Denver Broncos Training Camp: 5 Early Storylines to Watch

The Denver Broncos are set to begin training camp at Dove Valley on July 31.

During that time, the team will work to determine which players are most deserving of making the final 53-man roster. There are position battles that need to unfold as camp progresses. There are players fighting for roster spots as younger, more inexperienced players or seasoned veterans. Almost every single player on the roster is getting used to a new scheme with the coaching staff turnover on both sides of the ball.

Here are five early storylines to watch heading into training camp.

How Healthy Are Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall?

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The Broncos have two high-quality inside linebackers who should see a lot of action this year in the new 3-4 defense—and their job will be to stop the plays short of the first-down marker.

Danny Trevathan will be asked to play as the “Bow” (weak-side inside) linebacker this season. He participated earlier this year in offseason workouts, but by his own admission it was not at 100 percent. Trevathan is working his way back after not one, but two knee injuries forced him to miss most of last season.

“I’m limited. I can’t do too much movement, but it’s good for me. I get to work on my mindset. I had a year last year to work on it, but now I’m really strong with my mind.” Trevathan emphasized. “I don’t like making mistakes. It’s really going to help me with this defense.”

Brandon Marshall will be playing the “Sam” (strong-side inside) linebacker in 2015. He’s worked diligently to prove himself as a pro, and now Marshall is one of the most important defenders on the team.

Last year, Marshall had a foot injury that plagued him toward the end of the year. It turns out that injury was in fact a Lisfranc, and he required surgery earlier this offseason to repair the damage. The last time Marshall spoke to the media, he indicated a return for training camp.

“I should be able to do some drills at the start of training camp. I’m not sure about everything else, but I know I’ll be able to do drills at the start of training camp.”

The team should ease him into action as he returns from this severe injury. Marshall may only get a few series of action during the preseason—if he even sees the field at all.

The inside linebackers do most of the dirty work in a 3-4 defense. Both Trevathan and Marshall are incredibly talented, but they’ll need to be as close to full strength as possible when the regular season begins.

Ty Sambrailo's Impression at Left Tackle

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There was a change of plans at left tackle earlier this offseason when All-Pro Ryan Clady was lost to a knee injury during minicamp. The Broncos selected Ty Sambrailo out of Colorado State in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft with the idea that he could compete for a starting job at right tackle as a rookie. After Clady was lost for the year, Sambrailo was inserted as the team’s starter on the left side.

Sambrailo received all of the first-team reps at left tackle during OTAs and minicamp as the team put him through a crash course at the position. He played left tackle—in a zone-blocking system—in college, so Sambrailo is already familiar with the footwork and the requirements of the position.

The most important requirement is protecting the quarterback—especially now that Sambrailo will be protecting the blind side of 39-year old Peyton Manning. Sambrailo did play a few high-quality teams like Alabama during his time in college, but the Mountain West Conference didn’t provide him with the best competition.

Sambrailo will have to prove that he can handle the elite edge-rushers of the NFL. It’s going to be a big leap from the level of talent he saw on a regular basis in college.

Good thing the Broncos already have some of the best pass-rushers in the game on their own roster. During training camp, Sambrailo will be going up against the likes of DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller. He could even see plenty of time against 2015 first-round pick Shane Ray.

This work against his teammates will tell the tale of Sambrailo’s readiness. It’s one of the most intriguing things to watch during training camp.

The Pressure on Sylvester Williams

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The Broncos are featuring a 3-4 defense this year under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. The fulcrum of the defense is the nose tackle in the middle of the defensive line that anchors the whole scheme.

The starting nose tackle at this time is likely to be 2013 first-round pick Sylvester Williams. After showing flashes in the second half of his rookie season, Williams failed to impress as a 16-game starter in year two. The Broncos are looking for Williams to have a bounce-back season in 2015.

Head coach Gary Kubiak believes the team has a good feel on the progress of the defensive line this offseason.

“We had a little concern over the nose position and how we’re going to go about it. But I think [DE Vance] Walker has made a lot of progress. I think ‘Sly’ (NT Sylvester Williams) has had a really good offseason. [NT] Marvin [Austin Jr.] has been nicked a little bit and has missed some time. So there’s been a little concern on how we’re going to do that.

Kubiak continued, “But, the good news is that [Defensive Coordinator] Wade [Phillips] has played with a big nose, he’s played with the small guys, he’s played with all of them. But I like the way [Defensive Line Coach] Bill [Kollar] works and they’ve responded to Bill and I think they’ve done a good job.”

Williams has to be considered the frontrunner at nose tackle as we enter training camp. He’ll have to continue to prove that he’s the best option as the team works their way through August.

Can C.J. Anderson Hold off Montee Ball for the Starting Job?

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The rushing attack for the Broncos could be the best in the league in 2015. They found a star (and a Pro Bowler) in C.J. Anderson last year. After waiting for his chance to start, Anderson burst onto the NFL scene—leading the league in rushing over the final six weeks of the regular season. Anderson enters camp as the starter, but he’ll face quality competition in Montee Ball.

Last year was a bust for the Broncos 2013 second-round pick. Ball entered training camp one year ago as the top back in Denver, but an appendectomy in August set him back. When the regular season began, Ball wasn’t quite himself. He didn’t produce as a starter and to make things worse, he ended up injuring his groin so bad that it cost him the rest of the season.

Now, Ball is looking to prove that he can be a capable starter in the NFL.

Kubiak is pleased with his running back situation.

“We’re right where we’re at. Obviously [RB] C.J. [Anderson], that’s in a lot of ways his spot to hang on to. I think that [RB] Montee [Ball] has had a great offseason. I think [RB] Ronnie [Hillman] has had a really good offseason. I think it’s very competitive.”

Kubiak emphasized, “You never know about the backs until you put the pads on. I think C.J. has worked extremely hard. Coming off of last year, he deserves that opportunity, and I think he’s getting ready for that opportunity. But he knows he’s being pushed very hard.”

Anderson is good—damn good—but how good is Ball? We’ll see a pecking order established in training camp.

How Does Manning Look from Under Center?

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As much as the team will be balanced offensively this season, they will still rely on future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Last year, Manning got off to another hot start but injuries and inconsistencies plagued his game from Week 11 on to the playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

After the way last season ended, many are wondering if we’re seeing the beginning of the end for Manning.

Kubiak has been watching Manning with a keen eye this offseason, and he’s liked what he’s seen.

“I think he’s throwing the ball really well. Obviously we got in some two-minute [drills] today. He struggled one period, and he took them right down the next period. But I think he’s getting real comfortable with what we are doing, and then there are times we’re turning loose with what he’s done, and obviously that’s an easy comfort zone for him.” Kubiak concluded, “But he’s been steady with what he’s doing.”

Is Manning done? The answer is no. Under the guidance of Kubiak, things could work out quite well for Manning and the Broncos in 2015.

In fact, with a more efficient Manning, a strong rushing attack and a world-class (and ferocious) defense, one can easily make the argument that this team is best equipped to win the Super Bowl of any other Broncos team during the Manning era.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.