Denver Broncos

Redesign, Rebuild, Reclaim: the Denver Broncos Offensive Line

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After putting an elderly QB at risk on every dropback last year, the Broncos flipped 3 spots on their offensive line and turned it into a strength in 2016.

Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; The Denver Broncos huddle against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Broncos won 29-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos offensive line was a mess last season. They were OK in pass protection, finishing 13th in Football Outsiders’ adjusted sack rate (which was certainly aided by Manning’s penchant for getting the ball out quickly). However, the ground game was a real issue.

Save for runs off of the tackles (a staple of a Peyton Manning offense), the Broncos ranked in the bottom 3rd in adjusted line yards running in any other direction.

This year, the team has tweaked its strategy and fully adopted Gary Kubiak’s scheme, which means a ton of runs in between the tackles, where the Broncos rank in the top third of the league. Short yardage remains an issue as they have not improved much on their #23 ranking, converting 61% of their 3rd and 4th and shorts – good for 21st in the league.

However, they’re clearly improved as the tackles are dramatically better, and a surprisingly effective move to guard for their most maligned player helped the Broncos maintain continuity after losing PFF’s top rated run blocker at the position, Evan Mathis. Another seems to have made the jump from good to great, and the Broncos now boast at minimum, an above average line given that their best players operate at the offensive line’s two most important positions.

Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) pass rushes at Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo (74) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Ravens 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Donald Stephenson won this job out of camp but the Broncos didn’t draft Ty Sambrailo in the 2nd round to sit him behind a good but not great veteran. Stephenson proved more than capable against Carolina and Indianapolis, but went down to injury and may not get his job back.

Sambrailo’s first start at a new position in Cincinnati after his yearlong injury layoff was not pretty. He face-planted swinging as the lone blocker to the outside on a crucial third down run inside the five, and had it not been for Ryan Fitzpatrick doling out interceptions like Halloween candy, he would have been Pro Football Focus’ worst player from week 3.

On Sunday against the Buccaneers, PFF graded him as the 2nd best offensive Bronco (more on who was 1st later), ahead of Emmanuel Sanders, Russell Okung, and Matt Paradis.

If the Sambrailo from Tampa Bay is the guy we can expect, Donald Stephenson will be relegated to the bench; if the dude in Cincinnati is the real Sambrailo, well at least Stephenson has proven himself as an adequate to good option.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive lineman Michael Schofield (79) against the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

No Bronco endured more widespread criticism last year than Michael Schofield. Mark Schlereth didn’t really mince words with his fellow offensive lineman.

“I’m not trying to bash the kid, because I know that he’s trying hard. He’s overmatched. There’s some people that can’t play at this level. At this point in his career, he doesn’t belong in the game.”

Well, at this point in his career, it seems pretty clear that Schofield does belong in the game. The Broncos shifted him to guard as his speed/power combination matches up much better against giant maulers than quick flashes around the edge, and it’s been a rousing success so far.

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Schofield has yet to give up a sack or commit a penalty and is firmly entrenched at right guard for the defending Super Bowl champions. Not only that, but he is their best swing lineman, as he has played every position but center under Gary Kubiak. Last year’s struggles, including a historic beatdown at the hands of Khalil Mack, could wind up helping Schofield as he told Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post:

“It really made me get back in the playbook to really know the offense. I think last year I was thinking too much about what do I do on this play and who’s my assignment instead of just playing.”

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) hikes the football in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

After shipping out Manny Ramirez (I still crack up every time I type that name for football) to move up in the draft to select Shane Ray, many assumed that the Broncos would bring in a veteran center like Peyton’s good buddy Jeff Saturday to hold down the fort. Instead, some random dude from Boise State named Paradis was taking all the reps at OTAs, and both Broncos coaches and Peyton Manning were sold from the start on the former practice squad grinder.

He was steady for the past two years, but Matt Paradis jumped a level this season, emerging as one of the best centers in the league; PFF named him week 2’s best center for his domination over Indianapolis’ defensive line. He was rated one of the Broncos’ top performers in week 3, and completely took over the game once Gerald McCoy exited with an injury this past Sunday. The Broncos have been wandering the center wilderness for the past several years, and now they have that position locked in for the coming decade.

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs the ball as offensive guard Max Garcia (76) defends in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Max Garcia has been the sole leak on the line this season, as he has been bullied by the pass rush and the Broncos average less adjusted line yards running to his side than anywhere else. As the Broncos have completely embraced Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme, Garcia has been matched up on less pure 1 on 1s, and has struggled as a result.

His greatest asset is his strength at the point of attack – as once he gets engaged, he can simply steamroll people. With Garcia being asked to block a wider array of angles, he has struggled to gain leverage on defenders, and his lack of speed in space has been painfully obvious.

All is not lost though, as Matt Paradis struggled adjusting to zone concepts last year before turning into the only steady hand on the line. If Garcia can get in sync with the scheme, the lone problem area in front of the young QB’s will be fixed. It better, because they don’t really have an acceptable option to plug in if his struggles continue, as Darren Weems and Connor McGovern have no business seeing the field for a contender.

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Russell Okung (73) at the line of scrimmage in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.The Broncos defeated the Colts 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Not only has Russell Okung discovered the fountain of youth and provided the Broncos with elite play at the offensive line’s most important position, but he has proven to be a stabilizing force in the locker room as well. Nearly everyone on the team has lauded the personality of the Broncos only high profile offseason acquisition.

However, Okung has already left one game with injuries this year, and his loss was immediately apparent against a weak Colts front seven. Given that he is coming off a significant injury, that is something to worry about, but so long as he is upright and healthy, the Broncos have a bona fide big time left tackle who could also fly the team to safety in the event of an emergency.

.@RussellOkung isn’t piloting us to Tampa (we think …😳), but he may be in the cockpit soon, thanks to @United https://t.co/9U0aSxKG8c

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 1, 2016

Next: **Bonus** Fullback!

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos fullback Andy Janovich (32) runs through the tackle of Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

WE OUT HERE SAVING THE FULLBACK FROM EXTINCTION YALL!!!! #Broncos

— Jacob Weindling (@Jakeweindling) September 9, 2016

As my definitely 100% sober tweet from inside Mile High during the Broncos home opener expressed: the fullback isn’t going anywhere. Andy Janovich is mostly known for taking his first NFL touch 28 yards to the house on opening night, but through the first four games, he has been the best fullback in the NFL per PFF, while also playing more downs than any other fullback in the league.

He is a big part of why the Broncos run game has been more effective than last season (granted, Valor Christian High School’s offense is more effective than the Broncos offense was last season, but Janovich is legitimately good). He was the Broncos’ highest graded offensive player against Tampa Bay, second only on the team to Aqib Talib who set up shop in Jameis Winston’s nightmares.

Plus, he’s an ace on special teams, as he’s already made a couple big tackles to stop would be long returns. While the rest of the league has descended into a perverted version of flag football, the Broncos are winning with tried and true tactics: good line play, great defending, and a fullback busting open big runs. One of the biggest weaknesses on last year’s championship squad is no more.

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