Miles
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- Mar 18, 2019
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C LLOYD CUSHENBERRY III
Lloyd Cushenberry III joined the Broncos as a national champion, the leader of the nation's best collegiate offensive line and an All-American center. He didn't slow down upon arriving in Denver. Cushenberry beat out Patrick Morris and Austin Schlottmann despite no in-person offseason program, and he became just the second Broncos rookie to start Week 1 at center since the merger. He would better that accomplishment, though, as he played every snap for the Broncos. He was the only Denver offensive player to achieve that feat and was one of two rookies across the league to play every snap. He is also one of three rookie centers over the last five seasons to start every game.
16 games, 16 starts, 1,076 snaps (100 percent)
Game to remember:
Cushenberry said he took strides in the Broncos' Week 6 game against the Patriots, but he felt his best performance came in a Week 13 loss to the 11-1 Chiefs.
"We were disappointed we didn't win the game, but I thought we were out there playing physical and fast," Cushenberry said after the season. "That's when I realized I could do this on a consistent basis, and I tried to make it a habit. … It was a real turning point for me to tell myself that I could play with the best of the best."
Despite facing a defense that includes All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, the Broncos did not allow a sack and rushed for 179 yards on 33 carries.
Area for improvement:
Cushenberry said he believes he handled the mental side of the game well, which is likely in part to a tireless work ethic. In Year 2, he'll aim to craft his body to better stand up against NFL defensive linemen.
"It's just more physical and technique-wise," Cushenberry said. "Every year you want to get stronger as an O-lineman. We're going against big, fast D-linemen all the time, so we want to get stronger. Really, this offseason will be about just getting that technique down and overall just working on my body, changing my diet."
DT McTELVIN AGIM
The Broncos' final third-round pick, Agim struggled to find defensive playing time on a deep defensive line that initially included a lineup of Jurrell Casey, Mike Purcell and Shelby Harris. Injuries — and a lengthy COVID-related absence for Harris — gave Agim a chance for a few snaps at points of the season. The 6-foot-3, 309-pound player, though, largely spent the season working on his craft under the tutelage of Defensive Line Coach Bill Kollar.
"There's potential there," Head Coach Vic Fangio said in December. "Obviously, there's ups and downs anytime you put a young guy in there in the trenches. He's experienced some of that. … But we like 'Sosa' and we like his future, and hopefully he can keep improving."
10 games, eight tackles, one pass defensed.
Game to remember:
Agim saw his most work from Weeks 12-15, as he appeared in three games and played 50 defensive snaps. He totaled three combined tackles during those games.
Area for improvement:
As mentioned, Agim's rookie season was largely used for developmental purposes. He played defensive snaps in all 10 games in which he was active, but he played more than 20 percent of the team's snaps in just six of those games. It's possible in 2021 — in a defensive line room that could undergo significant change — that Agim could earn more of a role.