[brid autoplay=”true” video=”778613″ player=”23231″ title=”Postdraft%20NFL%20Power%20Rankings%20Top%2010″ duration=”227″ description=”undefined” uploaddate=”2021-05-08″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/778613_t_1620436821.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/778613.mp4″]
The Denver Broncos found their replacement for injured right tackle Ja’Wuan James on Wednesday, reportedly signing veteran Bobby Massie.
According to Massie’s agents over at AMDG Sports, the nine-year veteran has inked a one-year, $4 million contract with Denver.
Regardless of who is under center for the Denver Broncos in 2021, they needed to improve at right tackle. The aforementioned James opted out of the 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving a gaping hole on the right side. Those who replaced him did not step up opposite left tackle Garett Bolles.
Massie, 31, has started 110 of the 118 games in which he’s appeared since the Arizona Cardinals made the former Mississippi standout a fourth-round pick back in 2012. Over the course of the past five seasons with the Chicago Bears, he started all 64 games that he suited up in.
Now that the Broncos have filled one of their remaining roster holes, we look at three more moves the team should make ahead of training camp in late July.
Denver Broncos add another tight end to the mix
Despite the presence of Noah Fant, Denver seems to be pretty thin at tight end. If it is indeed Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater starting this coming season, adding another capable pass-catcher to the mix should be in the cards.
That’s where someone like injury-plagued former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert could come into play. He’d be a cheap option, likely signing a veteran minimum deal in the process. Eifert played in 31 of a possible 32 games over the past two seasons, recording a combined 79 receptions for 785 yards in stops with the Bengals and Jaguars.
Denver Broncos upgrade at linebacker with Avery Williamson
It’s no secret that Denver is not sold on former mid-round pick Josey Jewell holding down one of the starting inside linebacker positions in Vic Fangio’s defense. That’s why it selected former Ohio State star Baron Browning in the third-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. However, it seems unreasonable to believe that Browning can start Week 1 and potentially act as the defensive play-caller.
Enter into the equation an underrated veteran in Avery Williamson. He’s been playing at a near Pro Bowl level since entering the league as a mid-round pick of the Tennessee Titans back in 2014. Last season, in stints with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, Williamson recorded 111 tackles, three passes defended and an interception.
Denver Broncos trade for Aaron Rodgers
Right now, the odds are in the favor of Denver adding the reigning NFL MVP from the Green Bay Packers in what would be among the biggest blockbuster trades in modern league history. Rodgers, 37 wants out of dodge. He has threatened to either sit out the entire 2021 season or retire altogether. At some point, Green Bay will have to trade the unhappy future first ballot Hall of Famer.
Without a franchise quarterback since Peyton Manning’s four-year tenure with the Broncos came to an end in 2015, the time is now for this team to make that blockbuster move. Whatever the cost. Whatever the drama that would come with negotiations becoming public record. It doesn’t matter. Denver must do everything possible to add Aaron Rodgers to the mix.