Evaluating the Denver Broncos: Offensive Line

In the next installment of the evaluation series, we take a look at the Denver Broncos offensive line ahead of training camp. Can they rebound from an off season in 2016?

If there is one position for the Denver Broncos that really struggled for the most of the 2015 season, without any doubt it was the offensive line. Of course, there was not a lot that could be done with some key players forced to miss the season with injuries.

Now that the offense will be shifting more towards the zone blocking scheme, this offensive line is going to have to really step up their game if the Broncos will be looking to go back-to-back this season. It is possible if the offensive line can gel really well.

Last year, we saw Ryan Clady tear his ACL early in the offseason workouts and was forced to miss the year. He would be replaced by Ty Sambrailo, the Broncos second round draft pick that year. However, Sambrailo got hurt in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions and was on his way back, but a setback forced him to miss 2015 as well.

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Evan Mathis was brought in during training camp and won the job at left guard. He did split time with Max Garcia and that position did pretty well.

Matt Paradis was perhaps the best member of the offensive line. After a 2014 season that saw him placed on the practice squad, Paradis worked hard and was able to secure a spot on the final roster. And he made sure he did not lose that spot. I was really impressed with his performance this past season.

For the first time since coming to Denver, Louis Vasquez had a difficult time on the offensive line. After a Pro Bowl season in 2013 with the Broncos, Vasquez could not get a rhythm going in the new scheme. Sadly, it led to him getting cut shortly before free agency began this offseason.

Ryan Harris started out the season as the starting right tackle, but moved to the left side when Sambrailo was hurt. Replacing Harris was Michael Schofield. And man, were there games that he got beat left and right. Especially Week 14 against the Oakland Raiders. Schofield did improve in the playoffs, but his regular season was mostly one to forget.

So, what will the new offensive line look like in 2016? Let us take a look at the players who will be asked to defend the quarterback and create lanes for the running backs this season.

For this, I have grouped them by position instead of individually.

Next: Offensive Tackle