With four of five starters returning for the Denver Broncos offensive line in 2022, how good can this unit be under new OL coach Butch Barry and a new offensive scheme?
There are big changes in store for the Denver Broncos offense this upcoming season, as former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett takes the reins, 49ers assistant OL coach Butch Barry steps in to replace Mike Munchak as the Broncos OL coach, and QB Russell Wilson replaces Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater at the most important position on the field.
With all that change, however, one of the areas that will look quite similarly for Denver is its starting offensive line, which is currently set to return four starters from its 2021 unit with Billy Turner as a new addition.
The question becomes though, how good can this unit be? Can the Broncos’ offensive line keep Russell Wilson upright and protected? Can they clear rushing lanes for Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon? And how much will the new offensive schemes change their production?
Denver Broncos Run Blocking
Last season, the Broncos finished 12th in the league in rushing yards per game, averaging just under 120 yards per contest.
With a ridiculously even split in carries and yards between veteran Melvin Gordon III and rookie Javonte Williams, the Broncos were able to pick up yards on the ground with some frequency.
With Nathaniel Hackett and offensive coordinator Justin Outten taking over, the expectation is that the Broncos will employ a more zone-based rushing attack, after Pat Shurmur’s more varied approach in 2021.
This is a very common theme throughout the league, with offensive masterminds such as Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay finding a lot of sense with their zone-oriented attacks, and building complex but efficient passing attacks around their run scheme.
Thankfully, the Broncos’ offense is well suited to make these changes. One of the main features of zone rushing is an emphasis on an athletic offensive line that can scoop and reach blockers to their playside zones.
Left tackle Garett Bolles, for example, is a terrific athlete, testing exceptionally well coming out of college, and continuing to put that athleticism on display as he’s developed in the NFL.
And using the Relative Athletic Score system as a gauge of athleticism, every single one of Denver’s current starters tested above 7.00 all-time, indicating a high focus from the previous regime on bringing in an athletic line.
And not only is the offensive line well suited to this type of system but it should not be discounted that a significant upgrade in quarterback play can help open things up for the run game.
With more limited passers like Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater running the offense last year, defenses were able to stack the box with additional defenders more frequently, leading to tougher assignments for the offensive line and tight ends in the run game.
With QB Russell Wilson stepping, defenses will need to respect the Broncos’ passing attack much more in 2022, leading to lighter boxes when the Broncos choose to put the ball on the ground.
Denver Broncos Pass Blocking
Denver’s offensive line certainly could use some improvement here, as they finished just 22nd in QB Sack Percentage last year, surrendering a sack on 6.88% of passing plays last year.
The good news, however, is looking at the data from 2020 to 2021, every about 75% of teams who returned four or more starters saw their sack percentage decline that next season, meaning there is an excellent chance we see the Broncos’ pass protection get better.
Much of this has to do with familiarity with one another. The longer guys play next to each other, the more familiar they become with each other’s playstyles, making it easier to pass off stunts, double teams, and communicate more efficiently.
Additionally, the addition of Billy Turner at right tackle could help solidify things a bit. While his pass protection from PFF is not terrific, it is an upgrade over what Denver got last year.
And furthermore, Turner only allowed three sacks last season, which is fewer than Bobby Massie surrendered in 2021. So between Turner’s addition, and a solid showing in limited snaps from Calvin Anderson in 2021, Denver should see its caliber of play improve at right tackle.
The one thing to watch, however, is the change at quarterback, as Russell Wilson is by no means a traditional quarterback.
While most quarterbacks are pocket passers who enjoy the feeling of security in a clean pocket, Wilson is a bit less structured, with a great ability to make plays on the move. And given his shorter stature, sometimes it is harder to see over the massive offensive linemen in front of him.
While Seattle certainly did not do Wilson any favors in pass protection, his more creative, free-flowing style will be something Denver’s offensive line will need to adjust to and become more familiar with.
Denver Broncos offensive line: How Good Can They Be?
In their end-of-season rankings, PFF listed the Denver Broncos’ offensive line as the 19th best unit in the league.
While that is not bad, there’s certainly room for improvement.
And that improvement should be expected, as the Broncos get veteran right guard Graham Glasgow back from a fractured ankle that ended his season prematurely last season, and as mentioned, have set themselves up well to see an improvement from the right tackle position.
Add in the return of Glasgow, increased familiarity with the guy next to them, and the improved quarterback play, and it is certainly likely that the Broncos offensive line sees some serious improvement next season.
Becoming a top-10 unit in the league is certainly an ambitious goal, but quite obtainable if they quickly adapt to the zone-oriented rushing attack that Nathaniel Hackett and OL coach Butch Barry will bring in.
The Denver Broncos clearly believe they are set up for quick success after pulling the trigger on a massive trade for QB Russell Wilson.
The production and improvement of their offensive line in 2022 will play a big role in that, with hopes that they can become a dominant and well-rounded group who can keep Wilson clean and create space for Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon III.
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While the offensive line is not the most popular position to watch on the field for fans, it certainly will be one of the biggest keys to Denver’s success in 2022.