Broncos roster series: No. 76, OL Calvin Throckmorton

Calvin Throckmorton joined the Broncos this spring with 27 career starts on his resume. He’s a versatile lineman who has played OT, G and C.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fifth-year offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton, No. 76.

Before the Broncos: Throckmorton (6-5, 311 pounds) entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon with the New Orleans Saints in 2020. He played tackle, guard and center in college and that versatility was appealing to the Saints. After spending his rookie season on the practice squad, Throckmorton dressed for all 17 games in 2021, starting 14 times.

After starting just six games in 2022, Throckmorton failed to make the Saints’ 53-man roster last summer. He was then picked up by the Carolina Panthers and started seven games before being waived again. Throckmorton then finished the season with the Tennessee Titans.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Throckmorton this spring to add more depth to the offensive line. He has played primarily as a guard in the NFL, but Throckmorton could serve as a swing guard/tackle with the Broncos.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Toss up. Throckmorton’s experience playing in Sean Payton’s offense could help his chances of making the squad. He is unlikely to start this year, but Throckmorton could win a backup role as an experienced, versatile lineman.

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Broncos roster series: No. 75, OL Quinn Bailey

Quinn Bailey is projected to serve as a backup swing tackle/guard for the Broncos this season.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at third-year offensive lineman Quinn Bailey, No. 75.

Before the Broncos: Bailey (6-6, 323 pounds) spent five years at Arizona State, emerging as a full-time starter in his third season. Bailey started 34 games during his time with the Sun Devils, playing primarily as a right tackle. He also spent time at guard. Bailey earned honorable mention Pac-12 All-Conference recognition in his final season in 2018.

Broncos tenure: After going undrafted, Bailey signed with Denver as a college free agent in 2019. He bounced between the practice squad and active roster from 2019-2022 before winning a spot on the 53-man roster last summer. Bailey dressed for all 17 games in 2023 as a backup swing tackle/guard. He made one fill-in start in each of the last two seasons.

Bailey has been with the team since 2019, but the NFL considers him a “third-year” player because he only has two accrued seasons (dressing for six or more regular season games in the same season).

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Likely. Bailey is not expected to win a starting job at training camp, but he should be a top candidate to serve as a backup swing tackle/guard in 2024.

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Broncos roster series: No. 74, OL Ben Powers

Entering his second season with the Broncos, Ben Powers will look to improve after allowing four sacks last fall.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at sixth-year guard Ben Powers, No. 74.

Before the Broncos: Powers (6-4, 310 pounds) entered the league as a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. He spent his rookie season as a reserve player before emerging as a fill-in starter for seven games in 2020. Powers started 12 games in 2021 and then emerged as a full-time starter in 2022. He was penalized once in 2022 and did not allow any sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

Broncos tenure: Following the best season of his career, Powers hit free agency and signed a four-year, $52 million contract with Denver. He allowed four sacks and was penalized three times in 2023, according to PFF.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Lock. Powers is set to start at left guard for the Broncos again this fall. Barring injury, Powers is in no danger of losing his starting role ahead of the 2024 season.

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Broncos roster series: No. 66, OL Nick Gargiulo

Nick Gargiulo is a versatile offensive lineman who spent time at tackle, guard and center in college. He’ll compete at guard this summer.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo, No. 66.

Before the Broncos: Gargiulo (6-5, 310 pounds) spent five years at Yale, earning a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection in 2022. After playing left tackle at Yale, Gargiulo made a graduate transfer to South Carolina ahead of the 2023 season. The versatile offensive lineman spent time as a guard and as a center with the Gamecocks. Gargiulo was a team captain at Yale and at South Carolina before entering the NFL.

Broncos tenure: Denver picked Gargiulo in the seventh round of this year’s NFL draft. Although he finished his college career as a center, the Broncos view him as a guard first who can move around if needed.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Toss up. Quinn Meinerz and Ben Powers are locked into the starting spots and Luke Wattenberg might be the favorite to serve as the top backup guard in 2024. Gargiulo will get a chance to win a spot on the active roster, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the rookie begin his first season on the practice squad.

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Broncos roster series: No. 60, OL Luke Wattenberg

Entering his third year with the Broncos, Luke Wattenberg is set to compete for the team’s starting center job this summer.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at third-year offensive lineman Luke Wattenberg, No. 60.

Before the Broncos: Wattenberg (6-5, 300 pounds) played college football for the Washington Huskies, earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 recognition in 2020 and 2021. With a redshirt year and extra year of eligibility granted from COVID-19, Wattenberg spent six years at Washington. He played left tackle, left guard and center with the Huskies, starting 16 games at center in his final two seasons.

Broncos tenure: Denver picked Wattenburg in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft. He dressed for seven games as a rookie and had one fill-in start in his first season. Last year, Wattenburg dressed for 16 games and played 38 snaps on offense, serving as a backup swing guard/center.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Likely. Wattenburg is competing with Alex Forsyth and Sam Mustipher for the starting center job this summer. Wattenburg is not the favorite to start at center in Week 1, but he should have strong odds of making the team as a versatile backup.

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Broncos signing Quinn Meinerz to 4-year, $80 million extension

The Broncos are giving Quinn Meinerz a four-year, $80 million contract extension that will keep him in Denver through 2028.

The Denver Broncos are giving star guard Quinn Meinerz a four-year, $80 million contract extension, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was among the first to break the news on Tuesday evening.

Meinerz (6-3, 320 pounds) will get $45 million guaranteed and he is now under contract through the 2028 season. The offensive lineman currently has one year left on his rookie deal and he’s set to earn $3.366 million before his extension kicks in next year. Meinerz will earn an average of $20 million per season on his new deal.

Meinerz, 25, was picked by the Broncos in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Meinerz played at a Division III program, but his college film and strong showing at the Senior Bowl impressed NFL teams.

Meinerz went viral during the pre-draft process thanks to his unique outdoor workout videos, and he quickly became a fan favorite after “letting the belly breathe” at practice. Meinerz has also gone viral for his impressive blocks.

A Pro Bowl alternate last season, Meinerz was recently ranked as the fifth-best guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. He’s now paid like one.

Up next for Denver will be giving a contract extension to star cornerback Pat Surtain. PS2 still has two years left on his current deal after the Broncos picked up his fifth-year option this spring.

Meinerz’s new deal won’t impact the team’s 2024 salary cap space.

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Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz shifting focus toward bigger goals

“At the end of the day, the thing that really matters to me most is postseason football,” Quinn Meinerz said when asked about his goals.

Denver Broncos offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz has emerged as one of the best guards in the NFL, but he was snubbed by Pro Bowl voters last season.

Meinerz was named an alternate but did not end up making the all-star game. After that disappointment in 2023, Meinerz has shifted the focus of his goals to a more important task in 2024: playoffs.

“I definitely have personal goals, but right now it’s about keeping things small and not necessarily focusing on that,” Meinerz said on June 11. “I think I might have focused a little too much on being a Pro Bowl player and almost feeling let down in a sense [last year]. That’s not necessarily where I am focused at anymore.

“I think that is kind of an individual thing that will happen as a byproduct of playing well and being consistent. At the end of the day, the thing that really matters to me most is postseason football.”

Meinerz is right. Pro Bowl rosters are often filled with players from teams with the best records. It’s easy for star players on losing teams to be overlooked because of the club’s record. The Broncos having success as a team overall will draw more attention to their individual stars.

And while earning an all-star nod is obviously a goal for every player, getting the team back to the playoffs is the first and most important task. We’ll see if Meinerz and Co. can break an eight-year playoff drought in 2024. That’s the No. 1 goal of every player in Denver.

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Broncos coach Sean Payton loves having Quinn Meinerz at right guard

“I love that he’s our right guard,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Quinn Meinerz.

Denver Broncos interior offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz has quietly emerged as one of the NFL’s best guards over the last three seasons.

Meinerz was recently ranked as the fifth-best guard in the league by Pro Football Focus and, entering a contract year, he’s poised to have a big season in 2024 after impressing new coach Sean Payton in 2023.

“I thought he had a really good year,” Payton said on June 11 when asked about Meinerz’s 2023 campaign. “I remember when he came out [of college], and when a player [went] to the AFC, maybe you lose track a little bit. I thought he played exceptionally well.

“Certainly, he’s a powerful, sticky run blocker. He does a lot of things extremely well. I think he loves it. He loves the process, which is half the battle. So I love that he’s our right guard.”

Meinerz was a Pro Bowl alternate last season. He’ll look to build on that with a Pro Bowl selection in 2024 and perhaps All-Pro recognition as well. The 25-year-old guard is set to get a massive raise on his next contract, and it will be well deserved.

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Nick Gargiulo willing to play anywhere on Broncos’ offensive line

Nick Gargiulo finished his college career as a center, but the Broncos view him as a guard. He’s willing to play any position.

With their final pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos used a seventh-round selection to add South Carolina offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo.

Gargiulo (6-5, 310 pounds) will face an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, but he’ll get a chance to compete this summer.

“[It’s been] good,” Gargiulo said last month. “[I’m] just trying to get better and trying to improve on my technique.”

Gargiulo finished his college career as a center, but Denver’s staff views him as a guard first. He’s willing to line up anywhere up front.

“I feel comfortable,” he said. “Anywhere that I can improve and get better on the [offensive] line, that’s what I’m trying to do.”

The Broncos’ starting guards are Quinn Meinerz and Ben Powers and top backup candidates include Luke Wattenberg and Quinn Bailey. If he doesn’t end up on the active roster, Gargiulo will likely be a top candidate for the team’s 16-player practice squad.

Denver will trim the roster from 90 players down to 53 in August.

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Broncos’ Quinn Meinerz ranked as NFL’s 5th-best guard

PFF ranked Broncos offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz as the fifth-best guard in the NFL going into the 2024 season.

Thomas Valentine of Pro Football Focus recently ranked the top 32 guards in the NFL, and he has Denver Broncos offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz ranked fifth overall.

Lately, there have been some interesting rankings about Denver in the offseason, from head coach Sean Payton getting ranked 16th on Touchdown Wire’s top head coach list to the Broncos’ roster being ranked dead last by PFF. 

However, PFF’s naming of Meinerz as a top-five guard in the league should give Broncos Country some relief that a high-performing offensive lineman can be trusted to protect Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham or Zach Wilson.

“Meinerz played in all 17 regular-season games for the first time in 2023 on his way to an 83.7 PFF overall grade, the third-best mark among guards,” Valentine wrote on PFF. “The third-year pro has improved his overall grade for the past two seasons and has quietly taken his place as one of the better guards in the NFL.

“His 3.8% pressure rate allowed was the 14th lowest in the NFL, and his 88.7 run-blocking grade ranked second. Meinerz is showing he can dominate in both run-blocking and pass-protecting assignments — no easy feat.”

Meinerz will help Payton launch the post-Russell Wilson era in 2024, helping protect either Nix, Stidham or Wilson. Whoever ends up winning the starting QB job can count on solid protection from Meinerz this fall. 


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