Backup Guards
Max Garcia
Max Garcia will compete for one of the starting guard positions, likely right guard this time around. If he can’t cut it, it doesn’t seem likely the Broncos will put him back on the left side and move Leary back to the right side. That experiment seems to be over and done with.
Garcia has had his share of struggles in Denver, especially in pass protection. Playing next to the rookie Bolles in 2017 was a disastrous combination for the Broncos, as those two players were among the team’s leaders in penalties.
Garcia is going to have to make himself irreplaceable this offseason at right guard if he’s going to play. He may be a trade candidate for the Broncos as well.
Billy Turner
The Broncos re-signed Turner to a one-year, $2 million contract this offseason. The former third-round pick of the Miami Dolphins has struggled with injuries throughout this career, but the Broncos like what he brings to the table as a player that can play both tackle and guard.
He’ll compete with McGovern and Garcia to start at right guard this offseason.
Sam Jones
The Broncos picked Sam Jones in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft, and while he’s young, he’s got starting potential.
He trained prior to the 2018 NFL Draft just down the road from the Broncos’ facilities and as a local prospect, his being drafted generated plenty of hype in Broncos Country.
The Broncos may look to redshirt Jones this year if possible.
Jeremiah Poutasi
One of seemingly a million former Utah players on the Broncos’ roster, Poutasi was once a very high draft pick of the Tennessee Titans.
He’s bounced around the league a bit but is still a young player with upside and I like that the Broncos decided to take a risk on bringing him in as a reserve/future contract player.
If he can live up to his potential, he could be a steal for this team.