Broncos roster 2015: Michael Schofield

A day-by-day Broncos player breakdown is something we've been doing since our days at BroncoTalk nearly a decade ago. This year the tradition continues as we look at the Denver Broncos roster heading into the 2015 season in our 90-in-90 series.

Name: Michael Schofield
Position: Tackle
Height: 6'6" Weight: 301
Age: 24 Experience: 2nd
College: Michigan

Every season there is one, a player that is slotted in as the starter and then falls into oblivion, not to be mentioned again except in the case of an emergency. In the 2008 season, up until the draft Ryan Harris was in as the starting left tackle- enter Ryan Clady. In 2013, it was projected Tebow Time for an entire season, enter Peyton Manning. In 2014, it was Omar Bolden ready to step in at cornerback, enter Bradley Roby.

This season it was 2014's third round draft pick Michael Schofield who had possibly the shortest stint above the top of the depth chart of anyone. The Broncos drafted (right) tackle Ty Sambrailo in the second round of the 2015 draft, then Clady was injured. Sambrailo and Schofield split reps at left tackle for a day in minicamp and the rookie Sambrailo heads into training camp with the starting left tackle spot his.

So switch Schofield back to his natural right tackle spot, right? Wrong, Chris Clark was quickly installed as the starting right tackle.

This is why fans feel that the offensive line is a spot of major concern heading into training camp.

John Elway has spent time recently defending his 2014 draft class, but at this point the class remains indefensible. Schofield, a third-round pick last season spent every game last season as a game-day inactive, wide receiver Cody Latimer saw hardly any time on the field and center Matt Paradis spent the season on the scout team.

Head coach Gary Kubiak said recently that both Paradis and Schofield were "making it close" at center and right tackle respectively.

The good:

Well, John Elway is in Schofield's corner, that's a lot on this team where we aren't quite sure who bows to who and in what terms with this new regime.

Since his hiring Kubiak has had very few things to say about Schofield, which may speak more to the people asking him the question's interest than anything, but nothing too encouraging has been said by the head coach.

"Obviously there is a lot of competition there, but that’s what we drafted Michael [Schofield] for, with the idea that he has position flex because he’s also played guard. It’s been good for Michael to get that first year under his belt. He’s bulked up quite a bit. He’s gotten stronger and I think he’s looking forward to competing this year."

To his credit, Schofield spent this offseason jet-setting across the country in an effort to make him a better player. He spent over two weeks in San Diego training with Hudson Houck (former offensive line coach for the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and most recently the Dallas Cowboys).

"It was two hours a day for three days a week. We got a lot done," Schofield said. "We really focused on pass protection, on my body position, where I should have my weight for balance, on my eyes, what they should tell me before the snap."

He also spent time this offseason in Boston work on strength.

You may remember Schofield for being a workout warrior, at the Senior Bowl he was named NFL Network's Player of the Day on January 22nd, 2013.

The bad:

If there were ever a season for Schofield to make a name for himself, it was last season. At the time, the rookie just couldn't pull it off and Elway's will finally imposed an offensive line that included Louis Vasquez playing banged up and out of position at right tackle.

Schofield's strength is his run blocking and by self-admission lacked in pass blocking last season, "I feel like I am better suited for this [offense]," Schofield said. "You have to be able to reach block, and I feel the steps required fit me better."

With Elway at the helm, the Broncos have drafted exactly one offensive lineman that has started for Denver. That should be noted here as well.

Quotable:

"I am going in there with that mentality. In the NFL everybody is competing," Schofield said his year, prior to the draft in March. "They are looking for someone to step up and take over. I want to make that jump."

Roster status:

The Broncos have stacked their offensive line with veterans atop the depth chart at every position except left tackle. Likely, this is due to the team deciding that they'd rather have the youth clawing their way up instead of vice-versa. It also allows for the younger guys to get work against the first team. Schofield will work against DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller and Shane Ray in training camp for a long time. So, it's nearly sink or swim.

Schofield's work in mini-camp predominantly came behind Sambrailo at left tackle, though he is first in line at right tackle behind Clark. He also has played at guard during his time at Michigan, a fact that Kubiak has alluded to more than once this offseason.