Ranking projected offensive lines in the AFC West for 2022

Sep 26, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) reacts after the game against the New York Jets at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) reacts after the game against the New York Jets at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 19: JaMarr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals speaks with Lloyd Cushenberry #79 of the Denver Broncos during an NFL game at Empower Field At Mile High on December 19, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 19: JaMarr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals speaks with Lloyd Cushenberry #79 of the Denver Broncos during an NFL game at Empower Field At Mile High on December 19, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Ranking offensive lines in the AFC West for 2022

3. Denver Broncos, Projected lineup: LT Garett Bolles, LG Dalton Risner, C Lloyd Cushenberry, RG Quinn Meinerz, RT Billy Turner/Calvin Anderson

I gave the Broncos the third slot for the third-best offensive line in the AFC West by a smidge.  By all accounts, the unit is average.  In 2021, the Denver Broncos offensive line ranked 16th in the NFL in pass block win rate, and 15th in the NFL in run block win rate, per ESPN.

They are an average unit, no matter how mad some people get about them when they have a bad game.  I don’t truly think there’s a significant weak spot along the line, which makes me feel good about their chances in 2022.

Russell Wilson will elevate the unit a bit, so perhaps we’re talking about a top 10 or top 12 unit at season’s end.  The biggest question mark is right tackle, and since Billy Turner is now off the PUP list, we’ll see how quickly he can get up to speed.

Turner is more talented than Calvin Anderson, who is currently the team’s RT1, but I think we eventually see Turner overtake Anderson for that role.  If Lloyd Cushenberry can take another leap forward in year three, I think we’ll see this unit much improved going into 2023.

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