Despite having two offensive line combinations, the Denver Broncos’ offensive line struggled last season, allowing 45 hurries (12th-most), 56 QB hits (10th-most), 153 pressures (10th-most), a 25.2% pressure percentage (5th-highest), and 52 sacks (6th-most) in 2023.
Four of the five starters from last season remain as Lloyd Cushenberry III signed with the Tennessee Titans, leaving the center position vacant for next season.
The team signed a backup offensive lineman to a contract.
The Denver Broncos signed a backup offensive lineman to a contract, reuniting with Sean Payton
The Broncos announced, on X, that they signed Calvin Throckmorton to a one-year, $1.055 million contract.
Calvin Throckmorton spent the first three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, including the first two with Sean Payton
Throckmorton went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Saints signed him as an undrafted free agent. The team released him on September 5 and signed him to the practice squad the next day. He spent the entire season on the practice squad.
Throckmorton replaced Cesar Ruiz at right guard in Week 1 of 2021, while Ruiz replaced Erik McCoy at center. Throckmorton would start the next four games at right guard.
Injuries to Andrus Peat, Terron Armstead, and Ryan Ramczyk allowed Throckmorton to start at left guard for their last nine games. He finished the season with three penalties, one sack allowed, and a 42.4 PFF Grade in 937 (86%) offensive snaps in 17 games and 14 starts.
Throckmorton was relegated to the backup role in 2022 but started three games at left guard (Weeks 4, 7, and 11) and three at right guard (Weeks 13, 16, and 17). He finished the season with five penalties, three sacks allowed, and a 38.4 PFF Grade in 462 (55%) offensive snaps in 14 games and six starts.
The Saints waived him during the final round of roster cuts.
Calvin Throckmorton bounced around with two other teams in 2023
The Carolina Panthers claimed Throckmorton off waivers on August 30. He started four games at left guard (Weeks 3-6) and three at right guard (Weeks 8-10), playing in 509 (81%) offensive snaps in nine games with the team.
The Panthers waived him on November 14.
The Tennessee Titans claimed Throckmorton off waivers on November 15. He played in six games and made zero starts, playing in 56 (14%) offensive snaps. He finished the season with two penalties, zero sacks allowed, and a 47.9 PFF Grade in 15 games and seven starts.
Who will be their starting quarterback’s signal-caller next season?
Four of their five starting offensive linemen from last season remain under contract, leaving the center position vacant.
The Broncos have a few options in handling the center vacancy. The team can sign/trade for a center in free agency, draft one, start Luke Wattenberg or Alex Forsyth, move Quinn Meinerz to center, and insert Throckmorton as the starting right guard.
How will the Denver Broncos handle the starting center position, and will Calvin Throckmorton start next season or be a backup?
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