Why stay with Wilkinson?
Q: Why is Elijah Wilkinson still playing right tackle? He is a poor run blocker and pass blocker against any speed. Jake Rodgers played almost all of the last two games of last season and did a superb job. He continues to be the weak link on the offensive line while Rodgers sits on the practice squad. What is your opinion?
— Mike Deverich, Pueblo
RO: Broncos fans can thank Ja’Wuan James for having Wilkinson at right tackle. When James opted out before camp, Wilkinson went from backup swing tackle to starting right tackle.
Rodgers did OK in last year’s final two games, but the Broncos obviously weren’t comfortable enough with him to be the backup tackle so they kept Demar Dotson and Calvin Anderson.
The entire line broke down against Pittsburgh, not just Wilkinson, who I booked for 1 1/ 2 sacks, two pressures and one “bad” run block. If the Broncos make a move at right tackle, it will be to Dotson, not Rodgers.
Q: What bone- headed play- calling on third- and- 2 against Pittsburgh! Two downs to run the ball and get two yards!
Sheesh. Anybody with a half- working brain could have done better!
— Dale Trent, Satellite Beach, Fla.
RO: Dale isn’t happy with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s final two play calls. Trailing by five points with two minutes remaining, the Broncos had third- and- 2 from the Steelers’ 15.
Third down: The Broncos had three receivers bunched right and Melvin Gordon next to Driskel. Pressure pushed Driskel back and he had to throw off his back foot to KJ Hamler ( incomplete). The nitpick here is give Gordon a shot to run for the first down.
Fourth down: A no brainer to pass it here. Had Gordon rushed for a yard on third down, that would have opened up the playbook on fourth down. Driskel was sacked.
Q: Who would you take with our top- four draft pick in 2021? Perhaps a really mobile quarterback similar to Kyler Murray?
— Iva, Columbus, Ohio
RO: Draft talk! Any Broncos’ firstround discussion should begin at offensive tackle because Lock’s injury shouldn’t change the view that the Broncos feel they can move forward with him.
Left tackle Garett Bolles is in the final
year of his contract. Oregon’s Penei Sewell will be a top pick and the other top tackles are Texas’ Samuel Cosmi, Stanford’s Walker Little and Iowa’s Alaric Jackson.
Q: Ryan, the Broncos suffered a lot of key injuries so far this year. Who do you think benefits most from their new opportunities? I could see Tim Patrick emerging as a key target moving forward.
— Miles, Parker
RO: 1. I agree on Patrick. He’ll be the guy to throw a 50- 50 pass to so he can use his frame to win those in- the- air battles that are usually reserved for Sutton.
2. McTelvin Agim. The rookie defensive end was inactive for the first two games, but he’ll get a shot after injuries to Dre’Mont Jones ( knee) and DeMarcus Walker ( calf).
3. Royce Freeman. As long as Phillip Lindsay is out ( turf toe), Freeman will be the No. 2 behind Melvin Gordon.
4. Essang Bassey. He was the Broncos’ nickel back Sunday and will stay there until A. J. Bouye ( shoulder) returns from IR.