Broncos make a big move on the offensive line

DENVER — John Elway made a massive signing along Denver’s offensive line Monday night.

The Broncos reached an agreement with OT Ja’Wuan James to a four-year contract, BSN Denver has confirmed.

James comes to Denver from Miami where he spent the first five years of his career after being selected in the first round, No. 19 overall, in 2014.

The 6-foot-6, 312-pound tackle has primarily played on the right side his entire career, dating all the way back to his collegiate days at the University of Tennesse.

James’ four-year deal is for a total of $52 million with $32 million guaranteed at signing. If he stays on the right side, his $13 million per year will make him the highest-paid right tackle in the entire NFL.

Denver’s interest in James isn’t new, either. Last offseason, the Broncos showed significant interest in trading for the former first-round pick, but Miami decided to keep him for one final year.

In his five years in the league, James has played a full season just twice. In 2015, he was limited to seven games before suffering a toe injury which landed him on the injured reserve.

He was once again placed on injured reserve and forced to miss half the season in 2017 due to a hamstring injury. Last year, he played in 15 games, only missing one game to a knee injury.

The Broncos entered the legal tampering period with a massive hole at tackle after letting Jared Veldheer and Billy Turner hit free agency unsigned. Garett Bolles was the team’s starting left tackle last year and remains under contract for two more seasons.

James will enter the 2019 season at only 27 years old.