Broncos coach Gary Kubiak made it clear that improving the offensive line was the Broncos’ No. 1 priority going into the offseason. They used free agency to get two likely starters in left tackle Russell Okung and right tackle Donald Stephenson.
On the inside, there’s a little bit more uncertainty. Matt Paradis was the only player on offense or defense to play every snap last season, so his center spot appears secure. Second-year guard Max Garcia is a heavy favorite to lock down one of the open guard spots with departures of Louis Vasquez and Evan Mathis.
The Broncos aren’t done improving their offensive line though. Kubiak general manager John Elway lauded the depth of this year’s offensive line draft class.
Mississippi’s Laremy Tunsil is the consensus top offensive lineman in the draft, but he’ll be long gone before the Broncos pick. The strength of the offensive tackle class is at the top, but potential starting caliber interior linemen can be found deep into day two and three.
Even adding Okung and Stephenson doesn’t rule out the Broncos drafting an offensive lineman in the first round. Possible options available at No. 31 are Indiana tackle Jason Spriggs, Texas Tech tackle Le’Raven Clark and Kansas State guard Cody Whitehair.
Kubiak’s zone-read scheme requires athletic offensive linemen who can pull and get to the second level quickly. Expect any offensive lineman the Broncos draft to be closer to 300 pounds than 350.
Spriggs is a great fit because of his athleticism which showed on tape and at the combine, but he didn’t shine as a run blocker in college. He might need to bulk up to handle the power of NFL defenders. Spriggs had a predraft visit with the Broncos, per Walter Football.
In college, Whitehair looked like a guard playing left tackle with his short arms and rough pass set drops. When you get past those limitations and put him at the right position, Whitehair looks like a day one starter and the best guard in the draft.
Clark might have the highest potential of any lineman in this draft, with long arms and dancing bear feet. Texas Tech’s offense did him no favors as NFL coaches will have to teach him technique. He might not be ready to play until 2017 or 2018.
Okung will be the Broncos’ left tackle, but he signed what equates to a one-year deal, so the Broncos could be looking for a new left tackle in 2017. Clark, Spriggs and Auburn’s Shon Coleman all have the skill set to protect the blindside after a year or two of coaching and learning the NFL game.
2015 second-round pick Ty Sambrailo is the early favorite to move inside and start at one of the guard positions opposite Garcia because of his size and versatility, but there are no guarantees that would be smooth transition.
The Broncos allowed 39 sacks and 97 quarterback hits last season, both ranking in the top-13 most allowed.
Michael Schofield at starting right tackle likely won’t work there again. Stephenson is in year five, but injuries and struggles have prevented him from reaching his full potential. Okung hasn’t played 16 games in his six-year career. Depth still is an issue, and the Broncos can’t afford to get in a situation like last season.
Texas A&M’s Germain Ifedi, Arizona State’s Christian Westerman, Baylor’s Spencer Drango and Washington State’s Joe Dahl have the versatility to play both guard and right tackle, providing depth and a potential starter at each of those positions. The Broncos already made a predraft visit with Westerman. These prospects should be day two to early day three selections.
The Broncos likely will draft at least one offensive lineman. Like Sambrailo and Garcia in 2015, that player might not be slated to start, but could be thrown in the fire at a moment’s notice.
Cameron Wolfe: cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
Five to watch
NFL reporter Cameron Wolfe analyzes five players who could intrigue the Broncos on their offensive line in this year’s draft.
Name, Position, School, Description, Projected draft round
Jason Spriggs, T, Indiana, Ahletic four-year starter with the size and skills to be a future left tackle; average power got exposed on tape against stronger defenders, late first, early second
Le’Raven Clark, T, Texas Tech, four-year starter in ultra pass heavy offensive scheme, has the size, athleticism to be a franchise left tackle, but technique needs to be refined, late first, early second
Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State, Prototypical zone-read guard, but has toughness; likely plug and play starter, Second-third
Spencer Drango, G/T, Baylor, four-year starter and two-time All-American whose playing performance outshines his measureables and athleticism, third-fourth
Parker Ehinger, G/T, Cincinnati, A player who showed versatility and success as a four-year starter, but played in a spread scheme that hid some of his limitations. Could stick as a versatile reserve lineman. sixth-free agent
