Calvin Anderson is a fascinating human being.

Despite being considered an undersized lineman for the majority of his football career, he’s continued to claw his way into getting starts year after year.

Anderson is just as intriguing off the field. He has a unique talent for solving a Rubik’s Cube behind his back.

With the Denver Broncos offensive line being plagued with injuries this season, Anderson has a massive opportunity to solidify himself as more than a swing player.

Roots in Philly

Anderson was born in Philadelphia, PA. He attended Georgetown High School for three years but transferred to Westlake High School for his senior year.

Not only did Anderson play football, basketball and tennis in high school, but he also marched center snare in the drum line.

As a junior, Anderson committed to Rice University. He stayed loyal to Rice despite offers from more prominent schools like Texas Tech and Kansas State.

He redshirted for his first year at Rice. After that, he started in 36 consecutive games at Rice. In that span, he allowed only 13 sacks and 61 total pressures.

After three years, he transferred to the University of Texas. There, he allowed seven sacks during the season and 26 total pressures.

Unfortunately, Anderson wasn’t invited to participate in any pre-draft bowl games, nor was he invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.

He went undrafted in 2019 but was signed by the New England Patriots.

He was waived by the Patriots on May 13, 2019, and claimed by the New York Jets. Although the Jets waived him at the end of preseason, they added him to their practice squad.

Joining the Denver Broncos

The Broncos signed Anderson from the Jets practice squad on Oct. 1, 2019.
Anderson didn’t see the field for the Broncos during the 2019 season. However, the then-offensive coordinator, Mike Munchak, worked to help develop Anderson, which paid off.

In 2020, he got his first NFL start in Week 9 as a right tackle against the Las Vegas Raiders.

His second start came in Week 13 against the Carolina Panthers. This time he played on the left side.

In his first performance, Pro Football Focus graded Anderson Anderson with a 39.5 run-blocking grade and a 51.7 pass-blocking grade.

His start at left tackle was much improved, though, earning a 56.6 pass-blocking and a 60.6 run-blocking grade.

The Broncos placed an exclusive-rights free-agent tender on Anderson on March 16, 2021. He signed a one-year contract on May 17.

Anderson entered the 2021 season as the primary swing tackle for the Broncos. He started three games in the middle of the season in place of starter, and close friend, Garett Bolles.

Sadly, he suffered a leg injury in Week 12 and was placed on injured reserve on December 2, 2021, ending his season. So Anderson played 172 snaps as the left tackle and only allowed seven total pressures with no sacks.

On March 14, 2022, Anderson signed a one-year contract extension with the Broncos.

Like in 2021, Bolles’ loss was Anderson’s gain. The tackle got his first season start in Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers after Garret Bolles suffered a season-ending broken leg the previous week.

So far in 2022, Anderson has started as a left tackle in four games, including the last three. Barring injuries, he’s on track to start the rest of the season.

The copious amounts of injuries have resulted in inconsistent play from the Broncos offensive line. Russell Wilson has been sacked 32 times, the third-highest amount in the league. And while some of those are on Wilson, many are on the line.

With seven games left to go in the season, Anderson is committed to protecting Wilson. He recently told Mike Klis from 9News, “We’re here to protect Russ. And any time Russ is getting hit, no matter what the circumstances, we take that on us.”

Anderson and the offensive line will have an opportunity to try and turn things around on Sunday when they visit the Carolina Panthers at 11:00 am MST.