For a team with a championship window soon to close, the pressure to fill holes on the roster increases exponentially. The Denver Broncos, headed by 39-year-old quarterback Peyton Manning, find themselves in just such a predicament.
2015 NFL depth charts: Broncos must keep Peyton Manning upright, find new tight end
If Denver can’t keep Manning on his feet or figure out who his tight end will be, the team could be in some serious trouble.
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Given Manning's age and movement limitations, keeping him upright and comfortable in the pocket is paramount to the team's Super Bowl aspirations. The Broncos lost Orlando Franklin and traded away Manny Ramirez, two starters from last year's offensive line. How well the team replaces those players could factor greatly into Manning's performance this season.
The tight end position will also factor into how well Manning plays this season. Denver lost Pro Bowler Julius Thomas in free agency earlier this offseason and needs to settle on a replacement. While a decline at the position is expected, Manning has always operated best with a reliable, big-bodied pass catcher working the middle of the field.
Here are the position battles to watch during training camp:
Offensive line
It’s never a good sign when 40 percent of a team’s starting offensive line departs in an offseason, but somehow the Broncos must overcome the losses during training camp and the preseason. Not only must the team find a way to replace its best interior blocker in Franklin, but Manning also must now adjust to a new center.
Denver took a proactive approach to replace Ramirez. First, the team sent 2016 draft-pick consideration for Baltimore Ravens center Gino Gradkowski. Though not overly successful in Baltimore, Gradkowski offers experience and, at worst, quality depth at all three interior positions on the offensive line. In the interest of creating quality competition, the Broncos also drafted Florida's Max Garcia. The two will battle for the starting center position through the preseason.
Left guard remains more of a question mark. Jon Halapio spent the end of the 2014 season on Denver's practice squad and the team signed Shelley Smith in free agency. Neither has started a game thus far in their NFL careers. Second-round pick Ty Sambrailo has the size and skill to eventually start at left tackle, but it's possible that the Broncos shift him inside to guard in the interim.
Tight end
Before the 2015 NFL Draft concluded, it appeared the Broncos had settled on their replacement for the departed Thomas. The team invested a third-round pick into Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman, a 6'5 do-it-all tight end who some scouts believed was the most NFL-ready prospect at his position. However, a torn ACL during rookie minicamp has pushed Heuerman's debut until 2016.
With Heuerman on the shelf, the Broncos find themselves back at square one at tight end. The most attractive option might be Virgil Green, an athletic but inconsistent receiver whose blocking has never been a strength. The team could also turn to Owen Daniels, a free agent who has played most of his career under head coach Gary Kubiak.
See More:
