Denver Broncos: 10 major takeaways early in training camp
3. Offensive Line Competition (C, RT)
The Denver Broncos entered training camp in 2021 with two positions on Mike Munchak’s offensive line that were realistically up for grabs.
Those two positions were center and right tackle.
Center
The incumbent at center is 2020 third-round pick Lloyd Cushenberry III, a player who understandably struggled in his rookie year as the full-time starter. Cushenberry started off playing rather poorly for the Broncos but got progressively better as the season wore along.
He was projected to be challenged by incoming rookie Quinn Meinerz, a product of D-III Wisconsin-Whitewater who has some truly elite physical and athletic tools.
With Meinerz coming in, it was a real “the devil you know vs. the devil you don’t” situation and many thought the rookie could be a starter in 2021.
Cushenberry has, so far, staked his claim on the position.
At this point in time, Vic Fangio said essentially there is no competition at center. Meinerz has been working with the second unit on offense and there has been no splitting of reps with Cushenberry.
Right Tackle
While the center position remains Cushenberry’s to lose, the right tackle position is entirely up for grabs.
The two primary contenders at this point are undoubtedly Calvin Anderson and Bobby Massie.
Anderson got two starts for the Broncos in 2020, one each at right and left tackle. He’s been developing in Denver for two years now and the team has been very high on him. Massie was signed after Ja’Wuan James went down with a season-ending injury, and the two have split days as the first-team RT evenly through six practices.
Anderson was the 1st-team RT on days one and two, Massie took days 3-5, and Anderson was back with the top offense for the first day of padded practice.
In terms of the team’s long-term success, it would be great if Anderson could create some separation and win the job. If it’s even close, you have to think the Broncos will go with the young guy who has more long-term potential with the team and Massie as a fail-safe.
Anderson looked strong in practices and had a couple of notable pass pro reps. His athleticism has never been in question. It looks like things could finally be clicking for the guy the Broncos once poached off the Jets’ practice squad.