Less than a week ago, Ja’Wuan James announced the Denver Broncos were announcing his decision to leave the 2020 season opt-out, causing the club to shake to close the gap on the right approach. Shortly after the James news broke, the Broncos activated Elijah Wilkinson from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and he has kept the right tackle since the hike.
On Saturday, the next domino fell into this ordinance when news broke that ex-Tampa Bay judge tackling Demar Dotson would try to beat the Broncos with an eye for a deal. On Sunday, KUSA’s Mike Klis reported that the Broncos have the framework of a deal with Dotson on the spot and that an agreement is imminent.
“Parameters of deal in place but not yet done. Expectation is that Dotson will be a Bronco by the beginning of the week pending virus testing / physical,” Klis tweeted on Sunday afternoon.
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As Klis intimates, Dotson still has to undergo a physical and he has to go through the two-stage test protocol of coronavirus from Denver, which also requires self-quarantine between tests. The club is using Klis as their public mouthpiece, so if Klis reports that a deal is expected to be done early this coming week, it’s true.
Unforeseen complications could arise, whether it is at the negotiating table, or by something found during a physical. But it is not likely. All signs point to Dotson becoming a Bronco next week by this time.
However, before fans can write Dotson’s name in sharpie at the start tackle right slot, the word from Dove Valley is that he will “push” Wilkinson for the privilege. After what Wilkinson produced in 12 starts last year, including forgiving 10 sacks and scoring six penalties (two false starts, four fouls), it is not obvious that he deserves the local advantage of the doubt.
Dotson, 34, started 15 games on the right approach for the Buccaneers last year, rank no. 31 among qualifiers with a 71.0 grade through Pro Football Focus. PFF gave Dotson a class of 72.4 as a pass blocker and a 67.3 class as a run blocker.
For the sake of comparison, Wilkinson earned a cumulative grade of 59.6 last year, ranking him no. 59 under tackles. For what it’s worth, even though Dotson graduated better in Tampa last year, he was penalized 10 times (five false starts, five holding), which is probably why he threw on the free agency for six months.
For now, the soon-to-be addition of Dotson is all about depth. The Broncos need bodies and viable options in offensive tackles with James going sabbatical.
Dotson entered the NFL as a college-free agent in 2009. An eight-year starter with the Bucs, he would immediately step onto the Broncos roster as the team’s most experienced approach, including James.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen en @MileHighHudde.
