If the Denver Broncos are to make an "aggressive" foray into NFL free agency, as general manager George Paton vowed, solving their longstanding issue at right tackle should be the team's immediate area of focus.
And they can do so with one of the sport's most dependable players: Jawaan Taylor, whom Pro Football Network predicted will land with Denver when the signing period (unofficially) opens March 13.
"Right tackle has been a disaster area for the Broncos in recent years," wrote PFN's Dallas Robinson. "High-priced free agent options like Menelik Watson and Ja’Wuan James haven’t worked out, and while Cameron Fleming was surprisingly a stabilizing presence in 2022, Denver needs an upgrade.
"Taylor still has work to do as a run blocker, but he’s rapidly matured as a pass protector. He’d represent an offensive line investment that could lock down the Broncos’ right tackle for years to come."
Taylor, 25, has spent his entire career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted the Florida product with the 35th overall pick in 2019. He's been a mainstay at tackle, starting all 66 games and logging nearly 100% of offensive snaps.
A PFWA All-Rookie Team selection, Taylor is essentially the antithesis of 2022 Broncos starting RT Cameron Fleming — that is, solid in pass protection (75.9 rating, per Pro Football Focus) but a liability as a run-blocker (39.7).
Nevertheless, the Broncos might be attracted out of sheer necessity, with Fleming, RT Billy Turner, and OT Calvin Anderson all impending unrestricted free agents.
The team has an estimated $11.95 million in available salary cap room, according to Spotrac, which projected a $14 million annual market value for Taylor.
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