Denver Broncos: Second-year players ready to contribute

PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 16: Troy Fumagalli #81 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs into the end zone untouched for a second half touchdown as the Badgers beat the Brigham Young Cougars 40-6 at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 16: Troy Fumagalli #81 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs into the end zone untouched for a second half touchdown as the Badgers beat the Brigham Young Cougars 40-6 at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Arizona State offensive lineman Sam Jones (L) battles against Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Arizona State offensive lineman Sam Jones (L) battles against Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Sam Jones, OL

The Denver Broncos’ interior offensive line depth could be tested in 2019.

Ron Leary is still recovering from an Achilles injury, though he’s expected to be ready for training camp in July.

Connor McGovern is the team’s starting center and rookie Dalton Risner is expected to come in and start at the left guard position.

Outside of those three guys, the Broncos’ interior line depth is…

Anyone?

Sam Jones, a sixth-round pick out of Arizona State in 2018, has the chance this offseason to establish himself as the Broncos’ top option off the bench at the interior line positions.

He’s certainly got the upside, but after he left Arizona State as a junior last year, it was clear he needed a bit more seasoning.

We’ll see what kind of strides he’s made in year two but Jones — like a number of Broncos linemen — spent the offseason working with Matt McChesney and refining his craft.

If Jones is able to develop into a starting caliber player — and that would be awesome in case Ron Leary is unable to play out the rest of his contract — a lot of credit will go to McChesney for helping develop him along the way.