Here’s how the Broncos’ offensive depth chart projects to look after the draft

DENVER — John Elway set out this offseason to make the Broncos’ offense more explosive and dangerous.

On paper, he did just that by signing a Pro Bowl running back, drafting an All-American receiver and selecting one of the fastest wideouts in the draft. With all of the new additions, including key pickups on the offensive line, the Broncos will have many new faces in the starting lineup.

Here’s how the Broncos’ offensive depth chart shakes out with all of their rookies after the draft.

QUARTERBACK

First-string: Drew Lock

Second-string: Jeff Driskel

Additional players (in order): Brett Rypien, Riley Neal

This one is easy. Thankfully. Drew Lock will get the entire year to prove he’s the guy. There will be no quarterback competition. Drew’s the guy. Hallelujah.

RUNNING BACK

First-string: Melvin Gordon

Second-string: Phillip Lindsay

Third-string: Royce Freeman

Additional players (in order): Khalfani Muhammad, LeVante Bellamy, Jeremy Cox

The Broncos didn’t pay Melvin Gordon $8 million per year to be the backup. Unless he falls on his face, Gordon will get the slight nod over the Colorado native. However, Phillip Lindsay and Gordon will be more of a 1A-1B punch instead of Lindsay filling a true backup role.

After the top two, there’s a massive drop-off. Royce Freeman was the biggest loser when Denver signed Gordon and will be competing with Khalfani Muhammad and LeVante Bellamy for not only rare playing time, but for a roster spot.

FULLBACK

First-string: Andrew Beck

After shipping Andy Janovich to the Browns for a seventh-round pick, Andrew Beck is the last fullback standing in the Mile High City. However, in Pat Shurmur’s offense, there won’t be a use for a full-time fullback. If Beck wants to make the team, he’ll need to prove he can add value to the tight end room too. Fortunately for the second-year player, he showed great promise last year with his versatility.

WIDE RECEIVER

First-string: Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler

Second-string: DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick, Diontae Spencer

Third-string: Juwann Winfree, Tyrie Cleveland, Fred Brown

Additional players (in order): Trinity Benson, Kelvin McKnight, Kendal Hinton, Zimari Manning

Elway didn’t use his first two draft picks this year to have them sit on the bench. Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler will instantly be the team’s No. 2 and No. 3 receivers as rookies, providing much-needed weapons to Denver’s offense.

Diontae Spencer’s roster spot will be dependent on special teams. Outside of that, DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick and the rest of the receivers will be fighting for backup roles as well as three to four roster spots, with Hamilton leading the way entering the season.

TIGHT END

First-string: Noah Fant

Second-string: Nick Vannett

Third-string: Albert Okwuegbunam

Additional players (in order): Jeff Heuerman, Troy Fumagalli, Jake Butt, Austin Fort

This has been a rough offseason for all of the Broncos’ 2019 tight ends outside of Noah Fant. In fact, it appears Nick Vannett is a natural replacement for Jeff Heuerman and Denver’s fourth-round pick, Albert Okwuegbunam — one of Drew Lock’s favorite targets at Missouri — fills the receiving threat they hoped Jake Butt and Troy Fumagalli would bring.

TACKLE

First-string: Garett Bolles (left), Ja’Wuan James (right)

Second-string: Elijah Wilkinson

Third-string: Jake Rodgers, Calvin Anderson

Additional players (in order): Quinn Bailey, Hunter Watts

This is not a fun place on the depth chart, beginning with the starters. After the draft, Elway stated “we have to get better” at the tackle position. Yet, Denver enters 2020 with the same starters as they had entering 2019.

The hope is for Ja’Wuan James to play an entire season on the right side. At left tackle, Garett Bolles and Elijah Wilkinson will be in an open competition for the left tackle spot. Regardless of who wins that, they’ll have to earn the Broncos’ confidence with their play.

Looking past those three, it’s clear depth is a serious issue.

GUARD

First-string: Dalton Risner (left), Graham Glasgow (right)

Second-string: Nico Falah, Netane Muti

Third-string: Austin Schlottmann, Tyler Jones

While Denver’s tackles are shaky, Mike Munchak’s guards are the complete opposite. With Dalton Risner and Graham Glasgow holding down the trenches, the Broncos have the opportunity to have one of the best guard duos in the league.

On top of that, the addition of Netane Muti in the sixth round of the draft gives Denver a very talented prospect to develop behind Risner and Glasgow.

CENTER

First-string: Lloyd Cushenberry III

Second-string: Patrick Morris

Third-string: Austin Schlottmann

Lloyd Cushenberry III learned the center position just four years ago by watching YouTube videos. Less than half a decade after playing the position for the first time, he’ll be the Denver Broncos’ starting center learning from one of the best offensive line coaches of all time.

Sorry Patrick Morris and Austin Schlottmann, but Denver’s third-round pick will be the starter.