Initial expectations and projections for Lloyd Cushenberry with the Broncos in 2020

DENVER — In January, Lloyd Cushenberry III became a national champion. In April, the 22-year old became John Elway’s highest-drafted center ever.

Now, he has a chance to add a cherry on top of what has already been a magnificent year by earning the Denver Broncos’ starting center job.

But not all third-round picks turn out to be immediate starters in the NFL. Will Cushenberry?

Here’s what to expect from the former LSU Tiger his rookie season with the Broncos.

Projections for 2020: Starting center for 16 games

Sure, Cushenberry is a rookie. Sure, Cushenberry only learned the center position four years ago by watching YouTube videos. Sure, Cushenberry would be Denver’s youngest offensive lineman.

But none of that matters, at least in terms of him winning Denver’s starting job. Cushenberry will be competing with Patrick Morris and Austin Schlottmann for the job. It shouldn’t be much of a competition.

If Cushenberry doesn’t win the starting job from the beginning, it’ll be a disappointment before the season even starts.

Cushenberry has the ideal size (6-foot-3, 312 pounds), football strength, leadership and football I.Q. to take the job from the get-go. Additionally, LSU’s offensive scheme last year will help Cushenberry in the transition to Pat Shurmur’s offense in Denver.

However, it won’t be all sunshine and rainbows for Cushenberry manning the middle of the line. In 2019, Cushenberry struggled at times in pass protection, allowing interior pressure to Joe Burrow. Fortunately, Drew Lock has similar mobility as Burrow, which will help when Cushenberry has occasional lapses in pass protection.

One thing that won’t happen is Cushenberry won’t be bullied, even by NFL nose tackles. In college, he held his ground extremely well once he got ahold of opposing defensive lineman. With his strength, that should translate well to the NFL.

Overall, Cushenberry will be well worth the occasional rookie mistake as he brings a wealth of talent, knowledge and leadership to the middle of Denver’s offensive line. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be the Broncos’ starting center Week 1.