Offensive Line Depth
Coming into the year, the Denver Broncos offensive line looked much improved from last season, and through a game and a half, it looked that way. C.J. Anderson was playing like one of the best backs in the NFL, and Trevor Siemian was receiving ample time in the pocket to find his receivers.
Then, with an injury to Donald Stephenson, the line took a step back. After producing 234 rushing yards in the first six quarters, the Broncos only produced 100 in their final six.
The Broncos starting line may be improved — Matt Paradis is playing great, and Russell Okung and Stephenson are definite upgrades over Ryan Clark and Michael Schofield — but the depth may be just as worrisome as it was last year.
Before the season started, it was a comforting thought to know that Ty Sambrailo, who the Broncos selected in the second round to be their franchise left tackle, was going to be able to play the role of swing tackle. Yes, it wasn’t what they originally had in mind, but it was a luxury any team would love to have. But when he finally got his opportunity last week, he was miserable, grading out as the worst tackle in all of football, according to Pro Football Focus.
And when Darrion Weems has been asked to step in at guard, he’s been nearly as bad.
If any of Denver’s starters miss a significant amount of time, the line that powers the Broncos offense could be in serious trouble. All we have to do is look at the Broncos’ running game over the last game and a half to see the type of impact one absence can have.
