Should Denver move Risner over to play at right tackle?
Q: I know the Broncos would loath to do it, but if the right tackle position becomes a real issue and the team tries Dalton Risner in that spot, who are the candidates to replace him at left guard and who do you think would have the inside track to start there?
Evan Lukassen, Gunnison
RO: Correct, the Broncos feel Risner’s best position is left guard, the spot he played at last year and the spot where they want him to stay because it will aid both center Lloyd Cushenberry and left tackle Garett Bolles. But for the sake of the question: Risner played right tackle at Kansas State so the footwork and hand placement techniques would quickly return to him.
If Netane Muti, the rookie from Fresno State, was not coming off Achilles and foot injuries in 2018-19, the Broncos may have considered him ready to play left guard and try Risner outside.
If the Broncos felt Muti wasn’t ready, the other possibilities are Austin Schlottmann, Patrick Morris and I would even throw Wilkinson into that mix.
Q: How do you think the AFC West is going play out? The Chiefs will win the division — that seems like a no-brainer — but what about the rest? I feel like the Broncos will land at No. 2 and be a wild card team, followed by the Raiders and Chargers.
Marshall, Salt Lake City
RO: That’s my predicted order of finish: 1. Kansas City. 2. Broncos. 3. Las Vegas. 4. L.A. Chargers. And you’re right, the Chiefs are a no brainer to win a fifth consecutive division title.
Things then get complicated. The Broncos/Raiders pick for second is a coin flip, but I give the edge to the Broncos’ skill position players on offense and pass rushers on defense as the difference.
The addition of a seventh playoff team in each conference will help the Broncos, who could slide in with a 9-7 record.
Q: Ryan, what’s your take on Alexander Johnson this season? I can see him taking the leap to the next step and becoming that monster inside linebacker that we’ve been lacking since Danny Trevathan left.
Carter Phillips, Denver
RO: If Johnson can match last year’s totals of 93 tackles and two interceptions, it should be considered another good season and line him up for a future with the Broncos.
The key for Johnson will be if coach Vic Fangio trusts him in man coverage situations; most of Johnson’s work last year was in zone coverage where he could retreat and react. If he can capably track tight ends down the field, he could be an every-down player.
Q: Hi Ryan, with Ja’Wuan James opting out this year and with possible COVID concern during the season, are the Broncos going to sign a free agent offensive tackle? If so, who’s the better option Demar Dotson or Cordy Glenn?
Brandon
RO: Once James opted out last week, I listed Dotson and Glenn as two of the right tackle depth options and the Broncos moved quickly to get Dotson in town Sunday.
An 11-year NFL veteran, Dotson has played 130 games (106 starts), all for Tampa Bay. At 6-foot-9, 315 pounds, he would provide experience behind Elijah Wilkinson.
Q: I’m a little worried about our cornerback depth. A.J. Bouye is great but then the talent level drops off. I can’t see Isaac Yiadom being the No. 2 guy. Any shot we have at landing a Logan Ryan or Dre Kirkpatrick to give us a true starter?
Don, Minneapolis
RO: The Broncos’ depth in the secondary as a whole is concerning. At safety, they would have to turn to Trey Williams or Alijah Holder if starters Kareem Jackson or Justin Simmons are unavailable.
At cornerback, there are questions after Bouye. 1. Can Bryce Callahan stay healthy after missing all of 2019? 2. Can rookie Michael Ojemudia be a quick study at outside corner? 3. Who will emerge as the fourth cornerback among Yiadom, Duke Dawson, De’Vante Bausby and Davonte Harris?
If Callahan is healthy, he solves the nickel back issue since he’ll slide inside to cover the slot receiver. If his status was in doubt, Ryan would make sense on a oneyear deal to be the nickel.
Q: Jared Veldheer had a nice run with us in 2018 and played well for the Packers last season when Bryan Bulaga went down. I think he’d be a great Ja’Wuan James replacement. What say you?
Peter G., Boulder
RO: Veldheer started 12 games at right tackle for the Broncos in 2018. He signed with New England last offseason, but announced his retirement on May 21, 2019, but reconsidered, was waived by the Patriots on Nov. 26 and claimed by Green Bay the next day.