INDIANAPOLIS --Four potential first-round offensive linemen. Four big questions.
This year's line class not only lacks the depth of recent years, but doesn't come with anyone who clearly belongs atop the draft. This year could see the top 10 picks pass without an offensive lineman taken, which hasn't happened in 12 years.
**
GARETT BOLLES: IS ONE YEAR STARTING AT THE FBS LEVEL ENOUGH, GIVEN HIS ADVANCED AGE?**
No player among the 330 at the Combine took a more circuitous path to Indianapolis than Bolles, who had drug issues, an arrest and was eventually on the street before he got his life back on track. p> In the process of finding his way to football, Bolles went on a one-year Church of Latter-Day Saints mission, which he served in Colorado Springs, and played at junior college before heading to Utah, where he became a starter at tackle in 2016.
Bolles will be 25 before he takes his first professional snap. If a team brought him along by using him at another position, such as right tackle, he might not be playing on the left side until he's 27 or 28.
But age doesn't translate to hits. Because he wasn't playing football in his lost years, he's accumulated the physical wear of a 21- or 22-year-old -- and in Bolles' eyes, that's what matters, not the birthdate on his driver's license.
"I think that's a positive thing for me, because that's just less wear and tear on my body," he said. "I've never been cut open, I've never had a surgery, I've never had a major injury. You've got to knock on wood because football is rough game."
And he also doesn't want to wait to play left tackle.
"They're not drafting me to sit on the bench," Bolles said "They're drafting me to come in and make a big impact."
**
FORREST LAMP: WHAT'S THE RIGHT POSITION?**
Although he worked at left tackle at Western Kentucky -- and had his best work there -- a shorter-than-expected arm measurement at the Senior Bowl helped lead to continued speculation that Lamp would have to move to guard or even center as a professional.
Lamp is willing to accept any spot -- "I'll play wherever I can to help a team," he said. But the game that opened eyes was against Alabama, which boasted the best defensive line in college football last year, led by potential top-three pick Jonathan Allen.
"I think I can play tackle," Lamp said. "Everybody says the Alabama front, all three of those guys, will probably get drafted in the first round. So if I can block those guys, why wouldn't I be able to block anybody?"
But in his quest for playing time, not only does the position not matter -- the side doesn't, either.
"Sides don't affect me. I played left and right guard at the Senior Bowl. I think I even played right tackle. I've played left tackle," Lamp said. "The biggest difference is going from guard to tackle."
As NFL Draft prospects near their first test of the process, the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, many NFL experts still predict Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk to be the Broncos' first pick off the board. (AP Images)
![Dan Kadar, SB Nation
"Teams will have to get comfortable with Ramczyk's health after he had hip surgery following Wisconsin's bowl game. If there are long-term doubts about his health he could get vaulted by another offensive tackle." [Feb. 27]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/mjg13c5ixcfq5iyiuaqz.jpg)
Dan Kadar, SB Nation "Teams will have to get comfortable with Ramczyk's health after he had hip surgery following Wisconsin's bowl game. If there are long-term doubts about his health he could get vaulted by another offensive tackle." [Feb. 27]
![Will Brinson, CBS Sports
"The Broncos are rebuilding this offense in a different way this year, with Mike McCoy returning and Paxton Lynch expected to get serious run under center. Getting Lynch protection will be key but the Broncos could stand to hand him another weapon too and Howard would fit the bill." [Feb. 23]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/orhwg8wib4yd9dbhdn7q.jpg)
Will Brinson, CBS Sports "The Broncos are rebuilding this offense in a different way this year, with Mike McCoy returning and Paxton Lynch expected to get serious run under center. Getting Lynch protection will be key but the Broncos could stand to hand him another weapon too and Howard would fit the bill." [Feb. 23]
![Jared Dubin, CBS Sports
"There have been few surer bets over the last half-decade or so than Wisconsin offensive linemen. Ramczyk is another stud." [Feb. 22]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/tqgdazsp6qfgpfuvvfpz.jpg)
Jared Dubin, CBS Sports "There have been few surer bets over the last half-decade or so than Wisconsin offensive linemen. Ramczyk is another stud." [Feb. 22]
![Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
"The Broncos' offensive line ranked 24th in pass protection, and Ramczyk will change that. The task becomes even more important as the Broncos continue their youth movement at quarterback." [Feb. 22]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/fgzegplqx0lbdnyfue6g.jpg)
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports "The Broncos' offensive line ranked 24th in pass protection, and Ramczyk will change that. The task becomes even more important as the Broncos continue their youth movement at quarterback." [Feb. 22]
![Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
"They have to get better play from the tackle spots." [Feb. 22]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/uuu3slerqdokhbwv7zug.jpg)
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports "They have to get better play from the tackle spots." [Feb. 22]
![Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated
"There will be risk in assuming he can handle an NFL safety role, but this level of versatility does not come around often. The Peppers draft-stock roller coaster is set to tick upwards after he tests at the combine." [Feb. 22]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/r7gvywxinj2bsxz7ayun.jpg)
Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated "There will be risk in assuming he can handle an NFL safety role, but this level of versatility does not come around often. The Peppers draft-stock roller coaster is set to tick upwards after he tests at the combine." [Feb. 22]
![Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
"If Robinson is available here, he could be the choice as Denver looks to transition away from a zone-based running game to one featuring more power." [Feb. 22]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/wr6igzwrol9xajg2tojd.jpg)
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com "If Robinson is available here, he could be the choice as Denver looks to transition away from a zone-based running game to one featuring more power." [Feb. 22]
![Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com
"Denver couldn't run the ball or protect consistently, and thus we could see an offseason makeover. Bolles might not be a plug-and-play at tackle, but Denver needs talent, and new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy can figure it out from there." [Feb. 15]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/y3wh8yiippn5y3xyswsb.jpg)
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com "Denver couldn't run the ball or protect consistently, and thus we could see an offseason makeover. Bolles might not be a plug-and-play at tackle, but Denver needs talent, and new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy can figure it out from there." [Feb. 15]
![Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus
"He was excellent in his first year of FBS football, allowing only 12 QB pressures while showing the ability to make all of the necessary blocks in the running game, whether moving defenders at the line of scrimmage or getting out on the move at the second level." [Feb. 15]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/we7whnhq21xkg0c1gpac.jpg)
Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus "He was excellent in his first year of FBS football, allowing only 12 QB pressures while showing the ability to make all of the necessary blocks in the running game, whether moving defenders at the line of scrimmage or getting out on the move at the second level." [Feb. 15]
![Chad Reuter, NFL.com
"The line must improve no matter who is leading the offense at QB next year." [Feb. 15]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/tzrzslwsbkcw8ksepbzx.jpg)
Chad Reuter, NFL.com "The line must improve no matter who is leading the offense at QB next year." [Feb. 15]
![Todd McShay, ESPN.com
"Ramczyk, who's recovering from hip surgery, has the best tape of the group. He also has just one year of major college experience after transferring from UW-Stevens Point (Division III). Long and well-built, Ramczyk would serve as a much-needed upgrade for the Broncos up front." [Feb. 8]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/vv9xwma8pilfvuwmgsm8.jpg)
Todd McShay, ESPN.com "Ramczyk, who's recovering from hip surgery, has the best tape of the group. He also has just one year of major college experience after transferring from UW-Stevens Point (Division III). Long and well-built, Ramczyk would serve as a much-needed upgrade for the Broncos up front." [Feb. 8]
![Rob Rang, CBS Sports
"Ramczyk has been one of this year's most pleasant surprises, starring at left tackle for the Badgers after transferring from D-III UW-Stevens Point. The 6-6, 314-pounder is long and surprisingly agile." [Feb. 13]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/zsoequ3pa8cbeshrxxgm.jpg)
Rob Rang, CBS Sports "Ramczyk has been one of this year's most pleasant surprises, starring at left tackle for the Badgers after transferring from D-III UW-Stevens Point. The 6-6, 314-pounder is long and surprisingly agile." [Feb. 13]
![Charley Casserly, NFL.com
"The offensive line failed the Broncos in 2016; Bolles will help." [Feb. 11]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/if5fz6ujcca8geo2r7uk.jpg)
Charley Casserly, NFL.com "The offensive line failed the Broncos in 2016; Bolles will help." [Feb. 11]
![Dane Brugler, CBS Sports
"One of the priorities for John Elway and the Broncos this offseason is to address a leaky offensive line." [Feb. 13]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/dzfyppzljciz0jkrgn7t.jpg)
Dane Brugler, CBS Sports "One of the priorities for John Elway and the Broncos this offseason is to address a leaky offensive line." [Feb. 13]
![Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
"The Broncos must address the offensive line; many consider Ramczyk the top tackle in this draft." [Feb. 8]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/gtmqamo3ekhm2nhdx2fw.jpg)
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com "The Broncos must address the offensive line; many consider Ramczyk the top tackle in this draft." [Feb. 8]
![Andrew Mason, DenverBroncos.com
"Offensive line is a big need, but that could be an area the Broncos prioritize in free agency, which would leave them the flexibility to take McCaffrey. Despite being listed as a running back, McCaffrey is an unclassifiable player who will be moved around -- you could almost call him a UB -- short for "ultra back." Other prospects will have better measurables, but is there another who can create more matchup problems?" [Feb. 1]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/isvmgzdxhozuqlloaqpj.jpg)
Andrew Mason, DenverBroncos.com "Offensive line is a big need, but that could be an area the Broncos prioritize in free agency, which would leave them the flexibility to take McCaffrey. Despite being listed as a running back, McCaffrey is an unclassifiable player who will be moved around -- you could almost call him a UB -- short for "ultra back." Other prospects will have better measurables, but is there another who can create more matchup problems?" [Feb. 1]
![Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
"Contrary to popular opinion, the Broncos' offensive line struggles prevented the team from making another run at a title." [Jan. 26]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/nb09yvz1oq5yloqdlmgs.jpg)
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com "Contrary to popular opinion, the Broncos' offensive line struggles prevented the team from making another run at a title." [Jan. 26]
RYAN RAMCZYK: HOW'S THE HIP?
"Really good," the Wisconsin offensive tackle said, believing that the medical checkups conducted by teams should squelch the concerns about his January hip procedure.
"The surgeon was actually there for medical check-ups and he said it looks really clean, really good," Ramczyk said.
A full recovery is still over three months away, so he will have some catch-up work in the weight room to do. He said that he can still do upper-body and cardio work, but has to avoid squats and agility drills.
Ramczyk also must answer questions about how he only started one season at the FBS level, having transferred from Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He also gave up the game for a year at age 18, backing out on a commitment to play at Division II Winona (Minn.) State before landing at Stevens Point.
"It's been a big question in interviews," he said. "I took a year off and realized what I had given up and ever since then I've been competing and just playing football and loving it."
CAM ROBINSON: GUARD OR TACKLE?
In the wake of NFL Network's Mike Mayock saying Monday that he saw the Alabama product as more of a guard prospect, Robinson's response about the potential of being guard was simple -- and illustrated the risk of moving a tackle to the inside.
"I don't know," he said of being a guard. "I never played it."
So not only does he see himself as a tackle -- but the best tackle in the class.
"It's what I believe," Robinson said. "I believe in what I've put on film for the past three years. I think I've put it on film and I don't have to talk much more about it."