Offensive Line
2015 roster: Ty Sambrailo, Michael Schofield, Evan Mathis, Max Garcia, Matt Paradis, James Ferentz, Louis Vasquez, Shelley Smith, Ryan Harris.
2018 offseason roster: Matt Paradis, JJ Dielman, Max Garcia, Sam Jones (R), Ron Leary, Connor McGovern, Austin Schlottmann, Billy Turner, Garett Bolles, Leon Johnson, Andreas Knappe, Cyrus Kouandijio, Jared Veldheer, Menelik Watson, Elijah Wilkinson.
When comparing the offensive line from 2015 to the one in 2017, the numbers are staggering. Specifically, the number of sacks given up.
The Broncos’ offensive line has been pretty poor for a number of years now. In 2015, the line gave up 21 total sacks in 16 regular season games. Most of those sacks (10 to be exact) were against tackle Michael Schofield.
Last season, the Denver Broncos’ offensive line gave up 32 sacks, which is equal to two per game. Garett Bolles, a rookie last season, and Menelik Watson, gave up eight sacks apiece.
It remains to be seen what the 2018 offensive line roster will look like, but there are certain players who will be back. Center Matt Paradis, regarded as the team’s best offensive lineman, will be back. So will second-year tackle Garett Bolles and tackle Menelik Watson. Paradis and Bolles are going to be starters. Newly acquired tackle Jared Veldheer will compete for the starting right tackle spot.
That leaves the two guard positions. It will be an interesting battle in training camp to see who the team places into those two remaining roles.
Allen Barbre, acquired last season from the Philadelphia Eagles, could be somebody the Denver Broncos decide to bring back for another season, though no discussions have been made about the transaction.