Bucknell OT Davenport garners some interest
phoenix » Twenty days into free agency, the Broncos have yet to solve their left tackle puzzle. And they’re in no rush.
The free- agent market is slim and the draft class shallow on elite talent, but the Broncos’ options haven’t run dry. Not yet.
According to multiple NFL sources, the team is genuinely interested in Bucknell offensive tackle Julién Davenport, a 6foot- 7, 318- pound draft prospectwho could be a viable Day 2 selection for Denver if he’s still available.
Davenport, who has met with or will meet with at least nine NFL teams in advance of nextmonth’s draft, is considered raw in his technique, but his size, athleticism and arm length offer promise.
At the league’s annual meetings, Broncos coach Vance Joseph said he is not concerned that the team hasn’t found a second true starting tackle in the wake of Russell Okung’s exit and after a season of poor performance from the line as a whole. The priority, Joseph said, is finding onewho can block speed rushers.
“Left or right tackle, they both have to pass protect,” Joseph said. “So if it’s left or right, you have to switch your feet and play, so I’m not overly concerned about having a left tackle. Von Miller, for the most part, is on our defensive left side, so he’s going against the right tackle all the time. Defensively, you can align your front anywhere you want. I can get Von Miller on your worst tackle anytime I want. So left or right, who cares? We need to acquire tackleswho can block speed. In our division, every team has two ( rushers), so it’s a concern for all of us in the division blocking edge rushers. Left or right? Not concerned. I want two guys who can block speed rushers.
“In football terms, the right tackle is more of a run blocker, a bigger guy. The left tackle is more of a dancer. It’s got to be equal. I want two good players. I don’t want one guy to be a heavy- footed run blocker and one guy to be a soft basketball player. I want guys who can do both.”
The Broncos signed MenelikWatson in free agency and revised the contract of Donald Stephenson, with the expectation that Stephenson and others currently on the roster will compete for a starting job in the offseason.
This year’s draft class is relativelyweak in elite tackle talent, with Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk, Utah’s Garett Bolles and Alabama’s Cam Robinson leading the pack. Davenport is among the second tier of tackles, with starting potential in a year or two into his pro career.