The Denver Broncos have signed rookie offensive lineman Max Garcia

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Denver Broncos have signed rookie offensive lineman Max Garcia to a contract.

Updating draft pick signings: Max Garcia and Darius Kilgo have signed. #Broncos

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) May 13, 2015

The Broncos selected Garcia in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Garcia was selected to second-team All-SEC in 2014. He also switched positions from left guard to center during spring practices. Max started all 12 games at center for the Florida Gators in 2014.

After losing starting left guard Orlando Franklin, and starting center Will Montgomery in free agency, the Broncos were looking to add some depth and talent to the interior of their offensive line. General Manager John Elway and the rest of the Broncos coaching staff believed that Garcia was the guy they wanted to fill that role.

"I think his visit when he came here. Obviously he did his job in Indianapolis, but his visit when he came here and sat down with [Offensive Line Coach] Clancy [Barone] and [Assistant Offensive Line Coach] James [Cregg], talking ball. As a center I think he has something around 40 starts—big time starts being in Florida running the show up front. I used the words ‘quick study’ on Sambrailo the other day. I’d use the same thing here; we think this kid will catch up very fast and be very competitive not only at center, but at the guard position and you’re always looking for swing people. I think his visit really swayed us, knowing more about him, what he stood for and knowing how important football was to him."

Garcia is expected to start out at right guard behind Louis Vasquez in the beginning, but will eventually transition over to center when he fully learns Kubiak's offense.

Once he moves over to center he's going to compete for the starting job against Gino Gradkowski whom the Broncos traded for earlier this offseason and last seasons sixth-round pick Matt Paradis.

"I met with Offensive Line Coach Clancy Barone and Assistant Offensive Line Coach James Cregg and Head Coach Gary Kubiak and General Manager Mr. Elway. It was a really good visit. I think I’m a great fit for the Broncos and what they do as far as zone blocking. I feel like I can get up to that second level. I can work in combinations with the center or guard. I feel like I fit in and I’m just super happy to be a Bronco and to be a part of the organization."

The Broncos have holes at left guard and center, and I believe that Garcia will fill one of those spots for the Broncos this season. I believe he fits Kubiak's zone-blocking scheme well, and he'll help protect Peyton Manning, and open up holes for running back C.J. Anderson.