The Most Intriguing (or Best) Rookie Storylines at Denver Broncos' OTAs

There are currently 22 players listed on the Denver Broncos roster as rookies.

The Broncos have a fairly young roster, and this year there could be a couple of rookies who take on a large (or starting) role for the team. Any large role won’t be handed to them, as these rookies will have to win the job from the veterans they’re competing with.

Other rookies are developmental players who are just trying to make the team or the practice squad. These players might be counted on to do more in case of injury on the depth chart at their position.

The Broncos have a nice collection of draft picks and college free agents who will be trying to make a name for themselves in 2015.

Here are the five most intriguing storylines at Denver Broncos OTAs.

5: Can Max Garcia Fit the Zone-Blocking System?

John Raoux/Associated Press

The Broncos are going to be utilizing a zone-blocking system this season under new offensive coordinator Rick Dennison. During the 2015 NFL draft, the Broncos ended up trading away powerful veteran center Manny Ramirez to the Detroit Lions. Later in the draft, the Broncos added a rookie with a similar skill set to Ramirez in fourth-round pick Max Garcia.

Ramirez would have been an odd fit in the zone-blocking system, so how will Garcia be able to fit in?

Garcia initially began his college career at Maryland, but he ended up transferring to play for the Florida Gators in 2012. He was a 12-game starter at left tackle for the Terrapins in 2011. Garcia sat out the 2012 season due to transfer rules. He then started seven games at left guard and five games at left tackle for the Gators in 2013. In 2014, Garcia was moved to center even though he had zero experience at the position. He started 13 games at center in his final collegiate season.

His versatility is going to be a plus as Garcia makes his way in the pros. His natural skill set is more of a power player who can control his man at the line of scrimmage. Garcia has strong hands and does a good job of keeping defenders away from his frame.

Garcia has a quick first step after the snap, and this helps him generate movement in his opponent. Even though he plays with good balance, Garica is not laterally agile, and he looks out of place when asked to pull or block in space.

The zone-blocking system requires offensive linemen to move well laterally after the snap, and they are often required to be “sticky blockers” at the second level of the defense. Garcia is a tough player with a fantastic work ethic, but it remains to be seen how he’ll perform when more athleticism is needed.

4: Can Darius Kilgo Get Significant Snaps as a Rookie?

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

In the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft, the Broncos snapped up defensive tackle Darius Kilgo out of Maryland. The nose tackle position is a bit up in the air to start training camp. Could Kilgo impress enough during OTAs and training camp to earn significant snaps as a rookie?

At this time, 2013 first-round pick Sylvester Williams is penciled in to be the team’s starting nose tackle. Williams showed flashes of playmaking ability over the last half of his rookie season. However, last year we saw Williams fail to do much of anything on the field. He didn’t snare the quarterback for a sack even one time, and Williams rarely was able to get his man pushed back in one-on-one situations.

Williams will get competition for the job from Kilgo and veteran Marvin Austin. The Broncos added Austin last offseason in a move that went unnoticed by some. The former second-round pick (2011, New York Giants) stayed healthy and worked well for the Broncos last year as a part-time player.

Kilgo has an easier path to significant snaps than some think.

In college at Maryland, Kilgo showed off a stout frame, long arms and strong initial pop after the snap. He’s an aggressive blocker who jars opponents with strength, then relentlessly pushes with his legs until the whistle. Kilgo can stuff the run with ease, and he’ll be a nice fit for the one-gap nose tackle duties under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

The Broncos have a new defensive line coach in Bill Kollar. He was able to transform J.J. Watt into a superstar for the Texans, and now he gets to guide Kilgo. Now, Kilgo is nowhere near the talent that Watt is—but Kollar should be able to improve the rookie’s technique and consistency.

If Williams doesn’t impress and/or Austin doesn’t stay healthy, then Kilgo could be asked to do more. He’s a two-down run-stuffer, and Kilgo could be the big body the team needs in the middle of the defensive line.

3: Which UDFA Makes the Final Roster?

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

For 11 years in a row, the Broncos have found one undrafted free agent capable of making the final roster out of training camp. That mark is tied for the third-longest active streak in the NFL. Overall, 15 rookie college free agents have made the Broncos’ active roster out of camp since 2004.

Can the Broncos keep this streak alive with the crop of college free agents they’ve added this offseason?

The player with arguably the best chance to make the Broncos final roster from the college free-agent ranks is Nebraska linebacker Zaire Anderson.

During his college career, Anderson was known as a player who could fly around the field and make plays. He is a disciplined linebacker who does a good job of diagnosing plays as they unfold in front of him. Anderson is a sound tackler as a run defender even though he’s not a take-on tackler.

Anderson’s athleticism allows him to stay with tight ends in coverage. His size (5’11”, 228 pounds) can be held against him because he lacks ideal length for the position. Anderson also needs to avoid larger offensive linemen on his way to the quarterback or the ball-carrier.

He’s a smart and hardworking player who could take training camp by storm. The Broncos have a ton of linebackers on the roster already, so Anderson will need to really stand out if he wants to make a big enough impression to make the 53-man roster.

2: How Does Shane Ray Fit In?

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

The Broncos moved up in the first round for the first time ever under the watch of general manager John Elway. The reason they did that was because pass-rusher Shane Ray fell within striking distance.

Ray arguably had top-10 talent but fell to the 23rd-overall pick in the first round. Part of the reason he fell was a citation for marijuana possession he had the Monday before the draft. The Broncos had done enough research on Ray to feel comfortable adding him to the roster—and paying an extra price to do so.

This season, Ray will be asked to learn behind two of the best in the game. Outside linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware will be unleashed this season under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. The new 3-4 defense employed by the Broncos this year should be much more aggressive and blitz more often than what they did under former coordinator Jack Del Rio.

Miller could snare 15-20 sacks this year in this scheme. Ware could be counted on for 10-15 sacks this season too if he stays fresh. Last year, Ware had 10.5 sacks in his first season with the Broncos. However, only two of those sacks came in the last eight games of the season.

Ray could help keep Ware fresh as a part-time pass-rusher.

In college at Missouri, Ray showed a deadly first step and incredible snap anticipation. He’s an alpha male who plays with a relentless motor. This helps him get around blockers and to the quarterback in a hurry. Ray can take this skill set and his read/react quickness and immediately make an impact as a pro.

Ray should fit in as a part-time player, but his impact could be felt early and often. Not only is it Ray’s own ability, but it’s his impact on both Miller and Ware staying fresh. There might even be some schemes where all three are on the field at the same time.

How should Ray fit in? Any way he possibly can.

1: Is Ty Sambrailo the Best Option at Right Tackle?

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

There is a need at right tackle, and that’s why the Broncos selected Colorado State’s Ty Sambrailo in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.

He could be considered the front-runner for the starting job, but is Sambrailo the best option at right tackle?

Veteran Chris Clark began last season as the starter at right tackle, but he was eventually replaced as the Broncos shuffled their offensive line to find the best combination—and that didn’t include Clark. This year, the Broncos are going to utilize a zone-blocking system and that may be a better fit for Clark’s finesse style.

Last year, the Broncos added right tackle Michael Schofield in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. He made the final roster as a rookie, but Schofield was inactive for every game as a rookie. During practice, Schofield struggled in pass-protection. Schofield also fought weight issues as he struggled to maintain his size.

Earlier this month at veteran minicamp, Schofield did look bigger and stronger. His upper body looked larger, but he didn’t seem stiff when moving in drills. We’ll see if he can be the strongest competition for Sambrailo in the battle for the starting right tackle job.

Sambrailo has good lateral agility after the snap, and that helped him greatly as a left tackle for the Rams. As a pro, Sambrailo will have to flip his footwork as he’ll be playing on the right side. The Rams use a zone-blocking system, so that experience should help Sambrailo make the transition to the pros.

He can play through pain, and Sambrailo is known as an aggressive player on the field. Sambrailo plays with a lot of emotion, and he will fight his opponent to the echo of the whistle.

The Broncos wanted more attitude up front, as they’re likely to run a lot more this season. Sambrailo brings that nastiness and athleticism to the field on every snap. He may be the best option at right tackle, but he’ll have to prove himself in OTAs and training camp.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.