The Denver Broncosand#039; staring down the barrel of a two-gap offensive line heading into 2024..
The Denver Broncos have some player decisions to make this offseason. It’s likely the Broncos will have to find replacements under center and unload either through internal picks, free agency or the draft.Current center Lloyd Cushenberry III is an unrestricted free agent coming off the best season of his career. Good teams that need a new center and have money to spend are probably looking.Starting Left Tackle Garett Bollest is considered the leading candidate. The Broncos could either try to trade or release him to free up some needed cap space.Indoor Center OptionsThe Broncosand#039; center selections begin with the two young players currently on the roster: Alex Forsyth and Luke Wattenberg. The Broncos drafted Forsyth in the seventh round last year and will likely be Sean Payton and the first option. However, Forsyth has received zero playing time in 2023 and doubts his ability to step in and replace Cushenberry.Wattenberg has more experience since it was drafted in 2022. In two seasons, he played in 23 games with one start.Wattenberg mainly played guard, but has experience in the center and in the NFL and college. He could end up in the infield because of his experience, but he’s an unrestricted free agent after 2025, so the team might want Forsyth to get his first shot at starting center.Free Agent Center OptionsThere are a number of options in free agency, but unfortunately if the Broncos can’t afford to keep Cushenberry, they probably can’t afford to get a top player at the position. Players like Aaron Brewer of the Tennessee Titans and Matt Hennessy of the Atlanta Falcons could be options that wouldn’t break the bank and are young enough to make moves worthwhile.Neither player would make much sense if the Broncosand#039 had two options; already a list It seems unlikely that the Broncos will target a center in free agency.What’s next for Bronco? Don’t miss news and analysis! Take a moment to sign up for our free newsletter to get daily Broncos news delivered to your inbox!In-House LT OptionsBoll would be harder to replace than Cushenberry. Bolles is coming off another solid season, but with a $20 million cap hit, he could become a draft pick.If Bolles is traded, Denverand#039;ll not have a player on the roster to replace him. Swingman Cam Fleming is an unrestricted free agent, Alex Palczewski hasn’t played left tackle since high school and Quinn Bailey has little experience.re-agent LT OptionsThe Broncos would be wise to make a left tackle, but if they can’t, the options in free agency are slim. True left-handed devices that can hit the market are long.If the Broncos are inclined to pursue free agency, they should start by re-signing Fleming. Proven young options that are few and far between.The Broncos may take a chance on former No. 1 Isaiah Wynn, but he has an injury history. Updating Bolles’ game, or at least getting a similar game from someone in free agency, will be a difficult task, and the team will likely look at the left tackle in the draft.Bottom LineGM George Paton predicted the Broncos will be quiet this year in free agency, even though they are set to lose a bunch of starters. The Broncos went wild on the offensive line last season, but this season they will have no choice but to look to young players or the draft to fill those needs..