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Denver Broncos: Undrafted rookie spotlight on Nolan Laufenberg

By Travis Wakeman

Oct 6, 2018; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Navy Midshipmen defensive end Anthony Villalobos (95) and defensive end Jarvis Polu (90) attempt to block a kick as Air Force Falcons offensive lineman Nolan Laufenberg (66) and offensive lineman Griffin Landrum (74) defend in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2018; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Navy Midshipmen defensive end Anthony Villalobos (95) and defensive end Jarvis Polu (90) attempt to block a kick as Air Force Falcons offensive lineman Nolan Laufenberg (66) and offensive lineman Griffin Landrum (74) defend in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Following the 2021 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos signed offensive lineman Nolan Laufenberg as an undrafted free agent.

This signing has likely gone completely unnoticed, but Laufenberg is the kind of player who could really make an impact down the road. In college, he was part of one of the best offensive lines in the country and he brings some exciting physical traits to the next level.

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 312

School: Air Force

Laufenberg is not going to be the biggest guy, but he is quite athletic for a man his size and in high school, was a three-sport athlete, also competing in baseball and basketball. He projects best as a guard in the NFL and can bring his experience from the Air Force Academy, where the Falcons are annually a rushing machine, to the Broncos.

There is plenty for Laufenberg to work on and be coached up on, including the high pad level you see him play with as well as his down-field blocking, but as a student coming out of one of the military academies, he has the kinds of traits you would expect to see, such as a high football I.Q. as well as a strong work ethic.

Laufenberg will be a willing participant this summer who is highly coachable. He has much to learn, but he has the athleticism and the type of NFL frame that works in today’s NFL. Smaller and quicker offensive linemen have kind of taken over from the massive kind of linemen of the past in many offensive schemes.

Laufenberg will also be an easy guy for fans to root for, as he grew up in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Chances of making final roster (1-10 scale): 3

Laufenberg will likely be used at guard by the Broncos and because of the names ahead of him on the depth chart, he will have an uphill climb to make the roster.

Graham Glasgow and Dalton Risner are the starters while Netane Muti and Austin Schlottmann are on the roster as backups. Both third-round pick Quinn Meinerz and Patrick Morris can each play either guard or center and at least at the beginning of camp, Laufenberg will be behind all of them.

But that is no reason to hang his head. Of the 11 undrafted free agents that the Broncos signed, I see Laufenberg as one of the better future prospects and I would consider him to have a high chance of making the team’s practice squad.

Next. 5 Broncos with the most to prove in 2021. dark

The Broncos do have good depth at the guard spot, but Laufenberg is absolutely a guy who has some future potential.

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