Tag: Quinn Meinerz

Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from 34-27 loss to Chargers

Broncos CB Kris Abrams-Draine (75.6) impressed again while LB Justin Strnad (28.7) had a night to forget. View more PFF grades here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 16 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 16 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 79.7
  • FB Michael Burton: 75.3
  • RB Audric Estime: 74.1
  • G Quinn Meinerz: 73. 6
  • RB Blake Watson: 70.6

Adkins and Burton did a good job opening up running lanes and Estime impressed, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. RB Javonte Williams (67.3) received the sixth-best grade on offense after averaging 6.0 yards per tote. Denver should have been more committed to the run.

Best Defensive Players 

  • DL Malcolm Roach 84.9
  • CB Kris Abrams-Draine: 75.6
  • DL Eyioma Uwazurike: 75.5
  • DL D.J. Jones: 74.6
  • LB Drew Sanders: 73.4

One defensive snap, one sack for Sanders. Perhaps we’ll see more of him in the final two games of the regular season. Abrams-Draine, meanwhile, continues to look like a fifth-round gem.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • G Ben Powers: 42.3
  • OT Mike McGlinchey: 47.2
  • OL Matt Peart: 50.3
  • TE Adam Trautman: 52.2
  • WR Troy Franklin: 56.1

Franklin continues to struggle to make an impact. QB Bo Nix (62.6) ranked 11th among Denver’s 19 graded players on offense.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • LB Justin Strnad: 28.7
  • LB Cody Barton: 34.6
  • DB P.J. Locke: 43.7
  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 45.4
  • OLB Jonathan Cooper: 47.5

Strnad had a night to forget. In addition to his foul against a sliding Justin Herbert, the linebacker also allowed seven catches for 103 yards on eight coverage targets. The Broncos will need to make upgrading the inside linebacker position a priority in 2025.

Special Teams 

  • ST JL Skinner: 71.9
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 64.8
  • R Marvin Mims: 61.2
  • K Wil Lutz: 73.5 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 67.5

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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Pro Bowl fan voting update is good news for 2 Broncos players

Pat Surtain and Nik Bonitto are on pace to make the Pro Bowl, but other Broncos players need your vote.

Fan voting for the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games opened three weeks ago and we have received our third round of voting updates. The Denver Broncos have 11 players in the top ten at their respective positions after the third wave of voting.

  • Pat Surtain: 2nd-most votes at cornerback (2nd in AFC)
  • Nik Bonitto: 2nd-most votes at outside linebacker (2nd in AFC)
  • Riley Dixon: 5th-most votes at punter (3rd in AFC)
  • Wil Lutz: 6th-most votes at kicker (4th in AFC)
  • Michael Burton: 6th-most votes at fullback (4th in AFC)
  • Zach Allen: 8th-most votes at defensive tackle (4th-most in the AFC)
  • Marvin Mims: 10th-most votes at returner (4th in AFC)
  • Brandon Jones: 10th-most votes at strong safety (5th in AFC)
  • Bo Nix: 10th-most votes at quarterback (5th in AFC)
  • Mitchel Frabroni: 10th-most votes at long snapper (5th in AFC)
  • Tremon Smith: 10th-most votes on special teams (5th in AFC)

Snubs in the top ten include guard Quinn Meinerz and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. Both players could make up ground when players and coaches add their votes later this month.

Surtain and Bonitto appear to be locks to make it, but the rest of Denver’s players in the top ten might be contending for alternate spots. Allen will presumably make up ground when players and coaches vote.

Fans can vote for the Pro Bowl through Dec. 23. The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2.

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Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from 31-13 win vs. Colts

Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto (92.2) did it again and CB Kris Abrams-Draine (79.4) looks like a gem. View more PFF grades here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 31-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 15 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 15 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 85.9
  • OT Mike McGlinchey: 81.3
  • G Ben Powers: 78.1
  • G Quinn Meinerz: 77.6
  • OL Matt Peart: 75.3

A brilliant performance from the offensive line. Peart only played five snaps, but the sixth- and seventh-best players on offense were WR Marvin Mims (71.3) and tackle Garett Bolles (70.8).

Best Defensive Players 

  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 92.2
  • DB Brandon Jones: 92.0
  • CB Kris Abrams-Draine: 79.4
  • DB P.J. Locke: 78.7
  • CB Pat Surtain: 76.0

Another Defensive Player of the Year performance from Bonitto. Meanwhile, Abrams-Draine looks like another cornerback gem uncovered by Denver’s staff.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • WR Devaughn Vele: 45.2
  • WR Troy Franklin: 45.8
  • WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey: 49.4
  • WR Courtland Sutton: 49.9
  • RB Javonte Williams: 51.5

The sixth-worst player on offense was running back Jaleel McLaughlin (53.9). Adding weapons for QB Bo Nix should be a top priority in 2025.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • DL Jordan Jackson: 45.0
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 53.7
  • DL Zach Allen: 55.9
  • CB Damarri Mathis: 56.0
  • ILB Cody Barton: 57.0

Watching the game live, it didn’t seem like McMillian played as poorly as his grade indicates. Broncos coach Sean Payton also praised Mathis, so these harsh grades on defense should perhaps be taken with a grain of salt.

Special Teams 

  • ST Jonah Elliss: 70.4
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 73.0
  • R Marvin Mims: 86.2
  • K Wil Lutz: 70.3 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 62.9

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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Pro Bowl fan voting update is good news for several Broncos players

Pat Surtain and Nik Bonitto are on pace to make the Pro Bowl, but other Broncos players need your vote.

Fan voting for the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games opened two weeks and we have received our second round of voting updates. The Denver Broncos have 11 players in the top ten at their respective positions after the second wave of voting.

  • Pat Surtain: 2nd-most votes at cornerback (2nd in AFC)
  • Nik Bonitto: 2nd-most votes at outside linebacker (2nd in AFC)
  • Brandon Jones: 6th-most votes at strong safety (4th in AFC)
  • Wil Lutz: 6th-most votes at kicker (4th in AFC)
  • Michael Burton: 6th-most votes at fullback (4th in AFC)
  • Riley Dixon: 6th-most votes at punter (4th in AFC)
  • Zach Allen: 8th-most votes at defensive tackle (4th-most in the AFC)
  • Bo Nix: 9th-most votes at quarterback (5th in AFC)
  • Marvin Mims: 10th-most votes at returner (4th in AFC)
  • Mitchel Frabroni: 10th-most votes at long snapper (5th in AFC)
  • Tremon Smith: 10th-most votes on special teams (5th in AFC)

Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers dropped out of the top 10 this week after ranking 10th last week (6th in the AFC). Denver guard Quinn Meinerz has been a massive snub in fan voting, but he should make up ground when players and coaches vote later this month.

Right now, Surtain and Bonitto seem like locks to make it and several players — including Allen — are on track for at least an alternate nod. With double-digit players in the top ten in fan voting, the Broncos should have multiple players in Orlando.

Fans can vote for the Pro Bowl through Dec. 23. The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2.

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Pro Bowl fan voting update is good news for several Broncos players

The Broncos have 12 players in the top ten at their respective positions in fan voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl.

Fan voting for the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games opened last week and we received our first update this week. The Denver Broncos have 12 players in the top ten at their respective positions after the first wave of voting.

  • Pat Surtain: 2nd-most votes at cornerback (2nd in AFC)
  • Nik Bonitto: 3rd-most votes at outside linebacker (2nd in AFC)
  • Zach Allen: 6th-most votes at defensive tackle (3rd-most in the AFC)
  • Brandon Jones: 6th-most votes at strong safety (3rd in AFC)
  • Wil Lutz: 6th-most votes at kicker (4th in AFC)
  • Michael Burton: 7th-most votes at fullback (4th in AFC)
  • Riley Dixon: 7th-most votes at punter (5th in AFC)
  • Bo Nix: 9th-most votes at quarterback (5th in AFC)
  • Mitchel Frabroni: 9th-most votes at long snapper (5th in AFC)
  • Marvin Mims: 10th-most votes at returner (4th in AFC)
  • Tremon Smith: 10th-most votes on special teams (5th in AFC)
  • John Franklin-Myers: 10th-most votes at defensive tackle (6th in AFC)

Strangely, Quinn Meinerz is not among the top ten guards in fan votes. He should make up a lot of ground when players and coaches vote later this month.

Right now, Surtain and Bonitto seem like locks to make it and Allen appears to be on pace to at least get an alternate nod. With so many players in the top ten in fan voting, the Broncos should be well-represented in Orlando.

Fans can vote for the Pro Bowl through Dec. 23. The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2.

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Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from 41-32 win vs. Browns

Nik Bonitto (92.3) had a huge game and Levi Wallace (32.0) had a night to forget. View more Broncos PFF grades here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 41-32 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 13 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 13 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 89.2
  • G Quinn Meinerz: 82.2
  • QB Bo Nix: 76.5
  • WR Marvin Mims: 76.0
  • WR Courtland Sutton: 74.2

Sutton remains Mr. Reliable for Nix, and that 93-yard touchdown catch from Mims was huge. It’s been a long time since Denver had an offense this fun to watch.

Best Defensive Players 

  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 92.3
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 91.6
  • CB Damarri Mathis: 77.6
  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 76.5
  • OLB Jonathon Cooper: 76.3

Bonitto continues to make his case for Defensive Player of the Year while McMillian stars in the slot. Mathis might deserve more snaps going forward, too.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • RB Javonte Williams: 45.2
  • TE Adam Trautman: 50.3
  • OL Matt Peart: 55.1
  • OT Garett Bolles: 55.6
  • OL Luke Wattenberg: 57.9

PFF must grade penalties very harshly because Bolles held up mostly well against Myles Garrett, who finished the day without any sacks. Williams has posted a dud in back-to-back games.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • CB Levi Wallace: 32.0
  • DB Brandon Jones: 35.8
  • CB Kris Abrams-Draine: 37.6
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 47.5
  • DB P.J. Locke: 53.4

A night to forget for the secondary, particularly Wallace. Abrams-Draine was dinged by PFF for a penalty, but he appeared to be an upgrade over Wallace. The Broncos will hope Riley Moss (knee) is able to return after the bye.

Special Teams 

  • ST Jonah Elliss: 73.6
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 65.3
  • R Marvin Mims: 60.6
  • K Wil Lutz: 66.3 (FG) 52.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 69.9

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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5 Broncos players who deserve to make the 2025 Pro Bowl

These five Denver Broncos players should make the Pro Bowl this season.

Fan voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl opened on Monday and the Denver Broncos have five players who deserve to make the All-Star game.

Here’s a quick list of the Broncos players who should receive an invite to Florida following the regular season.

1. CB Pat Surtain: PS2 has allowed just 142 passing yards this season, fewest in the NFL among qualified cornerbacks. Add in three interceptions (including a 100-yard pick-six) and Surtain should be a lock.

2. G Quinn Meinerz: He delivers pancake blocks seemingly every week. Meinerz is overdue for his first career Pro Bowl nod.

3. DL Zach Allen: He’s currently sidelined with a heel injury, but Allen still leads defensive linemen with 52 pressures this season. Allen has dominated this fall, totaling 21 quarterback hits, 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and five sacks through 11 games.

4. OLB Nik Bonitto: The first Broncos to record double-digit sacks since 2018, Bonitto is in contention to lead the NFL in sacks this season.

5. WR Courtland Sutton: His 744 receiving yards rank in the top four in the AFC, as do his five receiving touchdowns. Sutton has been a reliable WR1 for rising rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

Honorable mentions: CB Riley Moss, K Wil Lutz, OLB Jonathon Cooper, CB Ja’Quan McMillian, DB Brandon Jones, LT Garett Bolles, QB Bo Nix, KR/PR Marvin Mims and ST Tremon Smith.

Fans can vote for the Pro Bowl through Dec. 23. The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2.

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Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from 29-19 win over Raiders

Quinn Meinerz (94.0) was the Broncos’ best player on Sunday, followed by CB Riley Moss (90.5). View more PFF grades here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 29-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 12 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 12 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • OL Quinn Meinerz: 94.0
  • OT Garett Bolles: 79.8
  • WR Devaughn Vele: 77.5
  • QB Bo Nix: 75.5
  • C Luke Wattenberg: 70.0

A good day overall for the offensive line and another solid performance from QB Bo Nix and WR Devaughn Vele. WR Courtland Sutton (67.8) received the sixth-best grade on offense, followed by tackle Mike McGlinchey (65.5).

Best Defensive Players 

  • CB Riley Moss: 90.5
  • CB Pat Surtain: 83.0
  • DB Brandon Jones: 76.9
  • DB P.J. Locke: 72.3
  • CB Damarri Mathis: 71.1

Riley Moss left with a knee injury but played well before that. Brandon Jones had a game-changing interception. If you don’t count Mathis, who played just two defensive snaps, the fifth-best defender on the day was pass rusher Nik Bonitto (71.0).

Worst Offensive Players 

  • TE Adam Trautman: 43.5
  • OL Matt Peart: 50.3
  • RB Javonte Williams: 50.3
  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 50.3
  • G Ben Powers: 51.9

TE Lucas Krull (52.9) received the sixth-worst grade on offense. Denver would be wise to have TE and RB listed among the team’s top needs on offense in the offseason.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • DL Jordan Jackson: 33.6
  • OLB Jonah Elliss: 35.4
  • LB Levelle Bailey: 37.0
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 37.8
  • LB Justin Strnad: 43.5

With Alex Singleton coming back from a torn ACL at 30 years old, the Broncos should target an inside linebacker in 2025 as well.

Special Teams 

  • ST Jonah Elliss: 72.6
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 65.1
  • R Marvin Mims: 60.5
  • K Wil Lutz: 76.5 (FG) 53.9 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 67.9

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz delivered huge blocks vs. Falcons

Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz dominated the Falcons on Sunday.

Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz is a beast.

The 2023 Pro Bowl alternate continues turning heads as he delivers pancake blocks on a near-weekly basis with the Broncos.

Meinerz played a role in running back Javonte Williams’ team-effort touchdown run, and he also delivered two big blocks against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

In the third quarter, Meinerz blocked Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss down field, then he turned his attention toward lighting up Atlanta safety Jessie Bates. Those blocks helped wide receiver Troy Franklin score on a screen play to extend the lead to 28-6.

Here’s the play, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter/X page. Meinerz is the right guard, No. 77:

Meinerz delivered another pancake block on linebacker Nate Landman on a different screen pass:

Former NFL offensive lineman AQ Shipley reacted to Meinerz’s big block on Twitter/X:

Meinerz (6-3, 320 pounds) has clearly established himself as one of the best guards in the NFL, and he should earn his first career Pro Bowl nod this fall.

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Javonte Williams had a great reaction to being pushed into end zone by teammates

“The cavalry came,” Broncos RB Javonte Williams said of being pushed into the end zone. He knew Quinn Meinerz was involved.

In the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams met Falcons safety Justin Simmons at about the five-yard line and was stood up.

Williams kept his legs moving and teammates soon arrived to help push him into the end zone for a touchdown.

“They just seen me and J-Sim one-on-one kind of at a stalemate and after that, the cavalry came,” Williams said of the play after the game.

Williams was picked up by his teammates and escorted into the end zone.

“I was in the air,” Williams said after the game. “That was all the o-line. From like the five-yard line on, that was all the o-line because my feet were in the air. So all the credit to them.”

After an eventual 38-6 victory, guard Quinn Meinerz detailed how pushing the pile dates back to his time in college.

“Pushing the pile, I’m going to give a shout-out to my offensive line coach at [Wisconsin-] Whitewater, Coach Brent Allen,” Meinerz said. “That was something that was instilled in us as Whitewater offensive linemen that — it was push the pile every time. Get to the pile, push the pile. We had tons of plays like that in college.”

Denver’s social media team had Williams break down the play after the game:

Williams knew Meinerz was involved during the play.

“Yeah, when my feet came out the ground and I was still moving, I said, it must be Quinn and somebody, because I know Quinn is going to be the one push,” Williams said.

Williams ended the day with nine carries for 59 yards and one touchdown. He also added four receptions for 28 yards as the Broncos improved to 6-5 with a convincing victory at home.

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