After Ja’Wuan James opted out of the 2020 season, the Denver Broncos will need a new plan at right tackle.
James, who missed most of last season while injured, was expected to serve as Denver’s starting right tackle this year. The most likely candidate to replace him is Elijah Wilkinson, who joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Massachusetts in 2017.
Wilkinson served as a backup swing guard/tackle as a rookie and then was an injury fill-in starter for seven games in 2018. Last year, Wilkinson started in 12 games as a fill-in for James.
Wilkinson was originally expected to compete with Garett Bolles for the starting left tackle job this summer. Now that James is no longer part of the picture, Wilkinson will be the clear favorite to start at right tackle, which means Bolles will be expected to keep his starting job as well.
Wilkinson was penalized six times and allowed eight sacks last season, according to STATS LLC. He is currently on Denver’s physically unable to perform list but should be back on the practice field by mid-August.
