Is Ty Sambrailo Ready to Start at Left Tackle for Denver Broncos in 2015?

The Denver Broncos had a change of plans last week in OTAs. When All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady went down with a season-ending knee injury, the Broncos had to make alterations up front. The line already had huge question marks at three of the five positions (left guard, center, right tackle), and now there is a hole at arguably the most important spot on the line.

Now, 2015 second-round pick Ty Sambrailo (Colorado State) could be starting as the blindside protector for Peyton Manning this season. Originally thought of as a possible starter at right tackle, Sambrailo will face a greater challenge on the left side.

Head coach Gary Kubiak revealed what the new plan for the Broncos is on the offensive line.

“I think the thought right now is to leave Chris [Clark] on the right side," Kubiak said. "They’re going to move around. Those guys have to play everywhere. We actually practiced Ty [Sambrailo] on the left today. Ty is a very athletic young man; that’s a lot to ask of a very young player.”

Is Sambrailo ready to start at left tackle for the Broncos in 2015? Let’s take a look.

The Skill Set

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Sambrailo has good lateral agility after the snap. He does a nice job of quickly getting into his stance, and he has a wide (but not too wide) base when readying for contact from defenders. Sambrailo has the ability to mirror pass-rushers who try to get around him on the outside.

He has the functional strength to stand strong against bull-rushers. Sambrailo will properly use his hands to keep defenders at bay while he redirects them where he wants them to go.

Sambrailo is a smart player who does a good job of identifying stunts or twists coming from the defensive line. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and loves to dominate his opponent. Sambrailo will regularly fight until the echo of the whistle.

The Zone-Blocking System

There’s a big reason why the Broncos added Sambrailo in the 2015 NFL draft—he’s a perfect fit for the zone-blocking system. Sambrailo played in the zone-blocking system during his time in college, and he understands the footwork needed to properly function at the tackle position.

Kubiak likes that Sambrailo played left tackle for most of his college career with the Rams.

“He’s played both [left and right tackle]," Kubiak said. "Their system that they ran had the quick side and the strong side. So he’s done both and he’s very bright, and I think I’ve said to you guys many times he’s going to be a quick study from a football standpoint and a knowledge standpoint, and that’s been evident.

"He’s not a rookie anymore. Today he’s about a four-year player, so we’ve got to get him going.”

This system requires the offensive linemen to be laterally agile and capable of being “sticky blockers” when tasked with blocking a player at the second level of the defense. Sambrailo can block on the move, and he does a good job of eliminating his man from the play.

The Responsibility

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The biggest responsibility for a left tackle with the Broncos is to protect the blind side of future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. The Broncos are a Super Bowl contender with Manning, but they would struggle to make the playoffs without him.

The offense will be featuring a lot of formations where Manning is working from under center in 2015. This means there won’t be the same amount of distance between Manning and defenders looking to take him down. Add in the fact that Manning is not exactly fleet afoot, and it means even more pressure for all the offensive linemen tasked with protecting him.

Sambrailo is ready for the increased responsibility that comes with playing on the left side.

“I had high expectations coming in for myself," Sambrailo said. "I expected to compete for a spot and hopefully get on the field early. It’s unfortunate what happened to Ryan [Clady]. Nothing has really changed. We still have to go out and earn a spot. Our hearts are hurting for him, but young guys have to step up. I think we’ll be all right.”

Things to Prove

Cathleen Allison/Associated Press

Arguably the greatest concern with Sambrailo is his ability when taking on the best edge-rushers in the NFL. His level of competition at Colorado State wasn’t the best, and he will be tested by players of a level he’s never seen before.

Sambrailo will be going against pass-rushers with multiple moves to get after the passer. He’s smart, quick-footed and athletic, but Sambrailo will also have to show that he can anticipate and diagnose what secondary moves an opponent will use.

The rookie is going to face some fierce competition from opponents, but he’ll also be tested by some of the best pass-rushers in the game when practicing against teammates Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better situation to be thrown into in terms of learning as a young player going against a guy like [Ware]," Sambrailo said. "I’m going to have my growing pains, but I think that ultimately it will make me a better player.”

Sambrailo has to also prove he can pick up the playbook quickly.

“It’s not too bad," he said. "We’ve installed this a couple times so far. It’s just kind of the same, but at left [tackle]. The things are getting a little bit smoother a little bit quicker—less thinking and more playing. I’m just kind of excited about growing as a player.”

Summary

The Broncos added Sambrailo with the idea that he could be a starter as a rookie. The initial thought could have been that he would be a right tackle to get used to the pro game with a potential future on the left side.

That future is now.

“I think I was drafted to play," Sambrailo said. "I think the coaching staff didn’t really have a choice, either. They kind of decided to throw me in there, give me a shot and see what I can do.”

The rookie has shown a professional attitude in his first month out at Dove Valley. He’s a quick study, and Sambrailo has the mindset that does not shy away from expectations.

“I think it’s being drafted and being on a team like this," he said. "There are expectations no matter what is going on. I think coming in and playing right or left—it didn’t really make a difference—I was expecting to come in and compete.”

Is Sambrailo ready to be the starter at left tackle? Yes—at least he’s as ready as he’s going to be.

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.