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5 surprises from the first week of Denver Broncos training camp

By Sayre Bedinger

Jul 29, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts toward the fans during training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts toward the fans during training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 12, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (85) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) and guard Dalton Risner (66) in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos training camp surprise no. 2: Dalton Risner solidifying job quickly?

Going into training camp, one of the position groups in focus was the offensive line.

The Broncos knew their starter at left tackle was going to be Garett Bolles, but it felt like all of the other positions — at least to a degree — were up for grabs.

Things changed rather quickly when the team learned that Tom Compton was going to have to go on the PUP with a back injury.

Compton wasn’t necessarily expected to start, but he was certainly a factor.

Billy Turner also (less unexpectedly) started camp on the PUP and he has yet to practice at this point. Could he still be a starter? Sure.

But for the time being, it seems the “competition” on the offensive line has been overblown.

At least from what has been reported within the guidelines the Broncos have, only Netane Muti has been rotating in at the guard positions with the starting offensive line.

What’s surprising about this is the fact that more people felt like Dalton Risner’s job as the starting left guard was very much up for grabs.

It still may be, but with Muti rotating more at the right guard spot than he is on the left, it seems that rumors of Risner being on the chopping block may have been significantly overblown.

Risner was at his best in 2019 when he was a rookie in Rich Scangarello’s wide zone offense. The Broncos are back to that scheme this year and Risner is once again proving to be a strong fit.

We’ll see what happens as more time progresses here. Maybe Netane Muti is more of a threat than it seems (the team has talked him up quite a bit) but it does seem like the starting five on the offensive line to open the season — if I had to bet on it today — would look like this:

  • LT Garett Bolles
  • LG Dalton Risner
  • C Lloyd Cushenberry III
  • RG Quinn Meinerz
  • RT Calvin Anderson

With the top reserves being:

  • T/G Billy Turner
  • G/C Graham Glasgow
  • G Netane Muti

Who else factors in? Will the Broncos keep nine or 10 offensive linemen?

There are plenty of questions right now but it seems like this is the way things are shaping up.

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