OL Notes: Broncos, Wattenberg, Raiders, Cowboys, Beebe, Patriots, Giants, Neal

The center position stands out on Denver’s offensive line. The Broncos’ front features four players with eight-figure annual contracts, providing Bo Nix with a solid group of blockers as he starts his career. However, the team hasn’t brought in a top-tier replacement for Lloyd Cushenberry, who signed a lucrative deal with the Titans. Instead, the competition for the starting center position is between recent Day 3 draft picks. Luke Wattenberg, who started both of Denver’s preseason games, is seen as the frontrunner over 2023 seventh-round pick Alex Forsyth, despite Forsyth’s previous experience as Nix’s center at Oregon, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.

Wattenberg, a Washington alum entering his age-27 season, has two years remaining on his rookie contract and has played 128 snaps in his career. This adjustment will be significant for the Broncos, who had Cushenberry as their starter for four seasons. Wattenberg’s fifth-round contract fits well with the other high-paid linemen on the team, including Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Mike McGlinchey, and Quinn Meinerz.

Here’s the latest from the offensive line front:

The Patriots are expected to explore the waiver wire for potential additions when hundreds of players are released next Wednesday. However, de facto GM Eliot Wolf stated that the team is currently satisfied with their offensive line. Without left guard Cole Strange and with no clear starting tackles named, it seems that 2023 trade acquisition Vederian Lowe may be positioned at left tackle, and free agent addition Chukwuma Okorafor at right tackle, as reported by Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. Jerod Mayo had hoped to finalize the O-line before the third preseason game, and concerns about the front five influenced Drake Maye’s brief appearance in the preseason opener. This situation could lead to an intriguing decision if Mayo and Wolf opt to start Maye.

Cooper Beebe was initially considered a strong candidate to replace Tyler Biadasz as the Cowboys’ center, but Brock Hoffman, a 2022 undrafted free agent who started two games last season, had been working primarily at center during training camp. Recently, Beebe has received first-team reps, suggesting he may be moving towards securing the starting role, according to Saad Youself of The Athletic. Beebe, a third-round rookie, now seems more likely to start, with Hoffman potentially being relegated to a backup role.

Jackson Powers-Johnson, who missed OTAs due to a shoulder injury and then a concussion during minicamp, has only recently returned to practice with the Raiders. The team had hoped he would immediately claim the left guard position, but his injury-related absence may delay his debut. As a result, free agent signing Cody Whitehair has been working as the starting left guard and is expected to keep that role into the season. The Bears had demoted Whitehair last year, so his fit with the Raiders—under former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy—will be noteworthy. Meanwhile, the Raiders’ former right guard Greg Van Roten is back in New York, where he could move to center if Giants center John Michael Schmitz is unavailable. Aaron Stinnie would then replace Van Roten at guard.

Additionally, Evan Neal’s status is uncertain as he is not guaranteed to be active on game days due to only practicing at right tackle since recovering from ankle surgery. If Neal struggles, Joshua Ezeudu, who has played both tackle positions during camp, may serve as the Giants’ swing tackle.