New offensive line combinations for the Broncos post-bye
The Denver Broncos offensive line was not bad on Sunday against the Jaguars, but it’s clear that the unit needs some serious reshuffling. Another three sacks were allowed on Sunday by Russell Wilson and the Broncos’ offensive line.
They share the blame, as that’s been one of the negatives of Russell Wilson’s game, but it’s clear that the offensive line is not doing him any favors. It’s been a bad unit overall this season, and it looks like almost every player who has played within this unit has regressed to some point.
Denver was able to scrape together a bit win in London, and now they headed into their bye week with a chance to get healthy and perhaps make necessary adjustments. One of these adjustments should be along the offensive line.
The Broncos would have two weeks to reshuffle the line if they so chose to. I don’t think they will, but let’s look at some offensive line combinations that could work for the team, post-bye week.
New offensive line combinations for the Broncos
1. Keeping it (mostly) the same
LT – Cameron Fleming
RG – Dalton Risner
C – Graham Glasgow
RG – Quinn Meinerz
RT – Billy Turner
There are two changes here that the team could make. The first one is inserting Cameron Fleming back at left tackle if he is healthy enough. He missed Sunday’s game because of an injury but seemed to hold his own against the Jets at left tackle. I think he gives the team a better chance at this position than Calvin Anderson.
The next change is keeping Graham Glasgow at center, regardless of Lloyd Cushenberry’s status. Cush left the game with a hip injury and was ruled out, so Glasgow came in and held his own. Many have been calling for the team to try Glasgow at center, as he played this position back in 2018 with the Detroit Lions and did a nice job.
2. More interior movement
LT – Cameron Fleming
RG – Netane Muti
C – Graham Glasgow
RG – Quinn Meinerz
Dalton Risner is bad. He’s not good at playing left guard and is a big reason for the team’s lack of success on the offensive line. He can’t sustain blocks, has slow, choppy feet, and get’s beat quite a bit. All of this was on display on Sunday. His name also popped up in trade rumors recently, so the team appears to be willing to move the fourth-year guard.
The bye week gives them a chance to do this, and I would love to see Netane Muti in this spot. Muti is one of the strongest men in the NFL, period, and is an absolute mauler in the run game. Perhaps if he can get his pass protection a bit polished, he could be a long-term option here.
Everyone else from the previous combination is kept the same, but the interior looks a bit different and I think has more attitude and power to it.
3. A total overhauling
LT – Cameron Fleming
LG – Billy Turner
C – Graham Glasgow
RG – Quinn Meinerz
RT – Tom Compton
This would be a massive change for the line, but it’s the most experienced combination the Broncos could likely go with and still see some production. Starting on the left side, Fleming returns to left tackle when he gets healthy.
Billy Turner, who has experience playing inside, replaces Dalton Risner and takes over the left guard spot, which I would assume is a bit easier than playing right tackle.
Graham Glasgow remains at center, and, honestly, I don’t see a scenario where Cushenberry returns to the lineup even when healthy. Unless Glasgow truly implodes, I think he’d do enough to keep his job at center.
Right guard is Quinn Meinerz, and I think that could be his for the long term. Lastly, Tom Compton, who was designated to return from the injured reserve list, comes in at the right tackle spot. Compton also has experience playing along the interior, and I guess you could also form another combination and simply kick Turner back to RT and slide Compton into LG.
Whatever the case may be, this offensive line brings you a ton of experience and a ton of length as well. Fleming and Compton are 6’6″, Turner and Glasgow are 6’5″, and Meinerz is 6’3″.