Tag: offensive tackle

Broncos met with OT Ezra Cleveland at NFL combine

The Broncos interviewed Boise State offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland at the NFL combine last month.

The Denver Broncos interviewed Boise State offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland at the NFL combine last month, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Cleveland (6-6, 311 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.93 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times at the combine. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein believes Cleveland could play either left or right tackle as a pro.

“Cleveland has the athleticism to play swing tackle for a zone-based offense but needs to get much stronger to hold up as a starter,” Zierlein wrote.

Cleveland earned first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2018 and 2019. He started in 13 games for college football’s Broncos last season.

Cleveland is the 12th-best offensive tackle in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s post-combine NFL draft rankings for Draft Wire.

Denver appears content to start Garett Bolles and Ja’Wuan James at the two tackles spots in 2020 but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Broncos draft and develop a tackle prospect. Cleveland is a player to be aware of as the draft draws closer.

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Broncos OT Ja’Wuan James should be healthy for OTAs

Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) should be healthy for OTAs.

During his media availability at the NFL combine last week, Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio provided a positive update on right tackle Ja’Wuan James.

“He won’t need surgery,” Fangio said of James on Feb. 25. “He should be fine.”

Fangio also said that James should be healthy for organized team activities (OTAs), which will likely begin in mid-May.

James (6-6, 312 pounds) had a disappointing first season in Denver after signing a four-year, $51 million contract during free agency. James battled a knee injury all season and was healthy for just three games.

It’s good to hear that James should be healthy for OTAs but the Broncos might not want to count on him in 2020. Since entering the NFL in 2014, James has missed 31 of a possible 96 games — he’s been injured for nearly a third of his career.

With James not providing a reliable option, Denver would be wise to add an offensive tackle this offseason, through free agency or the draft.

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Did the Texans already win the Tytus Howard versus Andre Dillard debate?

Did the Houston Texans already win the argument on who is a better 2019 first-round tackle: Tytus Howard or the Philadelphia Eagles’ Andre Dillard?

Flashback to the day after the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft through the end of the 2019 preseason.

The Houston Texans blew the draft by letting OT Andre Dillard go to the Philadelphia Eagles. Though they addressed offensive tackle with Alabama State’s Tytus Howard in the first round, he was their worst pick of the draft. The Eagles just snatched Dillard away from the Texans. Philly just stole Dillard from Houston. When they traded for Miami Dolphins left tackle Laremy Tunsil, it was an over correction for mucking things up in trying to land Dillard.

Flash forward to the 2020 offseason, and Eagles believe Dillard isn’t as physically and mentally strong as they would like after a year in the NFL.

According to Jeff McClane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, because of Dillard’s incomplete progress, the club may consider bringing back 38-year-old Jason Peters for his 17th NFL season as the Eagles’ left tackle.

Another year with Peters would allow Dillard to watch and learn and likely play enough to continue his development. He hasn’t made as much progress as the Eagles had hoped when they moved up to draft him in the first round last year. Dillard needs to get stronger, both physically and mentally.

Eagles coaches still believe in Dillard. He has the necessary athleticism. But bringing Peters back, despite the message it would send about Dillard’s future, would give the 24-year-old some additional time in an NFL culture he struggled to adapt to as a rookie.

Ideally, Dillard would have made it obvious that it was time to move on from Peters. He did not. And what can’t be underplayed is the role owner Jeffrey Lurie will play in deciding a future Hall of Famer’s future. He is Peters’ greatest advocate.

Meanwhile Howard, who only played in eight games his rookie season and started in seven of them at right tackle, made the Pro Football Writers of America’s all-rookie team. Not bad for the worst pick of the Texans’ draft class.

Ultimately, it is too early to declare either 2019 first-rounder a winner, though certainly Howard is winning. Presuming Dillard is able to take the next steps in his career in 2020, the only question mark for Howard would be his health given that he did miss eight games and was placed on injured reserve in Week 13.

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Broncos met with OL Robert Hunt at NFL combine

Louisiana-Lafayette offensive lineman Robert Hunt met with the Broncos at the NFL combine last week.

The Denver Broncos interviewed Louisiana-Lafayette offensive lineman Robert Hunt at the NFL combine last week, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Hunt (6-5, 323 pounds) is a do-it-all offensive lineman who has spent time at left tackle, guard and right tackle. His versatility could make him an intriguing prospect for Denver.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Hunt to Cody Ford, who was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2019 draft.

“Like Cody Ford in last year’s draft, Hunt is a plus athlete with a big man’s frame who could be considered at guard or tackle,” Zierlein wrote.

Hunt is the 11th-best offensive tackle in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire.

Hunt is projected to be a second- or third-round pick in April’s draft, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com.

Denver will have five picks in the first three rounds of the draft.

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Broncos not rushing to make decision on Garett Bolles’ 5th-year option

The Broncos still have plenty of time to make a decision on Garett Bolles’ fifth-year option.

The Broncos still have two months until they need to decide on Garett Bolles’ contract status for the 2021 season.

Because Bolles was selected by Denver in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft, his contract includes a fifth-year option. The Broncos appear to be in no rush to make a decision on that option.

Denver general manager John Elway said at the NFL combine last week that the team has not yet made a decision on Bolles’ option, according to The Athletic‘s Nicki Jhabvala. Bolles has had some poor performances with the Broncos but the team’s staff has praised his ability to stay healthy.

“One thing about Garett, he was available,” Elway said during his end-of-season press conference on Dec. 30. “He was there every play. I don’t think he missed a play this year. We talked about availability — he was there. He got off to a slow start, but I think that he continued to get better and better and better as the year went on.”

Given how Elway appreciates Bolles’ ability to stay on the field, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the tackle have his fifth-year option picked up.

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Broncos met with OL Austin Jackson at NFL combine

The Broncos interviewed USC offensive lineman Austin Jackson at the NFL combine last week.

The Denver Broncos interviewed USC offensive lineman Austin Jackson at the NFL combine last week, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Jackson (6-5, 322 pounds) bench-pressed 225 pounds 27 times at the combine.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Jackson to D.J. Humphries, who was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2015 draft. Jackson played primarily as a left tackle in college but he could potentially transition to guard in the NFL.

Jackson is the sixth-best offensive tackle in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire. Jackson is projected to be selected sometime between the first and second rounds of April’s draft, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com.

Denver appears content to enter the 2020 season with Garett Bolles and Ja’Wuan James as the two starting tackles so it’s hard to imagine the Broncos selecting a tackle early — unless they plan to move him to guard. Jackson is the type of player who could fill that role and he’s worth keeping an eye on as the draft approaches.

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Broncos met with OL Jedrick Wills at NFL combine

The Broncos met with Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills at the NFL combine this week.

The Denver Broncos met with Alabama’s Jedrick Wills at the NFL combine this week, the offensive lineman confirmed during his media availability on Wednesday.

“It went really good, it was smooth,” Wills said of his interview with Denver, via Ryan Edwards of KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM. “[John] Elway, it was crazy to see him — growing up I’d seen him on TV — and knowing he was the GM, it was crazy to see him there. But it went really well, I feel like I had some confidence going into that meeting.”

Wills (6-5, 320 pounds) started 28 consecutive games for the Crimson Tide and earned second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press after allowing just one sack as a junior. He is the best offensive lineman in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has compared Wills to Jason Peters and described him as a draft prospect who is “tailor-made for the NFL.”

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Broncos met with OL Tristan Wirfs at NFL combine

The Broncos met with Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs at the NFL combine this week.

The Denver Broncos met with Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs at the NFL combine this week, according to The Denver Post‘s Ryan O’Halloran.

Wirfs (6-5, 322 pounds) earned second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press in 2019 after starting all 13 games (10 at right tackle and three at left tackle). Iowa awarded him their offensive Team Hustle Award and Big Ten Conference gave him the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year award after his junior season.

Wirfs played tackle in college but many draft pundits believe he could transition to guard in the NFL. He is the 16th-best player and fourth-best offensive lineman in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire.

Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (No. 7), Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (No. 10) and Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (No. 14) are the only offensive lineman ranked higher than Wirfs on Draft Wire’s big board.

If selected by the Broncos, Wirfs would be reunited with tight end Noah Fant. Wirfs and Fants were teammates with the Hawkeyes from 2017-18. Denver selected Fant with their first-round pick in last year’s draft.

The Broncos are scheduled to select 15th overall this year.

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Notre Dame Makes Top Nine for Texas Star ‘21 Offensive Tackle

Reuben Fatheree II named his top nine schools Sunday and good news for Notre Dame fans is that they’ve made this cut

Four star and top 125 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class (per 247 Sports) Reuben Fatheree II named his top nine schools Sunday and good news for Notre Dame fans is that they’ve made this cut.

Joining Notre Dame are the likes of Ohio State, Oklahoma, LSU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas. Not making the cut were some powerhouses as well including but not limited to Alabama, Michigan, Auburn, Georgia and Oregon.

For what it’s worth, the recruiting experts at 247 who have made predictions on Fatheree’s future commitment have both picked Texas A&M.

That didn’t seem to faze Notre Dame commit Gabriel Rubio however as the 2021 commitment and St. Louis product took to Twitter to try and do his own recruiting.

“Too” vs. “to” remains quite the unfortunate rivalry these days. Nonetheless, an effort nonetheless.

As always, keep checking out FIW as we’ll share all the recruiting news and everything else in regards to Notre Dame athletics.

2021 Four-Star OT Announces Top Nine Schools

2021 Four-Star offensive tackle Reuben Fatheree II has announced his top nine schools, with Texas making the cut.

2021 Four-Star offensive tackle Reuben Fatheree II has announced his top nine schools, Texas made the short list. The Longhorns join Big 12 foes Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech in the running, while Notre Dame, Texas A&M, and Ohio State round out the top nine.

With 247Sports’ Crystal Ball currently projecting the Aggies, Texas may be losing a prospect to their bitter in-state rivals. Listed at 6-foot-8 and 305 pounds, Fatheree has already been compared to Mike McGlinchey of the San Fransico 49ers.

Coming out of Foster High School in Richmond, TX, Fatheree is the No. 15 ranked offensive tackle in the country. Listed as the 19th best player in the state of Texas, he misses out of a top 100 ranking by 18 spots.

When the recruiting class of 2021 is finished, it has the chance to be full of excellent offensive lineman for Texas. Already having the commitment for four-star OT Hayden Connor, the Longhorns are also favorite to sign the Brockermeyer twins. The protection for the quarterback post-Sam Ehlinger will be one of the best in the country if Texas can secure Fatheree’s signature.

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