Finding Broncos: Five Offensive Linemen to Bring Needed Depth

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft with a group of offensive linemen who can bring needed depth to the unit.

Erick Trickel | Apr 5, 2023

While the Denver Broncos made multiple crucial signings on their offensive line to improve the starting unit, they are still lacking with their depth. This isn't a great class for offensive linemen, but there are some options as potential hidden gems the Broncos could look at to upgrade their depth. They also need a developmental option at tackle, especially if they move on from Garett Bolles this year or next.

Mark Evans II | IOL | Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Pros

He has the right mentality and physicality to be a bully in the trenches.
Overall, he did well protecting the quarterback allowing only five sacks and 44 total pressures over five seasons.
He moves more smoothly than expected and has solid lower body mechanics outside of an improper bend.
He has good awareness when pulling or climbing and can work well getting in front of the screen game.
He has huge hands with excellent grip strength that are hard to break free when he latches on.

Cons

He doesn't have an ideal size and could find himself as a center in the NFL.
His experience came at left tackle, and he will be on the interior.
He isn't a great athlete.
There will need to be work to clean up the penalties after 17 in the last two seasons.
He has an upright play style that must be corrected for better leverage.
There is no body control with his movements, which can get him into trouble when pulling or climbing.
There is power in his hands, but the technique is lacking.

Fit with Broncos

Evans is a solid prospect with good traits to work with. However, he has to be built up with the mechanics and technique. With most of his experience coming at left tackle, transitioning inside could take some time. However, as a one or two-year project, he makes sense for the Broncos as a developmental option for their interior.

Calen Chandler | IOL | Louisville

Pros

He has plenty of experience, with 3,404 snaps played in college and starting four years at left guard.
He did well in pass protection, never allowing more than 13 pressures or three sacks in a season.
He did relatively well in keeping things clean, with 25 penalties over his six seasons.
He has good technique when working cut-off, down, and double-team blocks.
There are flashes of exceptional technique with his hands that remain active but need it consistently.
He was praised for his football IQ and leadership qualities on and off the field.

Cons

There is an evident lack of strength in his upper body, and he struggles to generate push in the run game.
He doesn't have great body control, and there are a few instances of tripping up and falling when pulling or getting outside.
He struggles to sustain blocks with his issues of power, which is in his lower body as well.
He will be older for a rookie with six years of college football.
Having mobile quarterbacks behind him was a significant boost to hide deficiencies in pass protection.

Fit with Broncos

Caleb Chandler is an intelligent football player that picks things up quickly. However, with what he has put on tape, he doesn't seem to have a lot of upside to be a starter in the NFL. He does have some tools and traits to try and develop for specific teams, but it may be as an undrafted free agent signing.

Overall, he isn't a great fit for what Sean Payton wants to do on offense, and there will likely be better options to take that shot on.

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Chandler Zavala | OG | North Carolina State

Pros

He has excellent size, frame, and mass carrying his weight well.
He is a good athlete, especially for his size.
His production for his two years at NC State was fantastic, allowing eight pressures and no sacks.
There is no question about his power.
He has a good understanding of the game and executes the different types of blocks quite well.
There is good enough versatility to work in any run concept.
He plays with good leverage to get under defenders' pads and drive forcefully.

Cons

His feet aren't heavy, but they aren't light either, leading to some mobility concerns.
He can lag or lose awareness of moving defenders when climbing or pulling.
There are some body control issues when moving, and doesn't sustain balance.
He can get caught looking when quicker rushers cross his face.
There isn't much positional versatility, and likely will be a guard only.
Is he able to switch sides, or is he a left guard only?

Fit with Broncos

Zavala has been a rising prospect over recent weeks, helped with a great showing at his Pro Day. Despite having a great week at the Shrine Game, he wasn't invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. He is an excellent fit for what the Broncos will look for on offense and could provide outstanding depth. If he can switch sides easily, he could push Quinn Meinerz or allow them to move Meinerz inside to the center spot. At the very least, he is a considerable upgrade for their depth on the inside.

Dontae Bull | OT/OG | Fresno State

Pros

He has solid experience working at tackle on both sides of the line.
Over five seasons, he played 2,226 snaps on offense.
He has a good build on his six-foot-seven frame and carries his 320 pounds well.
His hand technique is solid, and he has plenty of grip strength to latch onto defenders.
There is plenty of power through his body to generate drive in the run game.
His feet are surprisingly light, and his agility isn't terrible when working laterally.
He has the bully mentality in the run game, plays through the whistle, and loves to finish his rep with the defender on the ground.

Cons

When facing faster and quicker pass rushers, Bull struggles.
He naturally has a high pad level and doesn't play with good bend, which could significantly hurt his ability to slide inside.
When playing 800 snaps on offense in 2021, he got called for 14 penalties, with 24 total penalties in his career.
His excellent grip strength is a plus, but he doesn't know when to pause and will get hit with holding.

Fit with Broncos

There is a good chance that Bull will go undrafted and could be a developmental tackle option for the Broncos. He fits with what they want to do on offense while fitting with what they need: developmental tackle options. His size and play demeanor aren't coachable, and while he has issues with technique and mechanics, those are correctable.

Alex Palczewski | OT/OG | Illinois

Pros

He has a good frame that has room for a little more mass.
His length is solid to hang at tackle in the NFL.
There is solid athleticism, with good agility and short area burst.
He has excellent experience starting 65 games over six seasons and playing 4,390 total snaps on offense.
He was practically a starter right away in college and never looked back.
There was experience starting at both guard spots and right tackle.
The overall efficiency of his blocking was good.
There are good movement skills and light feet when working laterally.
He plays with a solid bend in his knees and waist to keep his pad level lower.

Cons

He is a little light on the frame and can use a bit of extra mass from work in the weight room.
He will be an older rookie with six years of college experience.
He got hit with 33 penalties during his career, which isn't ideal.
There isn't consistency with his technique or movement skills.
He has a bad habit of not latching onto blocks and will drop his hands, leaving himself open to counters.
There isn't great power to his game, creating issues moving defenders.

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos need developmental pieces on their line, and Palczeksi fits the mold. There are concerns about his ceiling, and where he is as a prospect will likely see him go undrafted. He has experience at multiple spots to provide some positional versatility while offering enough to be scheme versatile. If he goes undrafted, he will make plenty of sense as the developmental option for Denver.

Not everyone is a great fit, but there are plenty of options to hand to Zach Strief and let him work on developing. As a late-round draft pick, Strief knows about the road later round or undrafted free agents must take to make it in the NFL.

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Published Apr 5, 2023

ERICK TRICKEL

Erick Trickel is the Senior Draft Analyst for Mile High Huddle, has covered the Denver Broncos, NFL, and NFL Draft for the site since 2014.