Keeler: Where have you gone, Lloyd Cushenberry? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you, woo, woo, woo. Actually, he’s gone to Nashville, and for the first time in 218 days, the Broncos will be playing a game without him. Or Jerry Jeudy. Or Justin Simmons. Welcome to Preseason Week 1, my friend, when hope springs eternal — and when we find out which of the Broncos veterans who moved on this offseason this franchise misses the most. I mean, we already know which veteran (Russ, cough, Russ) Sean Payton misses the least, right? So here’s what I’m wondering with six days to go until the new-look Broncos throw down with the Colts: Which veteran still here do you think has the most to prove this month?
Renck: The Broncos have more “Ifs” than Rudyard Kipling’s poem. If the Broncos offense makes progress under quarterback Bo Nix, it will start up front. The offensive line. This group needs to set the tone over the next three weeks. And specifically right tackle Mike McGlinchey. Those being paid well must play well. McGlinchey received $52.5 million guaranteed as a free agent in 2023. He emerged as a leader — he is the resident Mayor of the O-line — and was a force in the run game last season. However, he was not good enough in pass protection, allowing six sacks and finishing with nine penalties — way too many false starts — in 947 snaps. In his second season under line boss Zach Strief, McGlinchey must cut those numbers in half. The preseason doesn’t count. But it matters. So, it would be nice to see McGlinchey play nearly mistake-free.
Keeler: If we were talking regular season, I’d be leaning Courtland Sutton, whose cap number ($17.295 million) ranks 15th among NFL wideouts but whose historic production still screams “overpaid WR2.” Tim Patrick’s knee is holding up so far, but how about those hands? Still, if we’re looking at just these next three weeks, I’ll give you a different name: Javonte Williams. Payton looks at Audric Estime and sees another Mark Ingram. He’s not going anywhere. Neither is Jaleel McLaughlin, probably. Assuming Michael Burton is nailed down at fullback, that could leave one tailback spot between Williams and Samaje Perine. Thunder vs. Thunder.
Renck: Perine feels like a luxury on a team that is trending younger. He could have trade value for a contender this month. I will stay with the offensive line with a new name: Garett Bolles. Get in the Zone, the GB Zone. He doesn’t have anything to prove in exhibition games. But it goes back to the macro picture of this offensive line defining the team. Bolles was solid last year but enters the last season of his contract. Can he give the Broncos a reason to commit to him for two or three more years? For Nix to be a success, he needs his line to excel and create a physical identity. Bolles has room for improvement with his run game fits. I’d like to see him mauling defenders in a way that prompts the Broncos to award him with a contract extension before the season opener.
Keeler: What applies to McGlinchey applies to Williams, too. Heck, the same bottom-line question applies to everybody on this offense for the next five months: How does this player help Nix? Or help maximize Nix? Perine is a proven third-down specialist on a roster that needs vets to do what the back of their trading card says for this to work. Last fall, Perine flashed a drop rate of 1.8% and a targeted passer rating of 100.5. Javonte? 6.8% and 94.5. Rookie QBs need safety blankets that won’t accidentally catch fire once defenses bring the heat.
Renck: You are on to something with Williams and Estime. The offensive line was better than the running back’s production last season. Williams must return to his rookie form, and Estime profiles as a hammer in short-yardage and goal-line situations. When fans see Estime in preseason games, they will want him as the starter. Trust me. But just as humility is the foundation of all virtues, the offensive line is the foundation of all victories. The Broncos need the best from Bolles and McGlinchey this month, and frankly, this season, to achieve their first winning record since 2016.
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Originally Published: August 5, 2024 at 11:31 a.m.
