Broncos Training Camp Battle: Left Guard Position
The Denver Broncos have a position battle going on behind the scenes with a position on the offensive line.The Broncos have a pretty good roster heading into training camp, much better than they did this time a year ago. George Paton and Sean Payton made some necessary changes, including some important ones on the offensive […]
The Denver Broncos have a position battle going on behind the scenes with a position on the offensive line.
The Broncos have a pretty good roster heading into training camp, much better than they did this time a year ago. George Paton and Sean Payton made some necessary changes, including some important ones on the offensive line.
The Broncos allowed 61 sacks last season, with Russell Wilson being brought down for 55 of those, tied for first in the league with Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. To try and fix it, they added left guard Ben Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey in free agency and drafted center Alex Forsyth.
But, some battles will still happen within the offensive line when training camp kicks off on July 28. We know Powers will be the starter, but there will be a battle for the second-string position between two guys. Here are the guys battling for that spot:
Quinn Bailey
Bailey has been on the Broncos for four years now, and going into his fifth season; he will want to make sure he has a crucial role on the team. He won’t be battling for the starting spot because he isn’t as good as Powers, and of course, he isn’t getting paid as much as Powers.
However, he and the third-string left guard will battle for the second-string spot. Bailey allowed one sack and one penalty in 162 total offensive snaps for the 2022 season. According to Pro Football Focus, Bailey finished 2022 with a 62 pass block grade, which isn't bad.
When you watch his technique, you can see the skill there to play the position. However, there are still a few things that aren't great. His awareness could be better, a big reason why he will be in a battle with undrafted rookie Henry Byrd.
Henry Byrd
The picture above actually isn't of Byrd. In fact, it's former guard Dalton Risner at last year's training camp. It's hard to find a picture of Byrd because he isn't all that well known. However, that doesn't mean he isn't good.
Byrd played at Princeton, which isn't the biggest school in the world, but he was very good. Playing at a smaller school can sometimes be the reason payers go undrafted; however, the Broncos signed him as an undrafted free agent because he has skill.
Byrd will be trying to battle for a roster spot, which means he will likely have to battle Bailey for the second-string position. As a young, undrafted free agent, Byrd has the advantage in the fact hed has nothing to lose. He will give it his all and show why it was a mistake that he was undrafted.
The Broncos will have a few battles going on during training camp. A lot of the starting jobs are on lock; there are a few that aren't. However, that doesn't mean there won't be guys battling for a roster spot as a second-string guy. The left guard position is one of them.
Broncos Training Camp Battle: Center Position
The Denver Broncos have a battle that will be going on at the center position when training camp kicks off, and we need to be paying more attention to it.
Featured Image Via Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
