Report: Broncos C Lloyd Cushenberry III Signs With Titans

Cushenberry was Denver's third-round pick in 2020 out of LSU. He was earmarked to start on day one, and that's what he did, providing the Broncos with a reliable option at center. 

It wasn't always great, but Cushenberry could be counted on to suit up and be available on gameday. Some stretches of his four-year tenure in Denver were better than others, but his play over the first three seasons was mostly at a replacement level. 

However, as players often do, Cushenberry turned a corner in 2023 — a contract year. He was always a solid run blocker, but he improved dramatically as a pass blocker in Year 4, finishing as a top-10-graded center according to Pro Football Focus.  

Cushenberry's football IQ and leadership will be missed. But the Broncos, over the past two years, preemptively drafted two centers as a hedge against losing Cushenberry in free agency. 

Luke Wattenberg was a 2022 sixth-round pick, while Alex Forsyth was a seventh-rounder last year. Although the former has a little more tenure, Forsyth has to be considered the leader in the clubhouse to succeed Cushenberry as the Broncos' starting center. 

After all, Forsyth was not only a Sean Payton draft pick, but the Broncos head coach also gushed about him as a player with starter potential. Wattenberg and Forsyth will compete in training camp, and it's possible the Broncos draft another candidate.