3 OTs for Broncos to Draft & Groom to Start in 2025

The Broncos need a developmental tackle option, and there are plenty of options in the draft.

Jan 30, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National edge Adisa Isaac of Penn State (20) pressures National / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

It doesn't matter if the Denver Broncos keep Garett Bolles or not to determine if they need help at offensive tackle. They either need a starter to replace him this year or someone to develop to replace him next year. 

Even then, there are serious questions about Mike McGlinchey after his poor showing in the 2023 season, and the addition of Matt Peart isn't a difference-maker. This is a strong class for offensive tackle help, so let's take a look at three of the options that are likely there later on day two. 

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten (73) against / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Roger Rosengarten | Washington

• Height: 6-foot-5
• Weight: 308 pounds
• Arm Length: 33-1/2 inches
• Hands: 9-5/8 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 9.62

Pros

Rosengarten has had good experience over the past two years, and he has a good build and frame for the NFL. He tested out a lot better athletically than you see consistently on tape. He does well in mixing up his pass-blocking techniques to keep defenders guessing. Rosengarten is a tone-setting blocker. He likes to set the tone for the game early and the rep with a strong punch. 

The punch technique is clean and consistent, and it is well-placed to jolt defenders and stun them with its early rush. He has a clean, quick, consistent kick-slide to get out in front of quicker pass rushers on the edge. When he engages an assignment, it comes with good power and pop.

When engaging as a run blocker, he keeps his feet churning and works to sustain proper positioning and leverage to generate drive. He has a high football IQ, and Rosengerten shows an understanding of how to break down pass rushers' attacks. 

Cons

One thing you want to see is players rising to the occasion, and Rosengarten will leave some with a bad taste in their mouth. His final game, the NCAA Championship game, was rough and Rosengarten was beaten consistently. That isn’t rising to the occasion that you like to see. 

Sometimes, his hand technique can fall apart and get outside the chest of defenders. When working laterally or climbing, Rosengarten doesn’t show the agility to make sudden changes to meet certain landmarks. There are also issues with staying in front of edge rushers with fluidity in changing directions when they counter inside or outside. 

Fit With Broncos

There isn’t a very high ceiling with Rosengarten, but he could end up a solid starting tackle with the versatility to flip sides. So, in his rookie year, he can work as the backup swing tackle, with the chance to take over for Garett Bolles or Miike McGlinchey as a starter in the 2025 season. The scheme fit is there, and would help raise the floor of the room as the Broncos lack depth at tackle. 

Big Board Position: No. 63 overall.

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Oct 7, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Blake Fisher / Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Fisher | Notre Dame

• Height: 6-foot-6
• Weight: 310 pounds
• Arm Length: 34-3/8 inches
• Hands: 10 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 7.89

Pros

The athleticism of Fisher is easy to see on tape. He has a good get-off with the snap and moves with good explosion. His kick-slide is smooth and gains depth quickly. There is also good agility and movement skills to work all types of blocks and concepts. 

Fisher also has good power and uses leverage quite well. He can get anchored defenders on their heels with leverage and torque power through his frame to generate movement. He also has good grip strength to help sustain blocks. 

The hand technique is solid, but he can work his upper body and hands independently of his footwork. He has a good recovery, and has decent quickness into his anchor with good power in it. 

Cons

The physical traits are there with Fisher, but his technique needs a lot of work. There is decent experience from Fisher, with over 1,500 snaps played in the last two seasons, but his technique is where his issues are. 

When he gets out of his stance, it is quick and good, but he is often late with his timing. There are also issues with angles when working to the outside of the second level, and he will often miss his landmarks. 

Fit With Broncos

Blake Fisher would be a good fit for the Broncos, especially if they keep Bolles in town for the 2024 season. Fisher will need some time to develop and would be a bit of a project for Zach Strief. The scheme fit is ideal, and Fisher has the traits to play either side of the line despite playing mostly at right tackle in college. 

Big Board Position: No. 88 overall.

Sep 30, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars offensive tackle Patrick Paul (76) blocks Texas / Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Paul | Houston

• Height: 6-foot-7.5 
• Weight: 331 pounds
• Arm Length: 36-1/4 inches
• Hands: 9-3/8 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 9.76

Pros

Patrick Paul is a long and athletic tackle who had an excellent college career at left tackle. His pass protection technique is well-developed, from the footwork to the hand technique. He has exceptional length and uses it well to engage first and keep defenders off his body. 

He is quick in the gaps to control the outside and inside lanes, and his quick slides help protect him from counters. His hand technique is great, and they are quick to fire and are also quick to reload when needed. 

The main aspect of his game is his ability to mirror and stay in front of pass rushers. His agility and movement skills are great, and he can handle almost any rush. 

Cons

Well, pass protection is his strength. His cons come mostly in the running game. Technique, strength, bend, and power are all issues regarding being a run blocker. He will need to spend time in the weight room to address his main issue of lack of strength and power. 

Not everything is great with his pass protection. Paul has issues handling leveraged bull-rush attempts and lacks an anchor to stall them. He plays with a naturally high pad level and lacks proper bend, raising the pad level even more. 

There isn't much versatility with Paul, as he is a tackle-only prospect. He is too tall and plays too tall to work inside. He is also a scheme-specific tackle who will need a scheme to utilize his athleticism and cover his issues with strength or power. 

Fit With Broncos

The Broncos run a scheme that wouldn't be ideal for Paul. It would be a rough fit to try to make him work. His issues as a run blocker would be heightened even more, as the Broncos will likely look at being more run-first with such a clear concern at the quarterback position. 

Big Board Position: No. 99 overall.

Better Fit for Broncos

Well, Paul isn’t the best fit for the Broncos. He doesn’t fit the scheme, and his issues as a run blocker would only be heightened in a run-heavy scheme. 

As for Fisher or Rosengarten, either one of them would be a great pick for the Broncos. Fisher does need more development than Rosengarten and has a higher ceiling, but they can both be swing tackles as rookies who can take over as a starter. 

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