KUSA – And here Broncos Country thought the Broncos were going to protect Case Keenum on the right side with Menelik Watson.
Broncos general manager John Elway addressed arguably the team’s No. 2 priority this offseason by acquiring Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jared Veldheer in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick Friday. 9NEWS was the first to report the trade.
The team’s No. 1 offseason priority was a quarterback, which Elway took care of last week by signing Keenum to a two-year, $36 million contract. The deal includes $25 million in fully guaranteed money.
Now Keenum has much-needed protection with the addition of Veldheer, who is a Rocky Mountain of a man at 6-foot-8, 322 pounds. Veldheer, who will turn 31 in June, was a four-year starter for the Oakland Raiders before starting four more years with the Cardinals.
He has 101 starts, almost all at left tackle. With the Broncos, he will start at right tackle as the team wants to keep last year’s first-round draft pick Garett Bolles on the left side.
The Broncos’ offensive line has now been solidified with Bolles at left tackle, Ron Leary expected to be moved back to his natural left guard spot, Matt Paradis at center, Max Garcia or Connor McGovern at right guard and Veldheer at right tackle.
Bring onKhalil Mack, Justin Houston and Joey Bosa! (Or maybe let's not tell Veldheer how difficult it is to play right tackle in the AFC West.)
Veldheer has one year left on a five-year contract that will pay him a $6.5 million salary this year. He also will make $31,250 in a per-game roster bonus, or another $500,000 if he plays in all 16 games in 2018.
The Broncos badly needed a right tackle upgrade after Watson struggled mightily in pass protection last season. Watson was an effective run blocker. He can make up to $6.125 million this season, although none of that money is guaranteed.
With the addition of Veldheer, Watson likely would have to accept a significant pay cut to stay as a swing backup tackle.
