Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of NFL draft previews as it relates to the Broncos. Previous previews: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends. Today: offensive linemen
Broncos’ in-house moves: Signed offensive linemen Calvin Throckmorton, Matt Peart and Sam Mustipher to one-year deals.
Under contract: Garett Bolles (one year), Alex Forsyth (three years), Quinn Meinerz (one year), Mike McGlinchey (five years), Ben Powers (three years), Alex Palczewski (two years), Throckmorton, Mustipher and Peart.
Need scale: 7. Despite Denver adding a pair of offensive linemen in free agency, it still needs to address the future of the left tackle position. With Bolles, 31, expected to hit free agency in 2025, the Broncos could take advantage of a strong tackle class.
Top Five
1. Joe Alt, Notre Dame: Alt allowed only four sacks over three seasons at left tackle, according to Pro Football Focus. As a freshman in 2021, he spent time at tight end and on the offensive line. The four-star recruit’s his dad, John, was an offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs. His brother Mark has played in the NHL for the Avalanche, Flyers and Kings.
2. Olu Fashanu, Penn State: Fashanu could’ve been the first offensive tackle off the board last year but elected to return for another season in Happy Valley. He was named the 2023 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year after allowing zero sacks in 365 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Fashanu played with quarterback Caleb Williams at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.
3. Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State: Playing at right tackle, Fuaga didn’t allow a sack in 716 pass-blocking snaps over the last two seasons, according to PFF. In 2023, Fuaga was named to the Associated Press All-American second team and All-Pac-12 first team.
4. JC Latham, Alabama: Latham played left tackle in high school before switching to the right side at Alabama. At 6-foot-6 and 342 pounds, Latham has plenty of size and could start in his first season as a pro. He excels in run blocking and would be a solid addition for any team seeking to improve its ground game.
5. Troy Fautanu, Washington: Fautanu was named First Team All-Pac 12 in back-to-back seasons while winning the 2023 Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the conference. Fautanu has experience at left tackle and guard and could play either position in the league.
Other Broncos options
The Broncos have eight picks total but no second-rounder. Their first selection is No. 12, then No. 76 in the third round and six Day 3 selections. A look at options spanning Round 1 to the back of the draft.
1. Javon Foster, Missouri: Foster was among a handful of players who improved his stock during the Senior Bowl. He was named third-team All-American and first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press after allowing one sack in 13 contests. Foster started 38 straight games at left tackle.
2. Kiran Amegadjie, Yale: Amegadjie has a good combination of athleticism, size and length, with the ability to play left tackle and guard. NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he is “a little bit of a project,” but he can collapse people in the run game.
3. Dominick Puni, Kansas: Puni is a guard prospect but could also play left tackle. He was named first-team All-Big 12 after he didn’t allow a sack in 342 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle. In 2022, he played 848 snaps at left guard. “He is (313) pounds. So he can move people, but he can still move,” Jeremiah said.
4. Matt Goncalves, Pittsburgh: Goncalves has the potential to be a quality backup who could turn into a starter down the road. He has experience playing both tackle spots, as he played 302 snaps at left and 525 at right in 2022, according to PFF.
5. Drake Nugent, Michigan: If the Broncos wanted to give Forsyth more competition at center, they could target Nugent late. A Highlands Ranch High School grad, he helped the Wolverines win the national championship in 2023. He started in all 15 games and was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, which honors the most outstanding center in college football.
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