Reviewing the Denver Broncos offensive line for the 2020 season

After analyzing the quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end positions, we’ll be looking at the Denver Broncos offensive line for 2020 to conclude our position review series of the Broncos offense. With the talent added to the group this offseason, it projects to be one of the franchise’s better OL units in the last decade.

Overview of the Broncos offensive line for 2020

In 2019, the Broncos offensive line was one of the least consistent position groups on the field, but the team is hoping that will change after adding two projected starters this offseason, and a third returning from injury.

This should allow Elijah Wilkinson to return to his more natural role as a swing guard/tackle which, along with sixth-round draft selection Netane Muti, should bolster the Broncos reserve unit.

Did John Elway do enough this off-season to fix the Broncos’ problems at tackle?

The tackle position has been the Achilles’ heel of the Broncos’ offense dating back to before Peyton Manning retired. However, following Garett Bolles’ strong conclusion towards the end of the 2019 season, and with right tackle Ja’Wuan James’ return on the horizon, there’s reason to hope that will change this upcoming season.

After becoming the NFL’s highest-paid right tackle at the time of his signing during the 2019 offseason, James missed most of last season, playing only 63 total snaps. When on the field, James should help solidify a position that has been a turnstile for Denver, but he will have to stay healthy in 2020 to justify their investment in him.

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On the other side, Bolles had struggled with penalties but was able to overcome them shortly after Drew Lock became the team’s starting quarterback. While there are areas in Bolles’ play that equated to on-field mistakes, Joe Flacco also deserves a fair amount of the blame considering his issues with holding onto the ball too long.

Despite being Denver’s quarterback for just half of their games, all of Bolles’ sacks, two-thirds of his pressures allowed, and nine of his 17 penalties came with Flacco under center.

Behind their starters, the Broncos have a solid cast of developmental backups. Wilkinson who started 12 games for Denver at right tackle, will compete with Bolles during training camp to be the team’s starter at left tackle. Jake Rodgers also saw the field for the Broncos last season in the team’s final two games of the season. Rodgers’ footwork and technique were raw, but he received important reps and performed well enough to help the Broncos keep Lock upright.

Players like Calvin Anderson, Quinn Bailey, and Hunter Watts are other players listed as tackles on the Broncos roster, but it’s unlikely that any of them make the active gameday roster on a consistent basis. However, with the NFL’s extension of the active roster going from 53 players to 55, one of these players could be activated on Sunday’s.

Is Denver’s guard tandem of Dalton Risner and Graham Glasgow among the NFL’s best?

Even though Elway and the Broncos front office didn’t make any major additions to fortify the tackle position, Denver was able to add grit and toughness on the interior of the OL bringing in Graham Glasgow in free agency to pair opposite of second-year left guard Dalton Risner.

In 2019, Risner was Denver’s best offensive linemen and was consistent from week to week. Risner earned recognition from the Pro Football Writers of America, being selected as an All-Rookie second-team player. Entering his sophomore season under offensive line coach Mike Munchak’s tutelage, he is projected to improve even further as the Broncos’ best lineman.

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In 2019, Glasgow put together an impressive season with the Detroit Lions, not allowing a single sack and only being penalized three times. For the Broncos, Glasgow’s addition will likely be an upgrade over former Broncos right guard, Ron Leary.

If Glasgow or Risner suffer an injury during the season, Wilkinson would likely be the next man up, granted he doesn’t beat out Bolles at the left tackle position. Wilkinson is a more natural fit at the guard position in comparison to tackle, but his ability to play both will be beneficial for the Broncos. Behind Wilkinson, Muti is likely the next depth player on the interior.

It’s unlikely Muti won’t see the field during 2020, but if he can remain healthy in practice and develop under Munchak’s coaching, he’ll likely put himself in a position to be a high-end starter for the Broncos before the end of his rookie contract. Behind Muti, Tyler Jones and Nico Falah will likely compete for a spot on the team’s practice squad.

Is Lloyd Cushenberry III ready to be a starting center from Day 1?

Outside of Broncos first-round pick Jerry Jeudy, no member of the team’s rookie class has an easier path to playing time than Cushenberry. He’ll compete for the team’s starting center position against Patrick Morris and Austin Schlottmann at training camp in the coming weeks.

Cushenberry’s experience playing in LSU’s pro-style offense, one that relied heavily on passing the football en route to a national championship, increases his likelihood to start Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. Throughout the offseason, he’s received plenty of praise from the Broncos coaching staff in regards to picking up the offense, which only increases his chances of starting.

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Not only does Cushenberry have the mental fortitude to start as a rookie, but he also has the physical tools as well. His anchor on the interior was widely considered to be the best amongst his draft class. He was the only prospect who managed to slow down the San Francisco 49ers first-round pick, Javon Kinlaw, at the Senior Bowl.

Morris is projected to be the team’s backup center, but his former TCU teammate Schlottmann has a chance to beat him out for that role in training camp. Schlottmann started four games for the Broncos last season and has regular season experience, which helps play into his favor.

Projecting the Broncos offensive line for 2020

When the Broncos enter 2020, their projected starting lineup will likely feature Bolles and James at tackle, Glasgow and Risner at guard, and Cushenberry at the center position. As mentioned earlier, Wilkinson has an outside chance of stealing the starting left tackle spot from Bolles, and if Cushenberry struggles early on with his transition to the NFL, the Broncos could slide Glasgow to center and have Wilkinson replace him at right guard.

The Broncos will likely carry four to five reserve linemen onto the final roster, which is where we should see more of the position battles in the trenches take place. Wilkinson and Muti are the only locks to make it outside of the reserves, leaving the final two or three spots up for grabs. Morris, Rodgers, and Schlottman should be considered the favorites for those spots.

Jones, Bailey, Anderson, Watts, and Falah will likely compete for space on the team’s practice squad. If the NFL allows for teams to carry more players on their practice squads in 2020 due to the possible health implications and circumstances, the Broncos could benefit by stashing players on the offensive line for further development.

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