Denver Broncos 3 biggest long-term needs heading into 2022

The Denver Broncos have a very good roster but need to consider their long-term future. Which positions have the most uncertainty?

For the next few years at least, the Denver Broncos will field an elite roster with little to no holes.  As we get further into the Russell Wilson era, the team will have to sign, draft, and trade for players to fill position holes that need to be filled.

Every team in the NFL needs to address roster holes every single offseason.  The success they have in the present can only be sustained if their roster is complete enough.

I think this is a big reason why we are beginning to see teams part with their draft picks as they make sweeping trades for immediate impact players.

They are comfortable knowing that these players will be able to fill a hole for a number of years, as opposed to taking a shot on a rookie draft pick.

Contracts also get bigger and bigger, as teams also show a tendency to pay big money for players who can fill roster holes that a team might have.

While George Paton is enjoying a stellar offseason, he is also surely looking at the long-term viability of the roster.  If you asked him in a private meeting, I bet he would rattle off several positions that he thinks have a bit of uncertainty for the long term.

Obviously, he would never address the media and call out certain players.  For example, you won’t hear George Paton say that since Justin Simmons is turning 29 this season, he may only have a few years left playing at a high level.

Those types of conversations are likely saved for behind closed doors where Paton and co. can give a true evaluation of their entire roster for the present and future.

So, which three positions have the most uncertainty for the long-term?

Three biggest long-term needs for the Denver Broncos

1. The interior offensive line

While the Broncos have decent players in this group, there is just so much fluidity and uncertainty here that it’s insane to think about.

Honestly, I would only feel comfortable projecting that Quinn Meinerz ends up being the long-term starting right guard.

Outside of him, who on the roster will serve as the long-term center or left guard?

Both Lloyd Cushenberry and Dalton Risner are coming off two shaky seasons, and the team did bring in three other offensive linemen who can play on the inside in Billy Turner, Luke Wattenberg, and Tom Compton.

There’s a camp battle for every position on the offensive line besides left tackle, which Garett Bolles should hold down for the foreseeable future, but there really isn’t much else to rely on long-term.

It’s an interesting situation in Denver because the Broncos do have some serviceable players in this group, so it isn’t like the IOL is devoid of talent.

My guess is that one of Risner or Cushenberry stays along the IOL for the future, perhaps long-term, but I would not be surprised if I ended up being wrong.