Initial expectations and projections for Graham Glasgow with the Broncos in 2020

DENVER — John Elway’s first move in free agency was also his biggest — not only in terms of money, but the size of the player involved.

Hours after the legal tampering window opened, the Broncos locked up guard Graham Glasgow. The 6-foot-6 interior offensive lineman signed a lucrative four-year, $44 million contract, making him the NFL’s eighth-highest paid guard and the 10th-highest-paid interior offensive lineman.

Here’s what Denver can expect from their new high-priced offensive lineman in 2020.

Projections for 2020: 16-game starter at right guard; borderline Pro Bowler

Along with being a darn-good football player, the former third-round pick brings another asset with him to Denver — incredible versatility.

In the past three seasons, Glasgow has started extensively at left guard, center and right guard. While he played well at all three positions, he played his best ball at right guard last year. And that’s exactly where he’ll play with the Broncos.

Starting 15 games at right guard in 2019 with the Lions, Glasgow graded out as the ninth-best guard in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. That, along with the fact that Denver is paying him top-10 money for a guard, he should — should — be a top-10 guard in 2020, especially since he’ll only be 28 years old once the season begins.

At right guard, Glasgow did not allow a sack in 2019 and has only given up an average of two sacks per year in his career. He should be in the Pro Bowl conversation year in and year out in orange and blue.

If, however, Denver needs a center in a pinch throughout the season, Glasgow could easily slide inside and play center at a high level, too.

The Broncos attempted to land a franchise guard in free agency in 2017 by signing Ron Leary to a big contract. However, Leary couldn’t consistently stay on the field, missing 14 games in his three-year tenure with the team. But Glasgow is about as reliable as they come, only missing two games in his entire four-year career.

Now, the Broncos will have a reliable and darn-good guard duo with Glasgow and Dalton Risner.