Finding Broncos: 5 Versatile OL to Provide Depth at Multiple Spots

While the Denver Broncos have significantly improved their starting lineup on the offensive line, they still need to improve their depth. Obviously, versatile offensive linemen are always an added bonus for depth because they can step in at those different spots if required.

Additionally, having that versatility also helps the numbers game when it comes down to cutting down to the final roster. This isn't a great class for the offensive line, but some options can provide that versatile depth.

Jarrett Patterson | IOL | Notre Dame

Pros

He has good experience with over 3,000 snaps played, starting games at center and left guard.
Overall, he is a solid athlete with solid explosion and good short-area burst.
His hand technique is sound, and they fire quickly into the chest of defenders.
He has plenty of grip strength to sustain blocks.
There is a constant effort to improve his positioning on blocks.

Cons

He has short arms that are the sixth shortest for a center and fourth for a guard.
He has heavy feet and poor agility.
There isn't great power in his frame.
He doesn't keep his head on a swivel and will lower his head when climbing or pulling, missing landmarks.
His upper and lower body don't work in synch.
His short arms don't always land at full extension.
He isn't overly quick shuffling in the gap.
There is a bad habit of opening himself up for counters.
His blocks have little force, and he lacks the power to generate drive.

Fit with Broncos

While Patterson has versatility with the ability to play guard and center, there is a question about what scheme is best. He doesn't have the power for gap/power schemes and lacks the movement skills and lower body mechanics for a zone scheme. That makes his fit with any team extremely difficult to project.

Jordan McFadden | IOL | Clemson

Pros

There is good experience with McFadden playing nearly 3,000 snaps in his career.
While he is going to move inside, he has shown he is comfortable playing on both sides of the line.
He has great length for an interior offensive lineman with 34-inch arms.
He is a solid athlete with good speed and burst.
Overall, he did well in pass protection, with nine sacks and 44 pressures allowed over five seasons.
There is good body control and awareness when he is working to the second level.
He has an awareness of stunts and twists.
He has good technique when double-teaming and passing off blocks.
There is good power to generate drive as a run blocker.
He has an excellent build on his frame.

Cons

He played tackle in college and doesn't have the size or length to be seriously considered an NFL tackle.
He has to find that balance between sustaining and holding blocks.
There were seven penalties against him in the last two seasons.
His play falters consistently when dealing with tougher edge defenders.
There is a bad habit of popping up in his pad level and giving up his natural leverage.
He has to play with tighter hands.
He doesn't have the lightest of quickest feet.

Fit with Broncos

While he got his experience at tackle, he is going to move inside for the NFL and could even find himself at center. Although transitioning to playing inside in the NFL could take some time, he enters with good experience on both sides. That works for the Broncos, who want power from their blockers, and he can work as a developmental swing guard or even center with more development.

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Nick Broeker | IOL | Ole Miss

Pros

He is a solid athlete with a good build on his frame with solid length.
There is great experience with 3,323 snaps played over four seasons, working as a left tackle and left guard.
He has been praised for his football IQ and how he sees the game, which could be utilized as a center.
When he is climbing, he takes good angles to reach his landmarks.
When he doesn't have a matchup, he looks for work.
He has the right attitude, nasty demeanor, and desire to finish his assignment on the ground.
While he doesn't have ideal power, he quickly gets into his anchor.

Cons

A lack of power leads to issues generating push and holding up when anchored.
He has to improve his grip strength and technique to help sustain in the run game.
Penalties were an issue, with 23 in four seasons.
While his length isn't ideal, it is below standards.
He can get got by stunts and twists by going after his man instead of shifting off.
There is a bad habit of popping instantly up off the snap, giving easy leverage to defenders.
His body control is poor, leading to pass protection inconsistencies and working as a puller/climber.

Fit with Broncos

Broeker doesn't have enough power to his game and will need time to grow in the weight room. However, he has the football IQ and a solid technical foundation for the NFL. If the Broncos view him more as a center, he will make more sense than a guard. Either way, though, he will need a year in the weight room before being ready. So he does fit the need for developmental depth.

Jeremy Cooper | IOL | Cincinnati

Pros

He has good size and a good frame with an NFL build.
He has great length for an interior offensive lineman.
He has good power to generate drive, and sustain blocks.
He has good awareness when working as a climber or puller.
While he doesn't have much experience, he got solid exposure with nearly 2,000 snaps played.

Cons

He is a poor athlete lacking burst and explosion off the snap.
Sometimes he is a hair late getting off the snap, putting him in a bad position early.
His overall movement skills are poor.
The technique is lacking overall.
He doesn't keep his body working in sync, which can get him into trouble.

Fit with Broncos

Cooper is more power than anything at this point. He can easily fit with the Broncos' offense and fill a need. While he won't be an upgrade to their depth as a rookie, he can be a practice squad stash candidate to work and develop further.

Braeden Daniels | IOL/OT | Utah

Pros

He has a solid frame and build, with great length.
He is an outstanding athlete, testing at or near the top in every category at the NFL Combine.
He played nearly 3,000 snaps in college, mostly between 2019, 2021, and 2022 seasons.
He started 43 of the last 45 games he has played in.
He got experience at both tackle spots and left guard.
There is excellent lateral agility, body control, and awareness when working as a puller or climber.
He is praised for his football IQ and has the right attitude and demeanor for the NFL.
He made significant strides with his technique in pass protection after 2019, where he allowed three sacks and 25 pressures, to allowing two sacks and 33 pressures over his last three years.
He is quick in the gaps, making it hard for defenders to penetrate without getting squeezed.
He has the ideal skills to be an immediate starter in an outside zone-heavy scheme.

Cons

While he has experience at tackle, he doesn't have the size to work there outside emergencies in the NFL.
He will be scheme limited, without much power to his game.
His hand technique is still a work in progress, with a long way to go.
He has a good frame that can use more mass to improve his build.
He had an issue with penalties, with 18 in his five years, with 17 coming between his three full-time years.

Fit with Broncos

If the Broncos were going to be a zone-heavy scheme and needed an immediate starter, he would be an ideal fit. However, neither of those happens to be the case. Daniels is an excellent athlete, but he doesn't fit with what the Broncos need or does on their offensive line. That said, he will likely make some team extremely happy with inserting him into a heavy zone scheme.

Whatever way the Broncos go, they have to find options to improve their depth. Their current options can be upgraded and should be upgraded as much as possible in one off-season.

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