Broncos' veteran has the most to lose after the 2023 draft
The Denver Broncos may only have five picks in the upcoming draft, but they are still going to try and bring in guys that can play and contribute right away. They have two third-round picks and no first or second-round picks. Their third-round picks are back-to-back. The Broncos need pieces almost everywhere. They need defense […]
The Denver Broncos may only have five picks in the upcoming draft, but they are still going to try and bring in guys that can play and contribute right away. They have two third-round picks and no first or second-round picks. Their third-round picks are back-to-back.
The Broncos need pieces almost everywhere. They need defense and they need offense. Going through this brutal 2022 season made us realize a bit that the Broncos were further from being ready than we thought. Most thought all they needed was a quarterback, but we were wrong.
One thing they need to do is continue fixing the offensive line. They have done some work to it, but it's still not done. They need depth, along with a new center to replace the poor production Lloyd Cushenberry did last year.
One Pro Football Focus analyst thinks Cushenberry's job could be had after the draft, saying he has the most to lose on the Broncos.
The Broncos don’t have a lot of draft capital at their disposal, but the end of the 2022 season for Cushenberry casts a lot of doubt on his future as a starter. He was placed on injured reserve in early November and missed the rest of the year but told reporters after the season that he was fully healthy and could have returned to the field for several games down the stretch. Denver dealt with a ton of injuries in 2022, and teams are allowed to return only eight players off injured reserve each season, but the decision to keep Cushenberry on injured reserve is notable nonetheless. The Broncos aren’t on the clock until Pick Nos. 67 and 68, and while they may still try to address a more premium position, it could also make sense to take one of the top available interior offensive linemen. –Brad Spielberger, Pro Football Focus
The Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers signings were great. They helped the offensive line on paper a ton. Both of those guys were two of the best available at their position in this free agency class. But, Cushenberry wasn't well last year too, and because of that, we can assume that the Broncos may go after a center.
There are several centers that could be available when the Broncos pick at 67. Luke Wypler out of Ohio State is the best center in the draft but could be gone when the Broncos pick. John Michael-Schmitz from Minnesota, Juice Scruggs from Penn State, and Ricky Stromberg from Arkansas are all guys that will be available and are all very good.
The Broncos could do something at center with their first two picks, and these guys could cost Cushenberry his job.
