NFL DRAFT

Schlereth: Eagles LT Peters the one Broncos sensible trade option

Apr 24, 2017, 6:56 PM | Updated: Apr 27, 2017, 11:50 am

Patience is a virtue, and Denver Broncos general manager John Elway has exercised a great deal of it since the start of the NFL’s new league year in early March.

Sure, the Tony Romo saga played out not just through the month but for several before that, which eventually ended in the now former Dallas Cowboys opting for door three — a broadcast career with CBS — over potentially playing for Denver or the Houston Texans.

But 1A in terms of the perhaps the most agonizing offseason story for Broncos fans is who will anchor the left side of the offensive line next season.

“One thing that Elway has done, he’s exercised patience. This free agent process, where we’re all pulling out hair out about the left tackle position, he’s all like, ‘Hey, it ain’t done yet. We don’t start playing until September. Calm down. We’ll figure it out,’” said “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth on Monday.

Elway even left all options on the table Monday afternoon in his pre-draft press conference at the UCHealth Training Center.

“We looked at all the options. We felt the direction we went was the best option for us at that time. Left tackles are not easy to find, so again we go back,” Elway said.

Among the names Elway mentioned as possible solutions at the position: Ty Sambrailo, Donald Stephenson and Menelik Watson.

One he did not mention, however, is Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jason Peters, whom has been pegged as a trade option for the Broncos.

And Schlereth said he thinks it would be the best trade option for Denver, over others like Joe Thomas and Joe Staley, should the club go that route.

“Jason Peters makes the most sense to me as a tradable asset because they were worried about his salary cap number to begin with, they were talking about potentially releasing him, and they’ve got a kind of a “theoretical, built-in replacement” who plays right tackle for them,” Schlereth said.

ESPN had reported earlier this year that the Eagles would ask Peters to trim his $9.95 million base salary in 2017, though NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the left tackle would be back at his full asking price next season.

Philadelphia agreed to a five-year extension with right tackle Lane Johnson in January 2016, whom Schlereth said the Eagles would like to move to left tackle at some point.

Both Peters and Johnson ranked among the top 10 tackles in the NFL last season, according to Pro Football Focus, coming in at No. 8 and No. 9 respectively.

So, it’s not hard to find exciting the prospects of the Eagles moving on from Peters to save cap room and create a spot at left tackle for Johnson while the Broncos landing its offensive anchor.

“I would be giddy. Jason Peters is one of my favorite players in all the National Football League,” Schlereth said. “The dude dispenses justice.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.

NFL Draft

Kevin O’Connell Vikings Sean Payton Broncos...

Andrew Mason

The Broncos’ draft plans are very much in the minds of other teams

The Minnesota Vikings have their QB plan … and part of it involves keeping tabs on what the Denver Broncos could have in mind.

2 days ago

J.J. McCarthy...

Andrew Mason

Broncos held private workout with Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

Sean Payton didn't attend J.J. McCarthy's Pro Day -- but he and the Broncos did better, having a private workout with him one day later.

3 days ago

Sean Payton...

Andrew Mason

Sean Payton: Trading up in first round is ‘realistic’

Sean Payton did not dismiss the notion of the Broncos making a trade up in the first round when asked about that Monday morning.

3 days ago

Bo Nix Broncos mock draft...

Andrew Mason

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. projects Bo Nix to Broncos at No. 12

Oregon’s Bo Nix appears to be a clear QB5 in the NFL Draft … but in Mel Kiper Jr.’s eyes, that could land him as the No. 12 overall pick.

9 days ago

J.J. McCarthy...

Jake Shapiro

New favorite emerges to select J.J. McCarthy in NFL Draft

Sean Payton may have found who he wants to be the next QB of the Denver Broncos but will Michigan's J.J. McCarthy still be on the board

10 days ago

Bo Nix at the Senior Bowl...

Andrew Mason

Does Bo Nix have some Drew Brees in him?

And if he does, might he be the best fit and most viable target for Broncos coach Sean Payton on his quarterback hunt?

10 days ago

Schlereth: Eagles LT Peters the one Broncos sensible trade option