Mike Klis Previews 2017 Free Agency

This is a very useful checklist by Mike Klis compiled on where the Broncos may be heading in a few days.  I have some thoughts on it, but first, here are the highlights:

  1. Brandon McManus and Todd Davis are both expected to receive a second round RFA tender.
  2. Tony Romo could be indeed be in play for the Broncos for the earlier speculated price of $10-$12 million APY.
  3. Quoting Vance Joseph, the Broncos are looking for a left tackle…
  4. …but aren’t looking for a right tackle.
  5. The Broncos are also looking for a right guard (and are set with Max Garcia at left guard).
  6. The Broncos need to replace Sylvester Williams, and may go “budget” at the nose tackle position.
  7. Defensive end is cited as the more urgent need, with Calais Campbell atop the list and Lawrence Guy cited as an alternative.

You can find my thoughts beyond the fold.

  1. In goal #7 of my road map, I concurred with giving McManus a 2nd round RFA tender on the basis that it could be used as foundation for an extension later in the offseason.  On goal #6, I felt that a ROFR tender would be sufficient for Davis, but I certainly have no problem with being safer in this regard. I wonder if the Broncos still feel a bit snakebitten from the RFA adventure they went on with CJ Anderson.
  2. You may find my detailed thoughts on Romo in this article.
  3. With Russell Okung’s option declined, there’s really no doubt on the Broncos’ need at the left tackle position.  Klis cites not only Okung, but Andrew Whitworth and Kelvin Beachum as “the top left tackles available in free agency”.  What caught my eye was no mention of old friend Ryan Clady.
  4. As you can tell from goal #4 in my road map, my jaw is dropping in strong disagreement at the Broncos in not looking for a right tackle. What’s the plan going to be here? Move Michael Schofield or Ty Sambrailo back there despite well-documented past troubles at the position? Give Billy Turner a shot there? Rely solely on the draft? Or, as I alluded to as a possibility in goal #3, could they really be retaining Donald Stephenson for another year?  John Elway earns the benefit of the doubt, for sure. But I’m more nervous about this position than he–and from the feeling I get, some of my fellow commenters here–seem to be.
  5. I’m also not in agreement on the prioritization of right guard, certainly instead of right tackle. Right guard has always struck me as the easiest position to fill from players who struggle at tackle or left guard. I felt that Schofield was more decent at right guard than he was a right tackle, and figured that a competition between he and Connor McGovern would be sufficient. Speaking of McGovern, acquiring a high priced right guard is not exactly a strong vote of confidence in his favor.
  6. I can agree with the argument of going cheap on nose tackle.  Other than the outlier of Marcell Dareus it’s just not a position that’s paid high. I never thought that Brandon Williams was a realistic target compared to the Broncos’ budget and other needs. There’s also a chance that Sylvester Williams may not find the market he wants–or the Broncos may already have their Sly replacement in Kyle Peko.  The later rounds of the draft could also be a place to find a nose tackle.
  7. Campbell would indeed be intriguing, but not for Malik Jackson money at his age. I like the citation of Guy as a cheaper alternative.  A defensive end acquisition wouldn’t be the greatest vote of confidence for Adam Gotsis–though he’ll at least likely still have a role as being part of the rotational depth.