Examining Broncos Rookie C Alex Forsyth's Odds of Winning Starting Job

Can Alex Forsyth take the Denver Broncos' starting center job from Lloyd Cushenberry III?

The Denver Broncos' 2020 draft class has been a disappointment. The Broncos had five picks in the top 100, and only two are still on the roster: wideout Jerry Jeudy and center Lloyd Cushenberry III. 

Even though they're on the roster, neither has lived up to expectations, though Jeudy is close. Cushenberry has been the Broncos' starting center since he was drafted, playing over 2,600 snaps in three years. He suffered an injury in Week 8 last year and was out for the rest of the season. 

Cushenberrry's rookie season was solid, and he showed potential, but it's gone downhill since then. He's been flagged 13 times, with three penalties as a rookie and two more that were declined or offset over the last two seasons. His play as a run blocker has been stagnant, and while there was an improvement in his pass protection statistically, it's a different story when watching his film. 

The Broncos had to turn a lot of attention to the center position, putting more on the guards to give Cushenberry a hand. When he was left alone, he was consistently pushed backward, allowing defenders to keep the quarterback from stepping up. 

Cushenberry's play has led to the Broncos trying to improve the center position in the draft, with little luck. That's where 2023 seventh-rounder Alex Forsyth comes in. 

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Forsyth has been written off due to his draft pedigree, but it was an injury that hindered his stock, causing him to fall to the last round. Multiple offensive line-focused analysts were a lot higher on Forsyth, and some of them work with NFL offensive linemen during the offseason. 

The Broncos' offensive scheme improves Forsyth's potential to take the starting job over Cushenberry. Broncos head coach Sean Payton has made it abundantly clear that this offense will be run-heavy, and that is where Cushenberry struggles the most. Forsyth has his issues, but one of his best traits coming out of college was how well he did as a run blocker. 

Forsyth showcased that propensity by opening up a big lane in the run game during Friday's training camp practice. 

#Broncos team drills a bit of a mixed bag for the offense. Another big gain for McLaughlin with Alex Forsyth creating a big hole. DiNucci hung in the pocket and delivered a strike to Hinton over the middle for huge gain.

First team offense didn’t gain much traction but that was…

— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 4, 2023

There hasn't been much mention of Forsyth since camp started, but it's concerning for the unit when the defensive line and edge rusher have garnered as much praise as they have this summer. If Forsyth is going to take the starting job, he needs to flash and carry it over to the preseason games, which start on Friday in Arizona. 

Preseason games are the best litmus test for offensive linemen. It's a live game setting without limits on the amount of contact. If Forsyth is going to take the job, he can't disappear in these games. 

Bottom Line

Forsyth faces a long road to take the job. If the Broncos' initial depth chart offers any insight, Forsyth is the third-string center and still has to unseat Luke Wattenberg to assume the second-team spot.

That's the first order of business for Forsyth in his quest to take the starting job. 

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