Without a doubt, Peyton Manning is the most valuable asset to the Denver Broncos. But what's the second most valuable asset? The offensive line, which keeps the most valuable asset upright and healthy.
Broncos face health concerns along offensive line
With three-fifths of the offensive line coming off injuries, are the Broncos healthy enough to get back to the playoffs in 2013?
Doug Pensinger
But right now, that line isn’t fortified.
Three of the most important pieces of the offensive line -- right guard Chris Kuper, left tackle Ryan Clady and center J.D. Walton -- have injury concerns entering the 2013 season. Are they healthy enough to keep Manning healthy? It's a concern for the Broncos this offseason.
Clady, 26, is a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first team All-NFL selection. Clady played all 16 games this season (in fact, he hasn’t missed a game in his five-year career), but he torn his right rotator cuff late in the year and will miss portions of training camp.
Kuper, 30, is the leader of the offensive line, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Kuper played in just seven games in 2012. He had offseason surgery to “replace a shattered plate that held his left ankle together from his previous year’s surgery,” according to Klis. He’s expected to miss the early portion of training camp.
Walton, who will turn 26 at the end of March, played in just four games in 2012, his third year in the league. He broke his left ankle and missed the remainder of the season.
If everything goes as scheduled, all three will be healthy to start the 2013 season. But the Broncos can’t count on all three staying healthy over the course of the season. They need to add depth to keep The Franchise healthy himself.
The best way to do that is through the draft. While the latest SB Nation NFL mock draft has the Broncos selecting a safety in the first round, there is depth among offensive linemen in this year’s draft. The Broncos could solidify the future of their line with picks in the second and third round.
In all reality, the Broncos' best option is through the draft. They aren't necessarily looking to sign any big-money free agents this offseason, and why would they with their current crop of talent? Instead of tying money up into free agents, they can improve the line through the draft and put their money elsewhere. Instead of drafting a defensive back in the first round, the Broncos could sign, say, Ed Reed and then draft a lineman in the first round to groom for the future.
Scott Payne of Mile High Report toys with the idea that the Broncos could go after Alabama right tackle DJ Fluker in the draft. If the Broncos get Fluker, that would mean they snag him in the first round or even move up in the draft to get him.
The Broncos have a lot of options this offseason, but they can’t waver on this one: They need to keep Manning’s jersey clean. Whether they do that in the draft or free agency, it’s a priority to make the Broncos the best team in the AFC again.
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