Offensive unit beefed up for Lock
Will Garett Bolles hold back the offensive line?
Ask any fan in Denver if there’s a weak link on offense and the answer is Bolles, who has averaged almost one penalty a game in his career and hasn’t lived up to his 2017 firstround draft status. The Broncos didn’t add tackles in the draft despite GM John Elway describing the position as an area the team has to get better.
Bolles will compete for the starting left tackle job. Elijah Wilkinson spent time at right tackle as an injury fill-in for Ja’Wuan James, but he’s probably best suited to play as a guard, so Bolles might have an advantage. “We still feel like we can be very competitive with the tackle situation that we have,” Elway said.
Who will replace Chris Harris Jr. at cornerback?
After starting his career with four Pro Bowl nods, 20 interceptions and a Super Bowl win in Denver, Harris left the Broncos to sign a two-year, $17 million contract with the Chargers. It won’t be easy to replace a player who had been one of the team’s best cornerbacks for nine seasons.
Denver traded a fourthround pick to the Jaguars in exchange for A.J. Bouye in March, but there aren’t many proven options behind him on the depth chart. Bryce Callahan signed with the Broncos last spring and missed all of the 2019 season with a foot injury. He was an excellent cornerback with the Bears, but there’s no guarantee that he will return to his old form.
Still, Callahan (foot) is healthy again, defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said during a Zoom conference call with reporters in early June.
“On the medical side, he’s ready to go,” Donatell said. “He’s running full speed. He’ll be right in our camp and ready to go. He’s been totally engaged.”
Denver used a third-round pick on Michael Ojemudia, though Vic Fangio probably wouldn’t prefer to start a rookie. De’Vante Bausby and Duke Dawson had stretches of strong play last year, but neither will command respect from an offense like Harris did.
If Callahan stays healthy, he will be the favorite to start across from Bouye. In 2018, his most recent season, Callahan totaled 39 tackles, two sacks, six pass breakups and two interceptions. He will turn 29 in October.
Will Drew Lock deliver after being set up for success?
After going 4-1 as a starter last season, Lock earned the trust of the Broncos’ brass. To help the young QB succeed in his first full season as a starter, Elway set out this offseason to surround Lock with talent. On paper, it looks like he accomplished that goal.
Denver signed Graham Glasgow, one of the top guards in free agency, and drafted Lloyd Cushenberry in the third round to shore up the offensive line.
The Broncos added Melvin Gordon, pairing him with fellow Pro Bowl running back Phillip Lindsay to give the offense a formidable rushing attack.
Perhaps most notably, Elway selected speedy wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler in
this year’s draft.
Elway also drafted one of Lock’s favorite targets when they were at Missouri — tight end Albert Okwuegbunam — in the fourth round. Adding such speed to a passing game that already includes Pro Bowl wide receiver Courtland Sutton and tight end Noah Fant gives plenty with which to work.
“I felt that offensively, for us to be able to compete and give Drew a chance to be successful we had to get some speed and talent on that offensive side and some explosiveness,” Elway said.
Lock needs to prove that Denver made the right decision to fully commit to him, opting to pass on Cam Newton and Jameis Winston during free agency. If Lock struggles in his second season, it likely won’t be because his supporting cast let him down.
Lock has helped players stay up to speed by organizing unofficial practices at a local park. Because no coaches attend the practices, Lock and his teammates are acting within NFL rules.