Scouting Denver Broncos offensive tackle, Garett Bolles

The Denver Broncos selected former Utah offensive tackle Garett Bolles in the first-round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is a 6'5", 297lb and is considered one of, if not the best offensive tackle in the entire draft. Bolles is ranked as the 26th overall prospect in the 2017 NFL Draft according to CBS Sports and is ranked as the second-best offensive tackle prospect in the draft.

Garett Bolles

Offensive tackle, Junior, Utah

Height: 6'5" Weight: 297lbs 40 time: 4.95 seconds

Arm Length: 34" Hands: 9 3/8"

Bench Press: N/A Vertical Jump: 28 inches

Broad Jump: 115.0 inches(Top performer in his positional group at the Combine) 3 Cone Drill: 7.29 seconds (Top performer in his positional group at the Combine)

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.55 seconds (Top performer in his positional group at the Combine)

Film Room:

Scouting Report:

Strengths:

• Top-notch athletic ability for an offensive tackle
• Moves well and smooth and has good feet for an offensive lineman
• Mirrors edge rushers well because of his athleticism
• Initial powerful punch
• Aggressive and has a mean streak to him
• Good knee bend
• Good balance
• Plays through the whistle
• Dominated top competition in his only year at Utah
• Perfect fit for a zone-blocking scheme

How does Garett Bolles fit with the Broncos?

I was against the pick at first, but Bolles is quickly growing on me(I'm talking myself into it haha), but if Elway, McCoy, and Jeff Davidson approve of this pick, I cannot argue it too much.

Bolles will step in as the Broncos left tackle from day one and will quickly add some nasty to their offensive line. Here's what Bolles said at the Combine.

"When I’m on the field, I want to put people in the dirt," Bolles said Thursday. "And that’s what I’m here for. As an offensive lineman, you want to be the nasty prick that you can be. And whoever is in front of me, I want to drive them and put them in the dirt. So I’m just going to try to be that every single day. And when I come off the field, I love my family. I just learned how to turn the switch to to go back to the new Garett."

That's the mentality the Broncos are looking for and he fits it perfectly. Probably one of the big reasons why Bolles was high on their draft board.

I've warmed up on the pick some. It wouldn't have been my top choice, but you know what? Bolles fills a big need at the left tackle position so hopefully, it works out.

Here's what Bolles does well...he's highly athletic, a nasty run blocker who will kick your ass on the field, the best feet from any tackle in this draft, and has a high upside.

Hey @Broncos fans I studied all the OT's in this draft and Bolles was my favorite one of the bunch.

— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) April 28, 2017

I love Garrett Bolles. My favorite OL by far.

— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) April 28, 2017

Bolles was also NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah's 25th ranked player in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Bolles started for only one year at offensive tackle for the Utes. He has good size and length for the position. In pass protection, he is quick out of his stance and bends naturally. He has a sharp, tight punch and a firm anchor. He does get caught oversetting at times, which produces some inside pressure on the quarterback. He has good football awareness considering his limited experience. In the run game, he has knock-off power and shows some nastiness to finish to and through the whistle. He does get overextended at times, but I love his tenacity. Overall, Bolles has some things to clean up but he has starting left tackle ability.

Two former NFL offensive lineman approve of this pick, so maybe we should take a step back and reassess our current opinions of Bolles. A lot of people who are more knowledgeable about offensive lineman than us like the pick so maybe it's not as bad as it seems.