Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY NETWORK
Despite a bad 2023 season that saw the team miss the playoffs for an eighth straight year, the Denver Broncos did get encouraging play from their offensive line.
When looking at team rankings this offseason, the Broncos are near the very bottom in just about any list that is being put together. But Pro Football Focus agrees that the team has a good O-line, putting it at No. 15 on its most recent list.
If the Broncos decide to start the season with Bo Nix at quarterback, the offensive line is going to be the biggest key. It will need to not only be able to keep Nix upright but to open lanes in the running game to take pressure off of the rookie in the passing game.
With those things in mind, how does the current depth chart look for this unit?
Denver Broncos offensive line depth chart ahead of training camp
Starters
Tackles: Garett Bolles, Mike McGlinchey
Guards: Quinn Meinerz, Ben Powers
Center: Alex Forsyth
The center position is the one that has gotten the most attention this offseason after the team lost Lloyd Cushenberry to free agency. You could pencil in just about anyone here but I am going with Alex Forsyth as I have made clear all offseason I think he should be the starter.
Perhaps more questions should be being asked about last season’s big free-agent signings, Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers. Both players played decently but neither was incredible and McGlinchey was penalized far too often. If they don’t step up their level of play this season, the Broncos could face some tough decisions with each of them ahead of the 2025 season.
Second-String
Tackles: Matt Peart, Alex Palczewski
Guards: Calvin Throckmorton, Nick Gargiulo
Center: Luke Wattenberg
Both Matt Peart and Alex Palczewski are in line to be the team’s top swing tackle and see solid playing time should McGlinchey struggle this season.
The center position could be in any order right now so training camp and preseason games will be crucial for deciding who wins that job.
The rest
Quinn Bailey
Frank Crum
Sam Mustipher
Demontrey Jacobs
Will Sherman
Sam Mustipher could be considered the starting center by some right now due to his experience but he’s likely just a safety net in case the team doesn’t feel comfortable with either Forsyth or Wattenberg. Seventh-round pick Nick Gargiulo can also play center but because of all the options the team has there, he should get a look at guard.
The most interesting name on the “rest” list is easily undrafted free agent Frank Crum. He has caught the eyes of the coaching staff this offseason and has a chance to make a big leap up the depth chart to claim a spot on the roster.
Author(s)
Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024.
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