DENVER — John Elway has finally landed his right tackle.
On Friday evening, the Denver Broncos acquired OT Jared Veldheer from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a sixth-round pick, per Mike Klis.
At 6-foot-8, 321 pounds, Veldheer was the Cardinals’ starting left tackle from 2014-2016 before playing on both the left and right side last year. His last two seasons were cut short due to injury.
In 2016, Velheer was placed on the injured reserve after eight games with a tear in his right triceps and last year his season ended after 13 games with an ankle injury.
Last season, Veldheer graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 50th best offensive tackle, receiving the second-worst overall grade of his career only topping his rookie season.
Veldheer, 30, was a third-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2010 from Hillsdale College. He was with the Raiders from 2010-2013 before signing with the Cardinals.
He is expected to move to right tackle with the Broncos in order to keep Garett Bolles on the left side.
The trade comes one week after Elway admitted the team had come close to acquiring a few offensive tackles, but came up just short during the first week of the league year.
Veldheer has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $10.16 million.

0 Comments (5 conversations)
michaelkiken
Do you think this means the end for Menelik Watson in Denver?
Zac Stevens
AuthorI would think so. If the Broncos cut Menelik Watson he will have $2.66M in dead cap. However, the team would save $4.5M by doing so. If he stays on the roster, he will have a $7.2M cap hit.
Litvakski
Otherwise we would carry two guys with what looks like extensive injury histories. Do you think this move truly improves the position?
Zac Stevens
AuthorI do, but of course injury is a concern coming off two seasons of injuries. But that was the reason AZ was okay with moving on most likely.
michaelkiken
Do you think there would be a trade market for him with how thin the tackle market is?
Zac Stevens
AuthorProbably not. He didn’t fly off the market last year when he was an FA and since then he got a hefty contract and was injured again. $2.5M in dead cap isn’t bad though, totally manageable if they go that route. They could also try Menelik at guard. That could actually suit him better.
Steve Cañon
Veldheer is also a high character guy. He’ll be an asset to the team and in the locker room.
Zac Stevens
AuthorNo doubt, team captain for Arizona. Clint McDonald is also a very high character person!
ChristianC
This is a great new trend that Elway and Joseph are implementing in their player acquisitions, I love it!
Spacebar
Hahaha! “They went to Jared”….almost made me spit my coffee out!
Zac Stevens
AuthorLet’s just say one of the two BSN Broncos guys came up with that 😉
interesting very interesting…
ziggity187
Bolles
ziggity187
Bolles isn’t a left tackle though. Should be on the right side.