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Three mistakes to not make in the next calendar year

By Lou Scataglia

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Frank Reich of the Indianapolis Colts takes the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Frank Reich of the Indianapolis Colts takes the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos
DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 14: Quinn Meinerz #77 of the Denver Broncos reacts as he takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Empower Field on November 14, 2021, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

Three mistakes to not make in the next calendar year

Not overhauling the offensive line

The Denver Broncos’ offensive line in 2021 was rather average.  They weren’t elite by any means but they weren’t a weakness.  The overall ineffectiveness of Teddy Bridgewater likely contributed to some of the bad line play that we saw.

Now, in 2022, the line has fallen apart.  Between injuries and incompetent coaching from offensive line coach Butch Barry, it’s clear that Denver needs to install more talent at the position.  I don’t think simply signing a legitimate right tackle in free agency is enough.

While Jack Conklin, a 2023 free agent, will look good in orange and blue, more changes are needed at every position besides right guard, where Quinn Meinerz plays.  At left tackle, I think the team should approach Garett Bolles about a restructure given his season-ending injury, re-sign Calvin Anderson with the intention of him potentially taking over as the starter, and add a tackle prospect in the draft as a developmental piece.

At left guard and center, I think the Broncos should invest in a quality lineman for this position.  The center market is better than guard.  Mitch Morse, Connor McGovern, or Ethan Pocic, who played with Russell Wilson, would be much better options than Lloyd Cushenberry.

So the left guard spot might also be a position that the Broncos could look to use with their first selection in the upcoming draft.  Then, at right tackle, I think there is an argument to bring Billy Turner back while also investing in a pick, or the team could simply look to solve their right tackle problem for the foreseeable future and sign a free agent.

I think the Broncos’ 2023 offensive line could potentially look like:

LT: Garett Bolles/Calvin Anderson/draft pick

LG: High draft pick

C: Ethan Pocic/Mitch Morse/Connor McGovern

RT: Jack Conklin OR Billy Turner/draft pick

Serious reshuffling needs to happen along the offensive line for the Denver Broncos.  This is a must as they head into 2023 because Russell Wilson is not going anywhere.

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