Broncos brick, mortar, and scrap: Offensive line overview

The Other Guys

Dalton Risner, Guard

This is the easiest guy to predict. The former Kansas State player had a great rookie year at Left Guard for the Broncos in 2019 and considering his ties to Colorado, I don’t see him going anywhere.

2020 Status: Brick

Elijah Wilkinson, Guard/Tackle

Like Risner, Wilkinson is another guy that’s easy to project. For the last two seasons, Wilkinson has served as the unofficial Swiss army knife of the offensive line. With 19 starts between two positions, Wilkinson has shown to be a valuable depth piece on the offensive line. He’s currently scheduled to be a Restricted Free Agent this off-season.

Considering his position versatility and inexpensive contract, it’s hard to see Wilkinson elsewhere in 2020.

2020 Status: Mortar

Austin Schlottman, Guard

The second-year lineman out of TCU did a commendable job filling in for Ron Leary, starting the final four games of the season. Schlottman is a great example of what good development on the Practice Squad can do for a player. Whether he develops into a full time starter is unclear at this time, it’s nice to see a player get called up and show that he’s worth keeping on a roster.

2020 Status: Mortar

Patrick Morris, Center

This guy may be the most fascinating player of the entire group. As a late season waiver claim from Pittsburgh, Morris may already have a fan in the building in Mike Munchak. The Broncos OL coach spent the 2018 season with Morris and oversaw his rookie development.

There’s no question that Munchak had a hand in picking this guy up off waivers. The real question is, what kind of potential do the Broncos think he has?

I could see him being anything from a camp cut to a surprise starter. So much of it will depend on how he fits in this offense and if Munchak’s initial believe in him can come to fruition. For now, I think they have shown enough in him to keep him around for 2020.

2020 Status: Mortar

Jake Rodgers, Tackle

Another call up from the practice squad, Rodgers only started one game for the team in 2019 but was active for most of the season.

Unfortunately for Rodgers, he struggled in his only start of the season and didn’t show enough in his limited action to warrant an automatic roster spot in 2020.

Perhaps he sticks around on the Practice Squad but at this time, it would appear that he may be an odd man out during camp this year.

2020 Status: Scrap

Conclusion

Unlike the other groups I’ve already profiled, the Offensive Line appears to be the one with the least amount of stability heading into 2020. Aside from a few promising young players, the line doesn’t look to have a strong veteran presence heading into next season.

With Free Agency around the corner, I’m assuming that will change and the Broncos will have a nice blend of young/veteran talent in the trenches.

If the Broncos are going to get back to the top of the NFL food chain, they have to make sure their Offensive Line is playing top notch football.