There’s still one way the Broncos can get something out of Garett Bolles

“Garett’s going to compete for a job, like everybody else on the football team.”

In his annual post-draft press conference, Broncos president of football operations John Elway made it clear: Garett Bolles is on notice. Since entering the league in 2017, the much-maligned left tackle has been flagged for holding 20 times, leading all offensive linemen in his first two years as a starter.

Bolles, who was showered with praise for his athleticism and potential as a rookie, has largely fallen short of expectations. He was informed last Friday that the fifth-year option on his rookie contract would not be picked up by the Broncos.

The stage is now set for Bolles to fight not only for his job here in Denver, but his immediate future in the NFL. And the odds are stacked heavily against him. In fact, historical data suggests the Broncos will likely look to trade him before the end of the season.

From 2011 to 2016, there were 59 players who had their fifth-year options declined. Only five of those players (8.4 percent) re-signed with the team they were drafted by originally.

Short of a remarkable Pro-Bowl caliber turnaround, it appears highly unlikely that Bolles will be protecting Drew Lock’s blindside in 2021. Mike Munchak, who is widely considered one of the preeminent offensive line coaches in the NFL, may be able to help Bolles realize his true potential, but he is likely three years too late.

During that same seven-year span, 12 of those 59 players (20 percent) saw their NFL careers vanish entirely, never playing another regular season snap after their rookie contract expired. Bolles may have fallen well short of the qualifications for a top-20 pick, but underneath the flurry of yellow flags and the seemingly indifferent demeanor, lies enough athletic ability to occupy an NFL roster in some capacity.

The idea that Bolles will simply play out his final year before signing with another team in free agency, just as 23 of the 59 players (39 percent) did, seems logical. But the Broncos would be wise to shop him before then.

It’s not a revolutionary concept, either. Bolles would actually be the 19th first-round draft pick to be traded after having his fifth-year option declined, which accounts for roughly 31 percent of sample. He would follow in the footsteps of players like Blaine Gabbert, Sammy Watkins and Greg Robinson. The Broncos could get some form of a return on their poorly placed investment.

They won’t fetch a king’s ransom, however, as the average draft compensation among the 18 traded players was a sixth-round draft pick. The Broncos, to their credit, have earned a reputation for finding and developing talented players on day three of the draft. Danny Trevathan (2012), Matt Paradis (2014) and Will Parks (2016) were all drafted in the sixth round and became key contributors during their years with the team.

Netane Muti – the 6-foot-3, 315-pound guard from Fresno State who was taken by the Broncos in the sixth round this year – was considered one of the top talents at his position when healthy.

The NFL draft is a notoriously imperfect science. Sometimes, teams just miss. Bolles will likely be remembered as a first-round bust, and add plenty of fuel to the fire that burns within fans who are critical of Elway’s decision-making. But finding a way to trade him, and all of the bad memories attached to his years as a Bronco, could go a long way in extinguishing those flames.