Here’s how the Broncos’ offensive depth chart looks after the draft

Nearly two weeks removed from the NFL Draft and fewer than two weeks out from the start of Phase 3 of OTAs, the Broncos offense is a work very much in progress. Its construction could also be subject to a complete detour and overhaul if the Green Bay Packers cannot come to an accord with quarterback Aaron Rodgers — and then elect to trade him to Denver, as opposed to letting him walk into retirement, or trading him somewhere else.

For now, though, the Broncos have a plan. They’ll stick with it unless and until circumstances dictate otherwise.

Here’s an early look at how their depth chart could stand.

QUARTERBACK:

• First team: Drew Lock
• 1A: Teddy Bridgewater
• Third team: Brett Rypien

The competition between Lock and Bridgewater is expected to see the two passers share the first-team repetitions on an even, 50-50 basis. One can argue that such a split favors Lock because of his experience in the offense and with the Broncos’ collection of pass catchers. But the arguments in favor of Bridgewater focus on his familiarity with Pat Shurmur’s offense from his time in Minnesota, as well as the fact that taking away snaps from Lock could lead to a similar scenario as the one that befell the young quarterback last year, when he lost first-team snaps that he could have used because OTAs were wiped out by COVID-19.

RUNNING BACK

• First team: Melvin Gordon
• Second team: Javonte Williams
• Third team: Mike Boone
• Fourth team: Royce Freeman
• Fifth team: LeVante Bellamy
• Sixth team: Damarea Crockett

In the late-evening hours of April 30, Fangio was asked about how Gordon and Williams would complement each other. Within a moment, Fangio referred to “our three backs — Boone being one of them.” That would seem to augur poorly for Freeman’s chances as the Broncos head into the meat of their offseason work.

Gordon is the present. Williams is the future. Boone is the dependable No. 3 back who will play extensively on special teams. Where does that leave Freeman? Likely fighting off Bellamy and Crockett for a chance to be inactive each week — if the Broncos end up carrying four running backs on their 53-man roster to begin with.

FULLBACK

• First team: Andrew Beck
• Second team: Adam Prentice

Even with the de-emphasis of the fullback, Beck’s ability to provide tight-end depth as well as his special-teams role gives him a good chance to be on the 53-man roster when the regular season begins. In many ways, Beck is the modern-day version of Patrick Hape, who two decades ago had similar flexibility and stuck with the Broncos for four seasons (2001-05) after filling a similar role with Tampa Bay for the previous four campaigns.

Given Beck’s role on special teams, Prentice will have to flourish in the third phase to succeed. Being a fullback alone simply won’t be enough for a roster spot, given that fullback formations will likely be rare.

TIGHT END

• First team: Noah Fant
• Second team: Eric Saubert
• Third team: Albert Okwuegbunam
• Fourth team: Austin Fort
• Fifth team: Shaun Beyer

Okwuegbunam is not expected to be 100 percent when training camp begins, Paton said on May 1, but should be up to speed not long afterward. Assuming he is healthy, his place in the top three at the position appears set. Saubert brings blocking ability to the room, giving the Broncos the ability to utilize two-tight end formations.

Beyer could be headed for the practice squad if he can show enough this summer. But the wild card is Fort, who has flashed in practice and preseason in the last two summers, but was ultimately felled by knee problems in each of those years. This could be his last chance, and it’s all about health, not skill. He’s a fluid pass catcher with nice route-running ability, and is clearly good enough to stick in the NFL. But as the cliche goes, the best ability is availability.

WIDE RECEIVER

• First team: Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick
• Second team: K.J. Hamler, DaeSean Hamilton, Tyrie Cleveland
• Third team: Diontae Spencer, Seth Williams, Kendall Hinton
• Fourth/fifth team: Trinity Benson, DeVontres Dukes, Warren Jackson, Branden Mack

The deepest position on the offense could lead to some of the most difficult decisions, particularly down the depth chart at wide receiver. If the Broncos carry seven wide receivers — and one of them is Spencer, who is expected to be the team’s primary punt and kickoff returner again this season — then that leaves Hamilton, Cleveland, Williams, Hinton, Benson and the undrafted rookies battling for two spots.

Hinton was forced into emergency service at quarterback in Week 12 last year when the entire QB room was wiped out because of COVID-19 protocols.

OFFENSIVE LINE

• First team: LT Garett Bolles, LG Dalton Risner, C Lloyd Cushenberry, RG Graham Glasgow, RT Calvin Anderson
• Second team: LT/RT Quinn Bailey, G/C Austin Schlottmann, G/C Quinn Meinerz, G Netane Muti, LT/RT Drew Himmelman
• Third team: C/G Patrick Morris, G Nolan Laufenberg

For the moment, the first-team spot at right tackle belongs to Anderson, who acquitted himself reasonably well in two spot starts last season. At minimum, Anderson should stick as a swing backup. The Broncos are scheduled to meet with ex-Titans swing tackle Dennis Kelly and former Cardinals and Bears starter Bobby Massie this week, but unless there is a sudden league-wide stampede to sign tackles, the Broncos could opt to wait and give Anderson a week or two of Phase 3 OTA snaps at right tackle to find out if he’s ready to step into a larger role.

Intrigue floods the interior offensive line, where the Broncos have a steady, proven swing backup in Schlottmann and two fascinating prospects in Muti and Meinerz, both of whom bring an ample dose of brute power to the equation.

“I think competition brings the best out of everybody. We have a good mix of guys, too,” Fangio said. “We have some young guys, some guys in the middle of their career, nobody is old. It will be a good competition, and nothing is better than that.”

If Meinerz can push Cushenberry, center becomes the most likely hot spot for competition to watch during OTAs and training camp.

“We’ll cross-train [Meinerz],” Fangio said the night the Broncos drafted the Wisconsin-Whitewater product. “We’ll start him off somewhere and let him get his feet wet—get grounded. But eventually, we need guys that can play center and guard. As your offseason develops and training camp goes on, you see and feel where those needs are, and if we have to get him to that second position quickly, we will.”