Zane

Beadles

Beadles finished his career with the Falcons last season, but he played his best football with the Broncos, who picked him in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. He left Denver for a big-money deal with the Jaguars in 2014, but he struggled to live up to the contract. All in all, Beadles started 120 games for four different teams across his nine seasons.

The nine-year veteran could not make the 49ers out of camp this season. He will be interior depth for the banged up Falcons.

With an eye on re-signing Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Von Miller before 2015, the Broncos aren’t expected to pony up the cash for Beadles. If Franklin moves inside, they’ll have a formidable power due up the middle with RG Louis Vasquez and C Manuel Ramirez. Chris Clark, who excelled on Peyton Manning’s blind side in 2013, would kick to right tackle with LT Ryan Clady back healthy. The Broncos are going to have a good line again in 2014.

Beadles graded out as just the No. 51 guard by Pro Football Focus this season, but is considered a strong pass protector and was a Pro Bowler in 2012. He should draw interest from multiple teams if allowed to test the open market. Rotoworld currently ranks Beadles as the No. 6 guard available this offseason.

There’s been speculation Beadles could be available after Jacksonville drafted OG A.J. Cann in the third round. Beadles was a run-blocking liability in 2014, but has drawn praise for his improved footwork. Jaguars.com’s John Oehser doesn’t get the sense Jacksonville is counting on Cann to start over Beadles.

There’s been no indication the Jaguars will cut or trade Beadles, but he is coming off a bad first season in Jacksonville, and the Jaguars added third-round G/C A.J. Cann and signed C Stefen Wisniewski to go along with second-year RG Brandon Linder. Beadles could be on the chopping block by the end of summer. The Dolphins are relying on unknowns Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner at guard.

The Broncos seem content to allow Beadles to test free agency, where he could receive upwards of $5 million annually. Denver could replace Beadles in-house by kicking RT Orlando Franklin to left guard, and moving 2013 LT Chris Clark to right tackle. Beadles is Rotoworld’s No. 6 free-agent guard.

GM Dave Caldwell stated all along that his top priority was to upgrade the interior of Jacksonville’s offensive line. Beadles had a down year in 2013 but is normally a well above-average pass protector. He and LT Luke Joeckel will hold down the left side of the Jaguars’ line for years to come. Beadles got $13 million guaranteed.

With promising second-year G Brandon Linder at right guard and the newly-signed Stefen Wisniewski expected to man center, Beadles looks like the weakest link in a suddenly solid interior line. A pro-ready prospect, Cann should push Beadles hard and has a shot to start. Beadles signed a five-year, $30 million deal last spring, but he has no guaranteed money left after this season.

A four-year starter at South Carolina, Cann is a pro-ready run blocker who should push Beadles in training camp. Stefen Wisniewski is expected to start at center, with Brandon Linder remaining at right guard. Signed to a five-year deal last offseason, Beadles has no guaranteed money beyond 2015.