PFF Reveals What Broncos' Free-Agent Moves Mean for Russell Wilson
The Denver Broncos were busy in the opening days of NFL free agency. With questions about just how aggressive the franchise would be in free agency given the concerns surrounding quarterback Russell Wilson and recently-acquired head coach Sean Payton’s vision and plan for reshaping the Broncos, many in the media and fan base alike were not sure what to expect.
To kick things off, the Broncos proved to be one of the most aggressive teams in the NFL. Although Denver has signed a few lesser-known free agents, such as tight end Chris Manhertz from Jacksonville and quarterback Jarrett Stidham from Las Vegas, the biggest takeaway has been the prioritization of the offensive line. The Broncos want to run the darn ball.
Pro Football Focus' Gordon McGuinness lauded the Broncos for their signings and the immediate improvement along the O-line of scrimmage. In grading each signing individually against PFF’s perception of market value, neither Ben Powers nor Mike McGlinchey can be categorized as a potential “bargain”, but both seem to be a great fit from a multitude of vantage points for the Broncos.
McGlinchey, the ninth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, has been in the league for five seasons and has produced a 69.0-plus PFF grade in all five seasons. He has yet to record an 80.0-plus season grade, but the Broncos can be confident that they are signing a high-floor player.
He replaces the combination of Billy Turner and Cameron Fleming, who shared right tackle duties throughout the season (Fleming also played at left tackle). Fleming was solid at right tackle, producing a 71.9 PFF grade, but is also a free agent while Turner struggled and finished the year with a 50.7 PFF pass-blocking grade, which ranked as the ninth-worst among offensive tackles who played 300 snaps.
McGlinchey will have to stay healthy for his deal to be a good one for the Broncos, but with the team's apparent emphasis on the run game, paying him at 28 years old to be the 13th highest-paid tackle at $17.5 million per year is the going rate for a player of his pedigree and ability.
The McGlinchey reviews have been mixed, though. His play has dipped over the last few seasons as it appears his mobility has decreased some while dealing with injuries. His power has perhaps lessened, too, as he looks like he is playing with less mass over the last few seasons.
The Broncos paid for certainty, and McGlinchey was a player Payton allegedly coveted this cycle, but this is the one contract that is worth monitoring for the value paid for play returned over the next few seasons.
While McGlinchey has the celebrity of a highly-rated prospect and former top-10 draft pick, Powers entered the NFL as a far lesser-known player. Even to start the 2022 season, Powers' place as the Ravens’ starting left guard was uncertain.
To go from that perspective to the $13M per year over four seasons in Denver is really a remarkable feel-good story for the former fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma. Here's PFF's analysis:
Powers graded as one of the best pass-blocking offensive linemen in the league last year. He might not be a standout run blocker — just one season as a starter with a 60.0-plus PFF run-blocking grade — but his 86.7 PFF pass-blocking grade was ninth-best among all offensive linemen last season and second-best amongst all guards.
His arrival likely means the end of Dalton Risner’s time in Denver. The 2019 second-round draft pick has a similar grading profile to Powers, grading better in pass protection than as a run blocker but with a career-high 73.6 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2021, as he failed to reach Powers' ceiling in that regard.
Powers is far from an athletic specimen in terms of his movement skills, but his technical refinement at the guard position over last season earned him his massive payday from Denver. PFF was not impressed with his run blocking, and from a highlight-reel perspective, it might be correct.
There are not many reps where Powers is a heat-seeking missile, landing a block on a moving target at the second level. However, from a one-on-one vantage, Powers offers much more ability to displace defenders than Risner did in the run game.
How new head coach Sean Payton gets the best out of quarterback Russell Wilson will be one of the key storylines this season, but the Broncos have improved their ability to keep Wilson upright as free agency opens.
While McGuinness' concluding statement above is mostly correct, it shouldn't be viewed as the main takeaway from the Broncos’ signings to start free agency. Keeping Wilson upright is important, but Denver’s moves signify that Payton is building a team that is far less dependent on the passing game and arm talent of its quarterback.
Instead, in an era of sub-package defense, two-high safety shells, and light boxes, the Broncos are leaning into the ground game and running the football well. Prioritizing the offensive line as Denver has should do just that.
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