly believe with the way Coach Munchak coaches, it’s perfect for Garrett. He’s going to call Garrett out when he needs to be called out, he’s going to uplift Garrett when he needs uplifting and he’s going to teach Garrett. He knows how to teach the game because he’s done it. In fact, he’s got a Gold Jacket from doing it.” 

Munchak, a former head coach, helped several offensive linemen overachieve during his time with the Steelers and now that he has had a full year working with Bolles, there’s reason for optimism this season.

“I think Garrett has worked extremely hard and Garrett has a great work ethic,” Risner said. “He continues to work hard. He’s got a passion for the game, and I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for Garrett. I love that man, but I also think Mike Munchak helps him a ton.

“The more he gets time with Coach Munchak, the better player he’s going to be. You will probably see a whole new Garrett Bolles this year. A lot more of what you saw the last five games of the season.”

Bolles and Risner are expected to start next to each other on the left side of Denver’s offensive line this year.

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Broncos ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Garett Bolles at left tackle

Broncos coach Vic Fangio thinks left tackle Garett Bolles has shown improvement over the last few months.

Before Ja’Wuan James opted out of the season, the Broncos were planning to have Garett Bolles and Elijah Wilkinson compete at left tackle this summer. Bolles would have been the favorite but competition for his job likely would have been good for him.

Wilkinson is now set to start at right tackle in the place of James and Bolles won’t have much competition on the left side.

“Right now, to be honest with you, I would have to say it’s his [job] to lose,” coach Vic Fangio said during a Zoom conference call on Aug. 4.

Bolles has averaged almost one penalty per game in his career but he showed signs of improvement in Denver’s last five games last season. Fangio is hoping the 28-year-old tackle will build on that improvement.

“I think he took a step last year during the season,” Fangio said. “He played better the last half — the last third of the season — than he did in the early part of the season. I think he’s had his best offseason as far as where he’s at. He had a really productive offseason as it comes to physical workouts. I think he’s in a better place mentally and emotionally than he’s ever been in in this time of the year.”

Bolles will also be entering his second year playing under offensive line coach Mike Munchak, who has helped linemen overachieve in the past.

“I think we all sense that he’s in a better spot in all areas than he has been in his past,” Fangio said. “He’s gotten bigger. I think he’s gotten more knowledgeable. I think he’s ready. Can I guarantee it? No, we’ll all see when we start playing real games, but I’m cautiously optimistic.”

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Broncos won’t be signing OL Kelvin Beachum

Kelvin Beachum has agreed to terms with the Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to terms with veteran left tackle Kelvin Beachum on a year-year deal, according to Jess Root of Cards Wire.

Beachum (6-3, 308 pounds) is a 30-year-old offensive tackle who entered the league as a seventh-round pick out of Southern Methodist in 2012. He spent the first four years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing under Denver Broncos offensive line coach Mike Munchak from 2014-2015.

Beachum started 22 games for the Steelers under Munchak and allowed 12 sacks and was penalized 11 times, according to STATS LLC. In his career, Beachum has dressed for 104 games, earning 99 starts.

Beachum has averaged 0.423 penalties per game and has allowed an average of 0.382 sacks per contest in his career.

After leaving Pittsburgh, Beachum spent one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016) and three seasons with the New York Jets (2017-2019).

In 13 games with the Jets last year, Beachum was penalized seven times and allowed four sacks. Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles was penalized 10 times and allowed four sacks in 16 games last season.

Some fans in Denver were hoping that the Broncos would sign a veteran like Beachum to compete with Bolles this year. Instead, Bolles will compete with Elijah Wilkinson for the starting left tackle job this summer.

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Broncos LT Garett Bolles posts impressive workout video on Twitter

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles has been putting in work in this offseason!

Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles posted an impressive workout video on his Twitter page on Wednesday.

As of Friday afternoon, the video has 108,000 views.

Bolles has averaged almost one penalty per game in his career and he’s certainly not a fan favorite in Denver.

“this video was flagged for holding…..,” @Chile__Relleno_ commented on Twitter.

Despite trolling from fans, Bolles has been active in the community.

The former first-round pick is working to become more consistent and there were signs of improvement last season.

As Mase Denver of BSN Denver pointed out on Twitter earlier this offseason, Bolles played much better after the Broncos switched to Drew Lock at quarterback late last season.

“In the last five weeks — with Drew Lock as the QB — he allowed one pressure every 46.8 pass-rush snaps, per PFF,” Mason wrote on April 30. “That ranked 9th of the 87 OTs who played at least 50 snaps in Weeks 13-17.”

Bolles will compete with Elijah Wilkinson for a starting job this summer.

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PFF says Garett Bolles is Broncos’ most underrated player

Garett Bolles is the Broncos’ most underrated player, according to Pro Football Focus.

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles is largely disliked by fans in Denver but Pro Football Focus — a website that tracks advanced NFL stats and grades players — says the offensive lineman is actually underrated.

Ben Linsey published a list of the most underrated players on every NFL team last week and Bolles was PFF’s choice for the Broncos.

“Looking at qualifying left tackles since 2017, Bolles’ overall grade of 77.1 puts him at 15th out of 37 total players,” Linsey wrote. “Sure, that’s not the high-end player Denver was hoping for when it took him in the first round, but Bolles is still at least an average starter — not the bottom-of-the-barrel option he is sometimes portrayed to be.”

Linsey’s logic seems reasonable but it’s fair to wonder if Bolles wasn’t the best choice as Denver’s underrated player. Alexander Johnson, entering his second year as a starting inside linebacker, isn’t well known outside of Colorado. Johnson could be on the verge of a Pro Bowl-caliber season, which makes him a truly underrated player, at least in terms of publicity.

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Ryan Clady says Garett Bolles has shown ‘a lot of improvement’

Broncos all-time great left tackle Ryan Clady says he has seen some improvement from current left tackle Garett Bolles.

Ryan Clady was one of the best (perhaps the best) left tackles in Broncos history. He earned four Pro Bowl nods and two first-team All-Pro selections during his time with Denver and he received a Super Bowl ring in 2015 (though he was injured for that season).

Earlier this week, Clady went on 104.3 The Fan and spoke with Nick Ferguson and Cecil Lammey about Garett Bolles, the Broncos’ current left tackle.

“I think he’s definitely had a well-documented slow start to his career,” Clady said. “I’ve seen a lot of improvement — he’s definitely put some work in. Later on in this past season, the 2019 season, he was playing at a much higher level.”

That’s the good news. The bad news? There’s still a lot to improve.

“One of the main things is hands with him,” Clady said. “He’s got some pretty good feet, which is what you need as a left tackle. But I think his hands and his awareness, too — a lot of those holding problems can somewhat be avoided with just learning the game more and having awareness of positions you’re in.”

Bolles has averaged nearly one penalty per game in his career. After earning $1,969,351 this season, Bolles will become an unrestricted free agent in 2021 after Denver opted to decline his fifth-year option for next season.

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