Ja'Wuan James is a name to monitor for the Broncos when the new league year begins.

Per Mike Klis of 9News, the team will be seeking a starting offensive tackle -- despite John Elway's subtle endorsement of Menelik Watson -- and they "prefer" James, who may or may not hit the open market.

A 2014 first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, James has a $9.34 million fifth-year option due on March 14, the start of NFL free agency. If the Dolphins rescind the option, as reports indicated, he'd immediately become a free agent. Otherwise, he'd remain under their control, and Denver would need to surrender draft capital and/or players to acquire him.

Klis, in response to a reader's suggestion, floats the possibility of a C.J. Anderson-and-third-rounder-for-James swap, a deal that makes sense all around. Miami is expected to heavily pursue Anderson if (when?) he's released.

Although James (6-6, 307) missed the final half of the 2017 season with a groin injury, he graded out favorably when on the field, finishing as Pro Football Focus' No. 17 OT among 81 qualifiers. He excels in pass protection and can aid a Broncos offensive line that allowed 52 sacks last year -- 16 of which were charged to RT Watson and then-rookie LT Garett Bolles.

The Broncos would save $5.843 million, with only $1.33 million in dead money, by designating Watson a post-June 1 cut.