Summary

Luke Wattenberg was selected in Round 5 (#171 Overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Washington. A multi-year starter at center for the Huskies, Wattenberg was known more for intelligence, toughness, and consistency than raw power or flash. At Washington, he started 40+ collegiate games, served as a team captain, and earned Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors, anchoring protections and making line calls in a pro-style offense. In the NFL, Wattenberg has developed into a versatile interior offensive lineman, seeing action at center and guard while contributing as a spot starter and rotational piece. Through the 2024 season, he has appeared in 30+ NFL games, including multiple starts, which he has recently parlayed into a four-year, $48 million contract extension in November 2025. Wattenberg is widely regarded as a high-character, intelligent, and dependable professional, praised for preparation habits, toughness, football IQ, and willingness to play through contact. Coaches consistently cite his communication skills and team-first mindset as valuable assets in the offensive line room.

Strengths

• Computer: Strong understanding of protections, fronts, and line calls. Experience at center and guard increases lineup flexibility.

• Communication: Effective at setting protections and identifying blitzes. Assignment-sound with a low mental-error rate.

• Cobra Hands: Strikes with sudden hands and long arms for a center that he uses to gain advantageous angles versus interior rushers.

• Reacher: Plays with good pad level and body control. Functional movement skills for zone concepts and reach blocks.

Weaknesses

• Play Strength: Can be overpowered by elite nose tackles. Needs help at times against power interior rushers.

• Run-Game Displacement: More positional than forceful as a run blocker. Plays the angle game and not a driver past the initial pop.

• Ceiling: Profiles more as a reliable contributor than high-upside starter.

• Weak Link: While he can be considered the “glue” of the offensive line due to his communication and pre-snap duties, probably the least talented started of the Broncos’ five.

Outlook

Wattenberg is a strong fit for structured, communication-heavy offensive systems that value intelligence, consistency, and versatility along the interior offensive line. In Denver, he profiles best as a starting center who can step in without disrupting protection schemes, particularly in zone-based and play-action offenses. His ability to handle line calls and adjust protections makes him especially valuable when paired with young quarterbacks or shuffled line combinations. An extremely underrated player, Wattenberg’s physical limitations may cap elite upside, but his intelligence, toughness, and reliability give him long-term roster value. For the Broncos, Wattenberg provides stability, professionalism, and flexibility, making him a trusted contributor who helps maintain offensive continuity even when injuries or lineup changes occur.