Broncos Put Two 2022 Starters on Notice This Offseason
The winds of change are gusting through Dove Valley.
Denver Broncos new co-owner and CEO Greg Penner outspent all NFL teams in free agency. As a result, there is a flood of reinforcements to upgrade positions that notably underperformed last season.
The first step was to bolster a porous offensive line that did underperforming quarterback Russell Wilson no favors. Adding right tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Ben Powers is a colossal leap forward.
The veterans give new Broncos head coach Sean Payton the caliber of players upfront to make opposing defenders respect the team's run game and support Wilson’s ability to be effective in play-action. Unfortunately, for some of last year's starters, Payton's roster reset will not be kind. But who can blame him?
Payton is taking over a team with a 5-12 record. There are two former first-teamers in Denver likely to see their role dramatically altered by virtue of the free-agent moves made.
Jonas Griffith | LB
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Griffith was acquired in a 2021 trade with the San Franciso 49ers, and like a thunderclap, he flashed his potential in four late-season starts.
As a result, Griffith was named the day-one starting linebacker next to Josey Jewll to open the 2022 campaign. The team's goal was to link Jewell’s superior football acumen with Griffith's athleticism. Unfortunately, the formula did not work as planned, as Griffith did not hold up his end of the bargain.
Errors in assignments and misses in pass coverage negatively impacted his performance. Pro Football Focus graded Griffith at 52.5 in run defense and 55.8 in pass coverage. Then Griffith suffered a season-ending foot injury.
Fortunately for the Broncos, reserve linebacker Alex Singelton embraced the 'next man up' mantra and took advantage of his playing time with Griffith on injured reserve. Singleton led the Broncos with 163 tackles, earning a PFF grade of 82.6 in run defense and 73.0 in coverage.
The Broncos organization made the right decision to re-sign the 29-year-old Singleton to a three-year, $18 million contract earlier this month. Singelton gives the Broncos toughness in the run game and the ability to cover speedy running backs in coverage. In tandem with Jewell, the inside linebackers bring energy, play recognition, and toughness to the position.
Lloyd Cushenberry III | C
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The Broncos selected Cushenberry in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft out of LSU. Since being drafted, he has significant playing time under his belt. Unfortunately, Cushenberry has yet to prove that he is a consistent NFL-caliber starting center.
Although bright with apparent leadership abilities, he has yet to demonstrate the brute strength to play against physical nose tackles. This past season, Cushenberry missed significant time due to a groin injury, which hindered his development.
PFF graded Cushenberry's run blocking at 52.7, his pass blocking at 68.8, and an overall lackluster score of 56.2. With Coach Payton's reliance on his interior offense line’s ability to generate force at the point of attack, the fourth-year center needs to be aligned. Expect Broncos GM George Paton to scourer other team’s rosters to upgrade the position.
Bottom Line
Penner’s $235.1 million investment in free agency comes with strings attached. Unfortunately, those strings are zip tied to Paton.
After signing quarterback Russell Wilson to a salary cap-killing contract along with the failed hiring of Nathaniel Hackett, Denver's general manager is undoubtedly on notice.
Hopefully, Paton keeps top of mind the reality in the NFL that there are no free lunches. Penner will hold him accountable for a return on his investment.
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