NFL Rumors: Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins could show interest in Zane Beadles
Denver Broncos guard Zane Beadles (68) against the San Diego Chargers. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos left guard Zane Beadles is one of several starters set to hit the free agent market, and it will be interesting to see if the team chooses to re-sign him or allows him to walk. Beadles was technically the “weak link” on the Broncos offensive line last year, but that’s more of a statement of just how amazing the line was. Chris Clark, Louis Vasquez, Orlando Franklin, and Manny Ramirez all played at an extremely high level, so Beadles’s down year looked worse than it really was.
Draft insider Tony Pauline reports that Beadles would be fine with hitting the free agent market if he isn’t re-signed, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise at all. I mean, there should be several teams interested in adding a starting guard, so he knows that he should receive a significant payday if he does hit the open waters.
Pauline also reports that the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars would “head the list of suitors” if Beadles does hit the free agent market, and this shouldn’t come as a surprise either. Both the Dolphins and Jaguars desperately need help at guard, as the ‘Fins blocking was an unmitigated disaster last season. Tackle is a big need for them, but they need help at guard just as badly. For the Dolphins, drafting an offensive tackle and signing a guard looks like the best policy and might be the minimum requirement for upgrading the blocking for Ryan Tannehill, Lamar Miller, and the rest of the Dolphins offense.
The Jaguars offensive line isn’t in as dire straits as the Dolphins line, but they could also use an upgrade at the guard position in a big way. Will Rackley simply didn’t get the job done, and even another underperforming year from Beadles would still be a significant upgrade over Rackley. If Beadles plays like he did in 2012, then he would be a great signing for either club.