Broncos’ Reunion: Sean Payton Brings in Another Familiar Face – Calvin Throckmoton
Sean Payton is bringing in another of his former New Orleans charges, according to 9News’ Mike Klis, who reports that offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton will join the Broncos.
Despite Chris Manhertz’s departure this summer, the Broncos re-signed Wil Lutz, Adam Trautman, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey last month.
The team also signed former Saints defensive tackle Malcolm Roach.
Throckmorton practiced against Roach for two seasons before joining the Panthers and Titans for the 2023 season.
Calvin Throckmorton’s Moves: Panthers, Titans, Broncos
Last year, the Panthers dismissed Throckmorton after he had made seven starts for a club that had lost guard starter Brady Christensen in Week 1 and Austin Corbett was sidelined until late October.
After suffering a lot of injuries up front, the Titans signed Throckmorton and used him as a backup in six games.
The Titans extended an offer to Throckmorton, but he chose to join Payton (and former offensive line coach Zach Strief) in Denver.
Throckmorton, 27, started 14 games for the Saints during Payton’s final season in New Orleans (2021).
He has virtually entirely played guard in the pros. During the 2021 season in New Orleans, the 2020 UDFA played 626 minutes at left guard and 282 at right guard.
The Saints lost Andrus Peat to a torn pectoral muscle midway through the season and also played five games without center Erik McCoy. Throckmorton added six starts in 2022.
Throckmorton’s New Opportunity
Throughout his career, Pro Football Focus has rated Throckmorton as a low-quality guard. However, the Oregon product is clearly familiar with Payton and Strief.
Last season, the Broncos had a healthy offensive line, with starting guards Quinn Meinerz and Ben Powers starting the entire time.
Both are still under contract, but Throckmorton will join the team as an inside swingman.
Peart is tentatively in place as the team’s swing tackle, according to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, with a one-year contract worth $1.3 million ($368K guaranteed).
The team’s loss of center Lloyd Cushenberry (to the Titans) in free agency could result in one of the 2023 backups — 2023 seventh-rounder Alex Forsyth or 2022 fifth-rounder Luke Wattenberg — entering the lineup, though the organization could also make a higher-level investment at the position.
One of the holdovers entering the lineup would free up an interior backup position.
Throckmorton’s 27 career starts, combined with his experience with the Broncos’ offensive system, would enhance his chances of making the 53-man roster.
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