How the Denver Broncos identify athletes for every position
OT (7) — Garett Bolles, Jared Veldheer, Menelik Watson, Elijah Wilkinson, Cyrus Kouandjio, Andreas Knappe, Leon Johnson
Ht: 6-6.5
Wt: 316
10: 1.80
Bench: 23 (no data for G.Bolles – Pec)
20-yard shuttle: 4.77
OG (7) — Ron Leary, Connor McGovern, Sam Jones, Max Garcia, Austin Schlottmann, Billy Turner, Jeremiah Poutasi
Ht: 6-4.5
Wt: 312
10: 1.82
Bench: 29
20-yard shuttle: 4.84
C (2) — Matt Paradis, J.J. Dielman
Ht: 6-4
Wt: 300
10: 1.80
Bench: 25
20-yard shuttle: 4.46 (Paradis; no data for Dielman)
The offensive linemen were split into three groups, though looking at the guard and center positions, they could have been lumped into two.
The tackle position for the Broncos is very intriguing, as projected starters Garett Bolles and Jared Veldheer were among the best performers athletically in their respective draft classes. Behind them, however, the Broncos’ athletic profile at tackle is below average or worse in every major category.
Menelik Watson and Cyrus Kouandjio posted athletic numbers that could have pushed their draft stock down even further than they ended up falling (both were picked in the second round after being projected by some as first round picks).
The Broncos have more high-quality athletes at the guard/center position, where no one really stands out as a ‘poor’ performer when it comes to measurable qualities. The only player who might be a bit of an outlier on the interior offensive line is guard Jeremiah Poutasi, known for his bludgeoning, physical style.
Pound for pound, the rest of the interior players are very solid, strong athletes. Even with the slightest differences in size and athleticism, you can see the Broncos value a little more length and quickness at tackle, and more strength and girth on the interior.
That is probably par for the course league-wide.