Predicting the Winner of the Denver Broncos' Biggest Training-Camp Battles

The Denver Broncos are going to heat up Dove Valley starting on July 31. That’s the day that training camp begins as the 2015 season draws closer.

The dog days of August will bring practice in pads and players who are looking to impress the new coaching staff on both sides of the ball.

Many of the position battles are going to take place up front on the offensive line. This team will have four different starters (out of five) on the offensive line compared to the unit that ended last season.

In this article, we’ll predict the winner of the biggest battles in Broncos training camp.

Gino Gradkowski vs. Matt Paradis

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The center is the quarterback of the offensive line, and this competition is a good place to start. Last year, Manny Ramirez began the season as the starter but was eventually replaced by Will Montgomery because of poor play. In this offseason, Denver traded Ramirez to the Detroit Lions in the move to acquire first-round pick Shane Ray, and Montgomery followed John Fox to the Chicago Bears.

The Broncos need to see whether or not Gino Gradkowski can be the starter in 2015.

The team added him via trade earlier this offseason. He was a 16-game starter for the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, but they replaced him in the lineup for 2014, and he barely played. Gary Kubiak (then the Ravens offensive coordinator) must have liked what he saw from Gradkowski during practice, so the Broncos made a move to pick him up.

Earlier this year, Kubiak explained how Gradkowski ended up in Denver.

"I just mentioned to [Executive Vice President of Football Operations/general manager] John [Elway], 'There’s a guy...you all go look at him, but I had him up at Baltimore and he had started the year before and I think he’s a great player and take a look.' [I was] just fortunate to know him a little bit and [offensive coordinator] Rick [Dennison] liked him. I like the way he moves. So, if anything he’s made us real competitive at that position.

"If somebody like Matt [Paradis] is going to step up, he’s going to have to beat out a really good player. So, we’ll be a better team in the long haul because of those two guys going at it."

He knows the Kubiak offense, and that will give Gradkowski a leg up on Matt Paradis.

The Broncos added Paradis as a sixth-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft. The Boise State prospect didn’t make the final roster last year, but he did stick around as a practice-squad player as a rookie. Paradis has good athleticism for a big man, and this should give him an advantage over Gradkowski.

During training camp, Gradkowski should get the first opportunity to prove himself as the starting center. Paradis will put up a fight, but Gradkowski’s starting experience may be what puts him over the top.

Winner: Gino Gradkowski

Malik Jackson vs. Vance Walker

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Now, let’s move to the defensive side of the ball. The defense under new coordinator Wade Phillips has the potential to be ferocious. The defensive line is going to see plenty of competition during training camp as the team looks to find the right combination.

With Derek Wolfe and Sylvester Williams likely locked in at defensive end and defensive tackle, respectively, the Broncos have to find one more defensive end to start. That’s why the competition between Malik Jackson and Vance Walker is going to be one to watch in August.

Jackson was a fifth-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft. He’s entering the final year of his contract and has the potential to get double-digit sacks in 2015. Jackson’s game is built off aggression and a nonstop motor. His hustle has come through in a part-time role, and he needs to prove that he can continue to shine with a larger role.

Walker was a free-agent addition earlier this offseason. The Broncos will be his third stop in the AFC West after one-year stints with both the Kansas City Chiefs (2014) and Oakland Raiders (2013). His length, strength and position versatility make him an intriguing prospect to watch. There’s no question why the Broncos brought in a player with Walker’s ability to work under Phillips and defensive line coach Bill Kollar.

Phillips talked about the rotation up front.

"[DT] 'Sly' (Sylvester Williams) has been at the nose, but we’ve alternated those guys in. [DE] Malik [Jackson] is an end, obviously, size-wise. [DE Vance] Walker has come in and played some nose. We’ve alternated most of the other guys if they can play nose or 3-technique, and some of them can play 5-technique, we’ve alternated those guys. They’re working hard.

"Again, I think Bill [Kollar] does a great job with those guys. I think they’ll tell you they’ve improved already."

No matter who wins the starting defensive end job, the team will use a rotation to keep defenders fresh.

Winner: Malik Jackson

Chris Clark vs. Ryan Harris

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The Broncos have two good options to start at right tackle this season. Last year, the team had a mess at right tackle with right guard Louis Vasquez eventually ending up as the best option. Vasquez is an All-Pro-caliber guard, but he’s only average on the outside.

This year, the Broncos will find out if Chris Clark or Ryan Harris is the best option.

Clark began last year as the starting right tackle, but his time with the first team didn’t last. He struggled as both a run-blocker and in pass protection, so the team had to go in a different direction. Working in a zone-blocking system this year, he might play better.

If not, Denver can turn to Harris. A third-round pick for the Broncos in the 2007 NFL draft, Harris is custom-fit for the zone-blocking system. He worked under Kubiak in 2012 and 2013 with the Houston Texans.

Harris is not a mauler, but he does have good functional strength and is athletic enough to handle edge-rushers on the right side.

New offensive coordinator Rick Dennison spoke earlier this offseason about the talent at tackle.

"Obviously whoever is not playing, has got to play both, right or left. We’ll have three tackles up on game day. So right now we’re just going and again, he’s [Clark] just like everybody else. He’s improved, understanding the scheme and understanding the different techniques that we’re trying to do.

"The best five will play on Sunday when we get to September. We’re trying to teach them all so we can get them all out there to compete and be the best five."

The Broncos also have second-year pro Michael Schofield at tackle. He’s competing to be the swing tackle this year, but he could be in the mix at right tackle if Clark and Harris fail to impress.

Winner: Chris Clark

Ben Garland vs. Shelley Smith

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With Orlando Franklin moving on in free agency to the San Diego Chargers, the Broncos have a massive hole at left guard to fill. With the zone-blocking system requiring more athletic offensive linemen, the team will look at former defensive tackle Ben Garland and free-agent addition Shelley Smith in camp.

Garland received most (if not all) of the first-team reps at left guard during minicamp and OTAs. He’s incredibly strong and has no problem controlling his man at the point of attack. When the pads come on in training camp, we will see if his bruising style comes through in the trenches.

Smith was originally a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft by Kubiak and the Houston Texans. During minicamp, Kubiak was asked about his previous working relationship with Smith.

"We’ve had Shelley before; we had him in Houston and then we lost him. I know he’s kind of kicked around to a couple different places besides that. We know what he is because he’s a CSU guy and we’ve been around him before. He’s athletic, he knows what to do and he’s developed.

"He’s helped everybody and then he’s working on the things that he needs to get better."

Smith plays with veteran savvy and knows this system like the back of his hand. His athleticism helps him in the trenches, but it's also a benefit when he has to block a linebacker on the move at the second level of the defense.

Garland is the more powerful player, but Smith has the starting experience that Garland doesn’t have. This battle may go down to the wire, and we may not have an answer at left guard until the start of the regular season.

Winner: Ben Garland

C.J. Anderson vs. Montee Ball

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The competition that everyone will be watching is taking place at the running back position. C.J. Anderson has incredible ability as a runner. He’s in the right system for his talent and has the opportunity to lead the league in rushing this season.

In order to reach those lofty expectations, he will have to prove that he should be the Broncos bell-cow back over Montee Ball.

Last year, Ball began the season as the starter. The 2013 second-round pick was supposed to lead the way on the ground for the Broncos in 2014. Instead, a preseason appendectomy slowed him down, and he eventually was lost for the season because of a groin injury.

Now, Ball is healthy and out to prove that he should have his starting job back.

In college at Wisconsin, he ran in a zone-blocking system. The scheme up front should help him look more decisive as a runner. As the NCAA’s leader in touchdowns scored, he has a proven nose for the end zone, and this could show through in camp.

Anderson went undrafted the same year that Ball was a premium pick, but he’s worked hard to prove himself during his time with the Broncos. He is a more powerful runner than Ball and also runs with better balance and agility. Even though he’s a power back, Anderson has make-you-miss ability in tight space. This ability to create his own space through power or agility gives him the potential to stand out with a starter’s role.

During last season, Anderson also proved that he was more than capable as a receiver out of the backfield. His three-down capability gives him an advantage in this competition. He is also ahead of the game because he’ll be the starter at the beginning of camp. Time will tell if he can hang onto the job that he’s worked so hard to secure.

Winner: C.J. Anderson

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.