Suddenly shorthanded at tackle along a high-priced offensive line, the Broncos are set to turn to a UDFA who missed all of his 2023 rookie season. As Alex Palczewski prepares to take over for Mike McGlinchey, Denver is looking into veteran options as well.
The Broncos brought in a familiar face for a Thursday workout. Cameron Fleming auditioned for his most recent NFL employer, 9News’ Mike Klis tweets. Fleming joined recently cut Commanders O-lineman Braeden Daniels at the workout.
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Fleming, 32, would supply the Broncos experience they lack. Denver has Palczewski and ex-Giants swingman Matt Peart in place as backup options for McGlinchey and Garett Bolles. The team did not need to turn to backup help much in 2023, with four of its five O-line starters (all but McGlinchey) playing 17 games. McGlinchey was available for the team’s first 16, but to start this season, the veteran RT is on IR with an MCL sprain. For the time being, Palczewski — an Illinois standout who spent all of last season on IR — will be asked to start opposite Bolles.
Fleming started in place of McGlinchey in Week 18 and saw more action for less healthy Broncos O-lines in 2021 and ’22. Brought in initially after Ja’Wuan James suffered an Achilles tear away from the team’s facility in 2021, Fleming started four games for that Denver edition but was needed for 15 starts in 2022. The Broncos used a different Week 1 right tackle starter each year from 2013-23. Fleming took his turn on that carousel in 2022, with his 15-game season coming two years after he served as the full-time Giants RT.
Pro Football Focus graded Fleming as a solid option, particularly in pass protection, in 2022. He re-signed with a rebooted Broncos team in 2023. Not too much interest came the journeyman blocker’s way this offseason, though the tackle-needy Browns auditioned him in August. The Broncos had struggled to provide sufficient protection for Bo Nix with their starting quintet in place, and the McGlinchey-to-Palczewski experience gap is obviously rather wide. Fleming could help fill the void, having familiarity with Sean Payton‘s system.
Daniels enjoyed a short Texans stint following his Commanders cut, as the rebuilding NFC East team cut five 2023 draftees. Houston also moved on from the second-year player, doing so this week. Daniels, 24, profiles as more developmental option; the former fourth-round pick has yet to play a regular-season snap.
