Denver Broncos: Early Rookie Progress Reports

The Denver Broncos have an interesting group of rookies they added earlier this year in the 2015 NFL draft and through college free agency after the draft. This class of rookies could play a larger role on both sides of the ball than some people think.

They have early-round rookies who could earn starting roles with the team in 2015. The Broncos also have some mid-to-late-round picks who could begin their pro careers as valuable role players. They might even be asked to do more depending on what happens above them on the depth chart.

Here’s an early progress report on some of the top rookies on the Broncos roster.

Trevor Siemian's Timetable

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In the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft, the Broncos added developmental quarterback Trevor Siemian out of Northwestern. Head coach Gary Kubiak’s system works best with a quarterback who can keep plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield. Siemian is rough around the edges, but a positive trait to his skill set is his scrambling ability.

Siemian tore his ACL last November and has been furiously recovering since then. At the team’s rookie minicamp earlier this month, Siemian was limited in what he could do.

Kubiak likes what he’s seen so far from the seventh-round pick, even though he can’t yet fully participate in practice.

“He wants to do more, but we knew kind of the plan ‘Greek’ (head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos) wanted him on. He’ll do individual stuff. He’ll do some seven-on-seven. He’s impressive. He can throw it just like what we knew we were getting.” Kubiak continued, “We’ve got to get him totally healthy. Training camp will be that date. As far as the rest of the OTAs, he’ll probably continue to do what he did today.”

In addition to recovering from a knee injury, the rookie quarterback has a large task of learning the Broncos playbook.

“It’s a bit different. We were spread, no-huddle, but at the same time, you’ve got to understand basic football principles and concepts and I think Northwestern did a great job preparing me for that," Siemian said. "It’s different terminology so it’s going to take some time and work for sure. That’s where I’m at right now.”

Siemian has a lot of work to do in order to make the final roster—or even the practice squad. We’ll see if he’s ready for training camp so he can compete with Zac Dysert for the third-string job.

Kilgo Learning from Kollar

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The nose tackle position is a bit of a question mark at this time. Sylvester Williams, a 2013 first-round pick, should be the starter to begin the season, but can he hold onto the job? Behind Williams, guys like Marvin Austin and rookie sixth-round pick Darius Kilgo will be competing for playing time.

Coming out of Maryland, Kilgo is a mountain of a man who can naturally take up space and take on double-teams. He’s not going to get much push as an interior pass-rusher, but Kilgo is a two-down run-stuffer who can control the middle of the line.

He lacks polish to his game, and Kilgo is somewhat of a raw prospect. He’ll be coached by new defensive line coach Bill Kollar. The Broncos brought Kollar on board to help teach and motivate the team's defensive linemen. He’s been an assistant coach in the NFL for more than 25 years, and Kollar has been able to get the best out of guys like J.J. Watt from his time with the Houston Texans.

Kilgo explained some of the main things Kollar is teaching him at this time.

“Just technique things. He really puts the emphasis on being technicians, being really physical defensive linemen up front," Kilgo said. "He’s taught me a lot in the past day and I’m really taking it all in.”

If he makes the final roster, Kilgo will likely get on the field sparingly as a part-time nose tackle. He can work as part of a rotation, but if Williams or Austin struggle, then Kilgo might be in for a larger role.

Garcia Getting Used to Higher Tempo

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The Broncos don’t have a clear-cut starting center at this time. Both of last year’s starting centers, Will Montgomery and Manny Ramirez, are both with other teams in 2015. This leaves the Broncos with a question mark at the position.

Last year, they selected Matt Paradis in the sixth round out of Boise State. He didn’t make the final roster as a rookie, but Paradis did get to further develop his game on the practice squad. Paradis is an unknown at this time, but he will be in the mix for the starting center position.

Earlier this year, the Broncos made a trade with the Baltimore Ravens to acquire center Gino Gradkowski. He started every game for the Ravens in 2013, but he was replaced by Jeremy Zuttah last year and barley saw the field in 2014. Gradkowski has the most experience of anyone up the for the center job, but he’s no lock to be the starter.

In the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft, the Broncos added Florida Gators (and former Maryland Terrapins) center Max Garcia.

He’s a powerful player who can control his man at the point of the play. Garcia has a strong lower body and is difficult to move when his feet are planted. He’s not the most laterally agile player, but his work ethic, tenacity and strength make him an option to start at center in 2015.

One thing stood out to Garcia in rookie minicamp more than others.

“Just the tempo. We were out there moving really fast," Garcia said. "I haven’t practiced like that in a long time, probably since my true sophomore year at Maryland. So we got after it pretty well. And we were just taking reps, every other rep.”

Garcia continued, “So it was definitely hard and I could definitely feel the elevation. It’s different. Not being in the humidity—I don’t know which one is worse: Having no air or having all the moisture in the air. I don’t know which one is worse right now. But I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”

His skill set is a bit reminiscent of Ramirez, and it will be interesting to see if he can make a case to be a starter in 2015.

Ty Sambrailo Has Advantages

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The Broncos have to rework the offensive line for 2015. They’ll be moving Louis Vasquez back inside to his more natural position of right guard, and that makes right tackle arguably the biggest question mark on the entire roster.

That’s why the Broncos added Colorado State offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.

Sambrailo was a left tackle for the Rams, but he worked in the zone-blocking system and shows good lateral movement after the snap. He’s a hard-working player who can mirror a pass-rusher's moves on the edge. Sambrailo plays with a nasty attitude, and this helps him as a run-blocker.

Veteran guard Ben Garland believes Sambrailo’s experience in a pro-style offense will help him greatly as a pro.

“Huge advantages. You have the support systems. You already know the plays. You’re comfortable with the city. You have friends that are probably close by and coaches that you can talk to.” Garland concluded, “There are a lot of advantages to being a Colorado guy who went to college here.”

Sambrailo doesn’t seem too concerned about any potential learning curve.

“I don’t think it will be too bad. A lot of it’s the same stuff that we ran up at CSU, a lot of outside zone. So it’s a lot of the same technique and ideas, it’s just different verbiage," Sambrailo explained. So I think kind of learning the new language will take a little bit, but once that kicks in, it’ll be pretty easy.”

At this time, Sambrailo can be considered the front-runner for the starting right tackle position. In training camp, he’ll have to prove that he’s better than guys like second-year pro Michael Schofield and veteran Chris Clark.

Shane Ray to Be Eased Back

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The Broncos moved up in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft so they could acquire pass-rusher Shane Ray. He’ll begin his pro career as a rotational player behind Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, but his skill set will be vital when continued pressure is needed while Miller and/or Ware need a breather.

Ray is not 100 percent healthy at this time. This offseason, Ray has been dealing with a turf toe injury that has lingered for some time. The injury did not need surgery, so Ray has been recovering with rest and rehabilitation.

The Broncos are going to ease Ray back into the lineup. The hope is that he’ll be near full strength by the start of training camp.

Especially after losing rookie tight end Jeff Heuerman to a season-ending knee injury, Kubiak plans to be cautious with Ray.

“What we’re doing is kind of an evaluation period right now. I had our doctors look at the foot and where it’s at. He’s been working and wants to work, but we wanted to take this weekend to kind of put our plan together exactly how we want to proceed forward," Kubiak explained. "There are some orthotics involved and those types of things. He will not work. He could, but he will not work.”

Ray knows that taking it easy is what he needs to do right now, and patience is called for in this recovery.

“I understand it’s definitely part of the process for me to be 100 percent, because that’s the goal. Me as a competitor, of course I would like to be out there and competing and doing what I can, but this is something I have to be smart with and take the proper direction under the medical staff.” Ray emphasized, “Hopefully I’ll be ready to go whenever they feel like it’s that time.”

Ray has star potential in the NFL. Keeping Miller and Ware fresh will give the Broncos one of the fiercest pass-rushing trios in the entire NFL.

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.