Mile High Report
The Broncos offensive line is full of continuity and ranks as one of best units in the NFL.
The Denver Broncos' offensive line has gone from being a weakness to being a strength of this team. Head Coach Sean Payton put an emphasis on improving the line play when he was hired, and three years later, we are seeing the benefits of that.
Not only has the Broncos' offensive line graded out among the best in the league the past two seasons, but they have continuity throughout the unit. Four of the five starting offensive linemen will be entering their third season together, and all five starters from last season will be returning this year. On top of that, many of their key reserves will be returning as well, along with a few intriguing undrafted free agents added to the mix.
This line features longtime left tackle Garett Bolles, who recently signed an extension with the team, All-Pro guard Quinn Meinerz, who is arguably the best guard in the league, and right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who has solved the Broncos' right tackle problem.
With all that said, let’s take a look at the Broncos’ offensive line and their roles, expectations, and chances of making the team as we approach the start of training camp.
The Broncos' longtime left tackle returns for his 9th season with the team and his second as Bo Nix’s blindside blocker. While Bolles has received criticism throughout his time with the Broncos, mostly for his holding calls, he has become a solid overall left tackle. He rarely misses games, kept Nix clean last season, and has cut down on the number of holding calls called against him.
Bolles signed a four-year $82 million dollar extension with the Broncos in December so he will be starting left tackle for the foreseeable future.
Powers is entering the third year of his four-year deal with the Broncos and has been a solid left guard for them during his time with the team. He has been a key and consistent member of the offensive line and has appeared in all 17 games for the Broncos the past two seasons.
He will look to continue his solid play for the Broncos this upcoming season and hopefully be a consistent member of their offensive line once again this year.
Wattenberg won the center competition last season for the Broncos and filled the void left behind by Lloyd Cushenberry, who signed with the Titans during free agency. He did miss a few weeks due to injury, but when he was on the field, he played rather well. We did see him struggle against more powerful linemen in the run game, but overall, he played well.
Now, he will enter the final year of his rookie deal and look to earn himself some money in free agency next year.
