Three of Denver’s starting offensive linemen from Super Bowl 50 may not return in 2016, and the answer for replacing at least one of them could be with a former Bronco.
Left tackle Ryan Harris and left guard Evan Mathis became free agents on March 6 when the 2016 league year began. Right guard Louis Vasquez became a free agent when the Broncos cut him on March 5 in an effort to clear cap space.
Max Garcia, who played in rotation with both Mathis and Vasquez as a rookie in 2015, is expected to step in to a starting role next year. Harris will be replaced by one of three options: A restructure for Ryan Clady (who missed all of 2016 with injury), the return of Ty Sambrailo (who missed most of 2016 with injury) or with new acquisition Donald Stephenson (signed as a free agent).
That leaves one guard position to be filled. Mathis, who will turn 35 during the season, hasn’t ruled out a return, but he struggled with injury throughout the season and came at a $4 million price-tag.
Denver has second-year player Robert Myers on the roster along with Garcia, but a veteran starter will likely be considered. And there are two former Broncos currently on the open market that might be worthwhile to consider.
Manny Ramirez played three years in Denver from 2012 – ’14, including a starting role on the ’13 Super Bowl team at center. But he also played 15 games at guard the year prior. Last year in Detroit he played in all 16 games, starting seven at guard.
Ramirez does not intend to return to Detroit and although he just turned 33, he’s remained mostly healthy through his eight year career. Ramirez earned $1.4 million last year and missed out on a $450,000 playing time incentive. He could come in around that same number this year and might be a worthwhile option on a single-year contract.
Zane Beadles is another former Broncos guard who became available when Jacksonville engaged in their own cost-cutting strategy. Beadles was slated to earn $5.5 million in 2016 – the same amount Denver saved by cutting Vasquez.
The 29-year-old started every game in his two years in Jacksonville, but his pass blocking and price tag did not balance one another out. Beadles would be asked to play a very different role in Gary Kubiak‘s offense, and his price tag has likely come down after his time in Jacksonville.
Beadles has been durable during his time in the league, starting all 94 of 96 games since being drafted in 2012. He could provide Denver a two- to three-year option, not to mention a familiar face Broncos fans would be happy to see back.