One of the top interior offensive linemen in this year’s free-agent class is reportedly heading to the Mile High City. Guard Ben Powers is set to join the Broncos on a four-year contract, per Mike Klis of Denver7. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that the contract is worth $52M, and includes $28.5M guaranteed.
Broncos GM George Paton said the team would be focusing on its offensive line, and this contract will bring one of the top offensive linemen available to Denver. This marks the third eight-figure-per-year guard contract the Broncos have authorized since 2017. They added Ronald Leary, Graham Glasgow and now Powers in that time. Neither of the prior two deals ended up panning out for the AFC West team — Denver cut Glasgow after three seasons on Friday — and this one will ensure Dalton Risner finds a home elsewhere.
This agreement will put Powers firmly in the top 10 in salary among guards, and Sirius XM’s Adam Caplan tweets he will earn $15M in its first year. Powers, 26, has gone from needing to win a competition to lock down a spot as a Ravens starter to becoming one of the most sought-after free agents on the market.
This will give the Broncos a guard tandem of Powers and Quinn Meinerz. Pro Football Focus ranked the latter as its No. 6 overall guard in 2022. Powers checked in much lower, just inside the top 40, but the advanced metrics website ranked him as its second-best pass-blocking guard. ESPN’s run block win rate also placed Powers in the top 10 among guards.
For the Ravens, this will continue a trend. Often prioritizing compensatory picks, Baltimore has let the likes of Kelechi Osemele, Ryan Jensen and Bradley Bozeman walk in free agency over the past 10 years. Powers will parlay his 18-start contract year into big dollars, creating a need up front for the Ravens. The AFC North team still has Ben Cleveland and swingman Patrick Mekari under contract.
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