Here are the options for the Broncos at right tackle with Ja’Wuan James out for the year

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Ja’Wuan James’ 2021 season is over before it even began after the Broncos high-paid right tackle tore his Achilles, as first reported by Adam Schefter.

The Broncos made the former first-round pick the highest-paid right tackle in NFL history in 2019 when they signed him to a four-year, $51 million contract. He ended up playing 63 total snaps at right tackle his first year with the team as he battled multiple injuries. He opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19.

James was working out away from the Broncos’ facility when he tore his Achilles, putting his career with the team in jeopardy. Since James was not working out at the team facility when the injury occurred, the Broncos are no longer obligated to pay him his $10 million salary for the 2021 season.

But regardless of how the financial sides pans out for this year and the future, Denver has a serious hole at right tackle.

Here are the options Denver can turn to in order to protect Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater or, say, Aaron Rodgers this year. Fortunately for the Broncos, the list is long.

Internal options

Calvin Anderson

The third-year tackle is the natural replacement on the roster for James as he’s currently Denver’s swing tackle after Elijah Wilkinson and Demar Dotson left in free agency.

Anderson, who can solve a Rubik’s Cube behind his back, has been with Denver since midway through his rookie season in 2019 and started two games at tackle, one on each side, last year. The undrafted free agent has played a total of 132 snaps on offense in his career.

Dalton Risner

Denver’s second-round pick in 2019 has played every game of his NFL career for the Broncos at left guard. But during his final three years at Kansas State, the Colorado Native dominated the Big-12 competition at right tackle starting 37 games. In his first year on the right side, Risner earned All-Big 12 honors. The following two years, he was named a First-team All-American by Pro Football Focus for his work at right tackle.

During the 2021 NFL Draft, Vic Fangio admitted Risner has been prepared to be Denver’s emergency right tackle the past two season. With James out for the season, and Denver building depth at center and guard, this may be the year to drop “emergency” from that statement and have him be the Broncos’ right tackle.

If Risner were to slide out to right tackle, Netane Muti would be a natural replacement, either at left guard or right guard with Graham Glasgow playing the other spot. Third-round rookie Quinn Meinerz would then become the backup swing guard in 2021.

Free agents

Charles Leno

The long-time starting left tackle for the Bears was released by Chicago on Tuesday. The timing couldn’t be better for the Broncos to potentially swoop in.

The seventh-round pick in 2014 started the past 93 games for the Bears before they released him after selecting tackle Teven Jenkins in the second round of the draft. Leno made the Pro Bowl in 2018.

Leno would be an instant starter, although he would have to flip sides as Garett Bolles is Denver’s left tackle. The 29-year old could be more than just a one-year answer at right tackle too, which is something the Broncos have desperately been seeking for years.

Mitchell Schwartz

Before last year, the former Chief was one of the best and most reliable right tackles in the NFL for the previous eight seasons. But Kansas City moved on from the All-Pro tackle after he had back surgery last year and was only able to play in six games.

Back surgery is nothing to overlook, especially when it comes to 32-year-old tackles. However, if he checks out medically, the upside is tremendously high as he’s not just a starter, but an upgrade from anything Denver has had at the position for years.

Demar Dotson

The 35-year-old tackle did a stand-up job starting eight games for Denver at right tackle last year.

After a 10-year career as Tampa Bay’s starting right tackle, Dotson joined the Broncos as an insurance policy to Wilkinson when James opted out in 2020. The 6-foot-9 tackle was everything Denver could have hoped for and more as he provided a veteran presence and stability on the right side of the line.

Dotson would be an affordable, one-year replacement at right tackle.

Russell Okung

The former first-round pick could join the Broncos for a second time in his career. The veteran tackle has had injury concerns of his own throughout his 11-year career as he’s only played a full season once. That just happened to be his one season with Denver in 2016.

Okung has made two Pro Bowls (2012 & 2017), but has only played in 13 total games over the past two seasons. The entrepreneur would gladly accept his salary in Bitcoin, not a joke, and possible Dogecoin, potentially a joke.

Eric Fisher

The former No. 1 overall pick is coming off a torn Achilles of his own. Since he suffered the injury in January, it’s uncertain when he would be healthy. Signing the former Chief would likely be a move made closer to training camp so the team knows exactly where he is at in his rehab process.

Dennis Kelly

The former fifth-round pick in 2012 is another plug-and-play tackle currently available on the market. Kelly started all 16 games last year at right tackle for the Tennessee Titans, helping Derrick Henry rush for over 2,000 yards. However, that was the only time in his career he started an entire season.

After signing a three-year, $21 million deal before last season, Kelly was cut by the Titans in March. The 31-year old would be an instant starter at right tackle for Denver.