A Broncos lineman predicts a breakout season for one teammate
Aug 23, 2022, 1:18 PM
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Lloyd Cushenberry III is at the center of a position with many question marks. What will the Broncos offensive line look like, and will they improve from last season’s sub-par play? Cushenberry, who has started 32 games over the past two seasons, is slated to begin the season as the starting center again.
Cushenberry spoke to the media on Tuesday, and instead of focusing on his side of the line, he tossed it to who he’s been going up against the most in camp.
“They got a good group,” Cushenberry said of the defensive line. “I’m looking forward to watching them play. I’m glad we get to go against them every day. Let’s keep sharpening iron, but they got a great group.”
The former third-round pick, Cushenberry, is entering his third season out of LSU. He singled out one of his teammates that’s really impressed him; Dre’Mont Jones. Also a former third-round pick, the 25-year-old has played three seasons in the NFL coming out of Ohio State.
“He’s going to have a big year; his speed, his power, his motor, he’s the total package,” Cushenberry said of Jones.
Jones has 12 sacks over the past two seasons, starting in about half the Broncos games. The defensive end has shown a good ability to get after the quarterback.
But it’s more than just Dre’Mont; the whole Broncos defensive line could be jonesing for quarterback pressures.
Cushenberry also went out of his way to praise big free agent pickup, D.J. Jones, saying his get-off and strength have impressed.
The more veteran Jones signed a three-year $30 million deal this offseason after five successful seasons in San Francisco. The former sixth-round pick from Mississippi blossomed the last three years, with seven sacks, 21 tackles for a loss, and 73 solo tackles from the nose tackle spot.
Dre’Mont is in the final season of his rookie contract, so if there were any time to have a big season, now would be best for his wallet, and it’d be great for the Broncos looking to fill the pass-rushing hole left behind by Von Miller.
