The Broncos are doing extensive research in their effort to fill Ja’Wuan James‘ right tackle post. Four veterans — Bobby Massie, Dennis Kelly, Jermaine Eluemunor and Cameron Fleming — have come up thus far. Each is set to visit the team.
Denver has also expressed interest in Charles Leno. The right tackle-needy team has spoken with the longtime Bears left tackle-turned-free agent about the sudden vacancy, according to ESPN.com’s John Keim (on Twitter). However, Leno’s goal at the moment is to catch on with a team and play left tackle, Keim adds. The Broncos signed Ryan Pope earlier Tuesday but remain in the market for a starter-level tackle.
[RELATED: Washington Hosts Charles Leno On Visit]
Leno worked as the Bears’ starting left tackle from 2015-20 and graded as a top-30 tackle, per Pro Football Focus, last season. But Chicago cut him shortly after drafting Teven Jenkins in the second round. Leno, 29, went through a Monday workout with Washington, and it sounds like he remains in play for a stopgap role. Washington also drafted a tackle in Round 2, Texas’ Samuel Cosmi, but Leno’s visit signals the team is hunting for a short-term fix at Trent Williams‘ former spot.
No left tackle vacancy exists in Denver, with Garett Bolles having turned his career around in 2020. Bolles signed an extension to stay with the Broncos last year. The Broncos may well have considered another left tackle-to-right tackle conversion, but timing scuttled it. Days before James went down, the Ravens took Alejandro Villanueva off the market. They are prepared to move the longtime Steelers left tackle to the right side, where he is ticketed to replace Orlando Brown Jr. Villanueva worked under Broncos O-line coach Mike Munchak for several years in Pittsburgh.
Four of Leno’s pro seasons took place when Broncos HC Vic Fangio worked as the Bears’ defensive coordinator. For now, however, Massie is the more realistic option to follow Fangio from Chicago to Denver. Other free agent options include Mitchell Schwartz, Ricky Wagner and 2020 Broncos spot starter Demar Dotson.