Tag: Jake Rodgers

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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Projecting Broncos’ OL depth chart before the NFL draft

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ offensive line depth chart going into the NFL draft.

With the NFL draft a little more than one week away, here’s a look at the Broncos’ projected offensive line depth chart as it stands right now:

Left Tackle Left Guard Center Right Guard Right Tackle
Garett Bolles Dalton Risner Patrick Morris Graham Glasgow Ja’Wuan James
Calvin Anderson Tyler Jones Austin Schlottmann Elijah Wilkinson Jake Rodgers
Ka’John Armstrong Nico Falah Quinn Bailey

Many fans will point out that Bolles is a weak link but he has done a good job staying healthy and he still has a year left on his team-friendly contract. Denver will probably draft a tackle but the team could select a mid-round prospect to groom behind Bolles instead of drafting an early-round prospect.

The Broncos also need a longterm answer at center (or a right guard, if Glasgow ends up playing center). It wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver select another center/guard, a player similar to Glasgow.

To recap: the Broncos need help at center and left tackle on the o-line.

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Broncos place ERFA tender on OL Jake Rodgers

The Broncos have placed a one-year tender on offensive lineman Jake Rodgers.

The Denver Broncos have placed a one-year tender on exclusive rights free agent offensive lineman Jake Rodgers, according to a report from The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala. Players with two or fewer seasons in the NFL become ERFAs when their contracts expire.

Because the Broncos have the exclusive rights to Rodgers, he will not be eligible to sign with another team. ERFA tenders are worth the league minimum, which is $750,000 for a second-year player like Rodgers.

Rodgers (6-6, 320 pounds) spent time with seven NFL teams before landing in Denver last spring. After starting the year on the Broncos’ practice squad, Rodgers was promoted to the active roster and served as a backup swing tackle/guard for 13 games.

In his lone start at the end of last season, Rodgers was penalized once and was credited with allowing half a sack, according to STATS LLC. He will compete for one of the team’s backup spots on the offensive line this offseason.

Denver also placed ERFA tenders on returner Diontae Spencer, wide receiver Tim Patrick, cornerback Shakial Taylor and safety Trey Marshall. We are tracking all of the Broncos’ free agency moves here.

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