Fansided

Broncos sign Ryan Harris, per report

By Matt Verderame

October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Ryan Harris (68) lines up during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi
October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Ryan Harris (68) lines up during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Denver Broncos have signed offensive tackle Ryan Harris, according to Jeff Legwold and Adam Schefter of ESPN. Harris spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs at right tackle, but was allowed to hit free agency. With left tackle Ryan Clady tearing his ACL during an OTA workout on Wednesday afternoon, this comes as little surprise.

Harris, 30, was originally a third-round pick of Denver in 2007. Harris remained with the Broncos until the 2011 campaign when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. After two seasons with the Houston Texans, Harris joined the Chiefs in 2014. Last year, Harris rated 38th of 84 qualifying offensive tackles on Pro Football Focus. Interestingly enough, Clady came in 41st.

Harris will compete with Chris Clark, a holdover who has played extensive snaps for Denver over the past two years. Harris is the favorite over Clark at this point to get the nod.

The Broncos have a new-look offensive line with Clady likely out for the season. Guard Orlando Franklin left for a long-term deal with the San Diego Chargers this offseason, while center Manny Ramirez was dealt to the Detroit Lions during the 2015 NFL Draft. Will Montgomery was also allowed to leave via free agency, catching on with the Chicago Bears and former head coach John Fox.

General manager John Elway brought in second-round pick Ty Sambrailo to compete at right tackle, while Shelley Smith and Geno Gradkowski will replace the other departures. Considering the lack of mobility in Peyton Manning’s legs, the Broncos need to figure out his offensive front.

Under new head coach Gary Kubiak, the offensive system will call for ample bootlegs and roll-outs, something that is foreign to the future 39-year-old Hall of Famer. It will be intriguing to see how Denver’s offense develops throughout the remainder of OTAs, mandatory minicamp and then training camp.

More from FanSided

Home/Denver Broncos