Denver Broncos offensive line overview: Youth movement on the interior?
By Noah Smith
Denver Broncos: Interior Offensive Line
On paper, the Denver Broncos have a solid interior offensive line that features young developmental upside along with established veteran help. However, a youth movement could help put higher upside athletes on the field.
The Broncos will almost certainly open training camp with Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry, and Graham Glasgow as their starting trio inside. The trio was expected to solidify the Broncos’ interior during the 2020 NFL Season, however, injuries to Glasgow along with the growing pains of Cushenberry and Risner severely hampered the unit’s effectiveness.
Despite having a solid interior on paper, the Denver Broncos continued to add depth this offseason in Senior Bowl standout Quinn Meinerz just one year after drafting Netane Muti, a talented prospect who struggled with injuries at Fresno State.
The high-profile investment along the interior may signal that the Denver Broncos are committing to a youth movement. Both Muti and Meinerz have the physicality required to play in the NFL and could be high-upside starters if given the opportunity.
While Dalton Risner has shown enough potential to feel good about his position, Lloyd Cushenberry could be on the hot seat if he struggles to improve on a shaky rookie season. Cushenberry was billed as one of the top centers in the 2020 NFL Draft and was renowned for his ability to make checks and calls.
Cushenberry showed flashes, but often looked overmatched against even average interior defensive lineman. If Quinn Meinerz can prove that he is ready for the NFL game, Meinerz could surpass Cushenberry as the starting center.
While Graham Glasgow is unlikely to be outplayed by second-year Netane Muti, a desperate team looking for guard help could call the Broncos about Glasgow. A post-June 1st trade for Glasgow would save the Broncos nearly $9 million this season, per Overthecap.
While a Risner-Cushenberry-Glasgow lineup seems likely, the Denver Broncos may choose to try out their intriguing depth pieces in training camp, and play with the lineups to find the optimal pairing.