Denver Broncos: Lloyd Cushenberry has to be starting center

Lloyd Cushenberry was drafted high to be the starting center of the Denver Broncos. They need to make it official.

The Denver Broncos have a battle going at the center position during this year’s training camp. After the departure of Matt Paradis, the Broncos had trouble finding the solution at that position during the 2019 season.

You do not draft a player in the early rounds of the NFL draft to have them sit on the bench. The Broncos need to make a decision at the center position and Lloyd Cushenberry has to be that pick.

Vic Fangio loves to create competition even at positions in which the starters are obvious. Some days, one player shines more than the other. The next day, there are guys who shine that you didn’t necessarily expect to.

At the center position, the Broncos have installed several players snapping the ball to Drew Lock. They include Austin Schlottman, Patrick Morris, and rookie Lloyd Cushenberry. To some people, including myself, the starter is obvious.

Cushenberry needs to be the guy taking the majority of training camp snaps at the center position. One of the most important things on the offensive side of the ball is the snap from center to quarterback.

If you don’t have that down, things are going to be painful for your offense. Unfortunately, we saw one of those bad miscommunications during Super Bowl XLVIII even with the great Peyton Manning at quarterback.

We don’t want to see that happen ever again.

I personally believe that there are some positions where you just do not mess around. The offensive line is a big one. Every single player on the offensive line has to be aware of what is going on and the center is the most important position when figuring out what to do. He’s the man in charge.

Naming a starter at center, even without actually announcing it to the public, would be very useful for second-year quarterback Drew Lock. The team can just focus on that combination from here on out without there being any mystery.

Cushenberry has incredible leadership skills and that also will be a key factor in his success as a rookie and beyond. Make Cushenberry the starter, Mike Munchak.