Broncos fans will love why rookie Kage Casey chose his jersey number

The stars are beginning to align for the NFL career of Denver Broncos' fourth-round draft pick, Kage Casey. 

The Broncos selected Casey with the No. 111 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. He played for Boise State in college, also known as the Broncos. Like former Boise State and Denver left tackle Ryan Clady, Casey is prepared to become one of the great linemen in the history of both programs. 

That is why Casey will wear No. 78 in the NFL, the same jersey number that Clady wore during his eight-year career in Denver. When asked at Broncos minicamp why he chose No. 78, Casey had a short and simple answer. 

"Ryan Clady. It’s a pretty good number. I’ve met him once three years ago at my first LA Bowl". Casey wore No. 77 in college. 

Casey can only hope that number brings him the same kind of fortune that it did for Clady in a career that started nearly two decades ago. The Broncos selected Clady with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played all but one season of his career in Denver, being selected to the Pro Bowl four times while being named a First-team All-Pro twice. He was a member of the team that won Super Bowl 50. 

Kage Casey could play guard for Broncos

Casey was a left tackle at Boise State, but it seems the main reason he came onto the Broncos' radar was due to his versatility. The coaching staff sees him as perhaps the top rotational lineman on the roster at some point in the future, and he was being lined up at the guard spot during rookie minicamp. 

Kage Casey said he’s been playing left guard in minicamp. Versatility a strength but he’s confident he can play on the interior after playing LT in college.

HOT READ: Have Broncos done enough to replace their biggest offseason loss?

The Broncos have Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey at the tackle spots, but it's the starting guard spot held by Ben Powers that may be the most tenuous on the offensive line. Powers missed a good chunk of the season last year with a torn triceps and the team could be looking at options for the not-so-distant future to replace him. Casey could be the frontrunner to do that. 

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