Could Branden Albert rejoin AFC West with Denver Broncos?
By Matt Conner
Former Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert could become a familiar face once again in the AFC West if he signs with the tackle-needy Denver Broncos.
Branden Albert is already well-acquainted with these parts, the cities and franchises of the AFC West. With his reported release coming from the Miami Dolphins, it’s possible that Albert could once again join this familiar territory.
While Miami is making way for a young emerging star like Laremy Tunsil, the reality is that Albert has plenty left in the tank as a solid starter and should earn a decent amount of suitors fairly quickly. Most teams could use an upgrade at one tackle position or another, and Albert even adds some versatility, having started at both tackle and guard for the Chiefs in years past.
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Albert originally signed a five-year, $47 million deal with the Dolphins in 2014, but struggled to stay in the line-up over the course of the long regular season, starting an average of just under 12 games per year in Miami. The Fins drafted Tunsil in last year’s draft and it was only a matter of time before Miami would move him over to save serious money at the left tackle position.
While Albert will not command another mega-money deal like he did in 2014, the 32-year-old still offers a quality starter at the pro level. Enter the Denver Broncos. The Broncos rolled the dice with Russell Okung in free agency last year, but he’s not expected to remain with the team in 2017. With Okung as a likely free agent, Denver should be looking for a new left tackle. What makes the connection even stronger is that the team’s new head coach is Vance Joseph, former defensive coordinator for, you guessed it, the Miami Dolphins.
Albert is a two-time Pro Bowler who spent the last three seasons in Miami after opening his long NFL career with six years in Kansas City.