Broncos May Need a New Starting Left Tackle & Center in 2024
The Denver Broncos have to make some decisions on players along the offensive line this offseason. It's likely the Broncos will need to find replacements at center and left tackle with either in-house options, free agency or in the draft.
Incumbent center Lloyd Cushenberry III is an unrestricted free agent coming off the best season of his career. He'll likely be sought after by teams that need a new center and have money to spend.
Starting left tackle Garett Bolles is considered a top cap-casualty candidate. The Broncos could either try to trade or outright release him to free up much-needed cap space.
In-House Center Options
The Broncos' options at center start with two young players currently on the roster: Alex Forsyth and Luke Wattenberg. The Broncos drafted Forsyth in the seventh round last year, and he's likely Sean Payton's first option. However, Forsyth received zero playing time in 2023, and there will be doubts about his ability to step in and replace Cushenberry.
Wattenberg has more experience, having been drafted in 2022. He has played in 23 games in two seasons with one start.
Wattenberg has played mostly at guard but has experience at center in both the NFL and college. He could end up with the inside track due to his experience, but he will be an unrestricted free agent after 2025, so the team may want Forsyth to get the first shot at the starting center position.
Free-Agent Center Options
There are some options in free agency, but unfortunately, if the Broncos can’t afford to retain Cushenberry, they would likely not be able to pay to get a top player at the position. Players like Aaron Brewer from the Tennessee Titans and Matt Hennessy from the Atlanta Falcons could be options that wouldn't break the bank and are young enough to make the moves worthwhile.
Neither player would make much sense when there are two options on the Broncos' roster already. It doesn’t seem likely the Broncos will address center in free agency.
In-House LT Options
Replacing Bolles would be more difficult than Cushenberry. Bolles is coming off another solid season, but with a cap hit of $20 million, he could be moved for draft picks.
If Bolles is traded, there is no player on Denver's roster who can replace him. Swing tackle Cam Fleming is an unrestricted free agent, Alex Palczewski has not played left tackle since high school, and Quinn Bailey has little experience.
Free-Agent LT Options
The Broncos would be wise to draft a left tackle, but if they can't, the options are slim in free agency. True left tackles who may hit the market are long in the tooth.
If the Broncos are inclined to look at free agency, they should start with re-signing Fleming. Proven younger options that are scarce.
The Broncos could take a chance on former first-rounder Isaiah Wynn, but he has an injury history. Upgrading or at least getting equivalent play to Bolles from someone in free agency will be a difficult task, and the team will likely look at the draft for a left tackle.
Bottom Line
GM George Paton forecasted that the Broncos will be quiet in free agency this year, even though they're poised to lose a number of starters. The Broncos went wild last offseason along the offensive line, but this offseason, they have little choice but to look to young players or draft to address those needs.
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