ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Throughout the 2018 season, as Ja'Wuan James watched film each week, one player caught his attention again and again.
"It's crazy," James recalled at his introductory press conference on Friday. "You watch film all week on different teams and I just kept seeing this kid [RB Phillip] Lindsay just pop up, popping runs here, popping runs there. Now to be able to be on his team and block for him, I'm excited."
At the time, James likely had little idea he would eventually block for the rookie who became the first-ever undrafted offensive player to make a Pro Bowl in his first season. But after signing a four-year contract with the Broncos, James could be more than just a road-paver for Lindsay in 2019.
He may be a pillar for the Broncos at right tackle for years to come.
The biggest factor in that coming to fruition will probably be James' ability to fit in the Broncos' new offense and help power a strong rushing attack, in addition to providing protection against talented pass rushers like the Chargers' Joey Bosa.
With Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Munchak serving as the Broncos' offensive line coach, James will have some of the best tutelage to bring him up to speed as he joins a new team, but at least as a run blocker, James thinks he's already a good fit in a zone-blocking scheme from his experience with Dolphins.
"I love it," James said. "I love it because not only do you get to have your athleticism part of it and running all day, but you get to be physical in the run game. That is a big part of any O-line. You get a chance to play on their side of the ball, the defensive line's side, and bring it to them every play and not just be sitting back. I'm excited about that. Like I said, I got to talk to Coach Munchak for about an hour upstairs. He got me all riled up right now."
Take a look back through Ja'Wuan James' football career with photos from his days at Tennessee through his time with the Dolphins.
Tennessee offensive lineman Ja'Wuan James (70) blocks Western Kentucky defensive lineman Raphael Cox (95) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee offensive lineman Ja'Wuan James (70) blocks Auburn defensive end Dee Ford (30) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee offensive linesman Ja'Wuan James (70) watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
South Squad offensive lineman Ja'Wuan James of Tennessee (70) walks on to the field during Senior Bowl practice at Fairhope Municipal Stadium, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014 in Fairhope, Ala. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews)
Tennessee offensive lineman Ja'Wuan James runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey, left, and first round draft pick Ja'Wuan James pose for photos with James' new jersey during an NFL football news conference Friday, May 9, 2014, in Davie, Fla. The Dolphins selected James with the 19th overall pick in Thursday's draft. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Miami Dolphins' Ja'Wuan James is shown during mini-camp, Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at the Dolphins Training Facility in Davie, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Dolphins rookies Matt Hazel, Walt Aikens, center and Ja'Wuan James, react while watching a video, during the 2014 NFL Rookie Symposium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, Saturday, June 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Miami Dolphins tackle Ja'Wuan James, right, blocks Atlanta Falcons linebacker Tyler Starr (52) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Miami Dolphins tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) and offensive tackle Branden Albert (76)enter the field, before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) enter the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a week 8 NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 in Houston. Houston won 42-23. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a week 8 NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 in Houston. Houston won 42-23. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Ja'Wuan James (70) pass blocks in action against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday October 26, 2017 at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) goes up Miami Dolphins tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Miami Gardens, Fla. New England won 35-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (55) goes up against Miami Dolphins tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) during an NFL football game on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Miami won 34-31 in overtime. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Miami Dolphins tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) blocks during the game against the New York Jets, Saturday December 17, 2016, east Rutherford, NJ. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 34-13. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Miami Dolphin tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) blocks during the game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday December 4, 2016, Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 38-6. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Miami Dolphins Ja'Wuan James (72) during the NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, in Miami.
(AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Miami Dolphins tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) blocks against the Buffalo Bills during a week seven NFL football game Oct. 23, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins won 28 - 25. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) is congratulated by tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) and wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
With James' talent and age, President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway said he expects the 26-year-old tackle to be the Broncos' long-term solution at the position.
"We really like him," Elway said. "He's a good fit for us with what we want to do with the zone scheme and outside-zone. He's a physical guy and he plays hard. We're excited about him. … We're planning on him solidifying that right tackle for us. We really feel good about the two young tackles that we now have and what we're doing. We'll just continue to get better there."
James, too, has the confidence that he can be a reliable force for the Broncos.
"I'm going to work hard," James said, beginning to list reasons why he believes he can be the Broncos' right tackle for years to come. "The scheme, like [Elway] said, it fits me well. Me being athletic and me doing it the past two years — I can't wait to get in here and actually get to do it."
But James can't rest now just because he's moved to a new stage in his career.
"People talk about pressure and things like that," James said. "I feel like I'm a guy who competes for myself all of the time. I think as long as I'm holding myself to the highest standard, I will be fine. I'm excited to get to work here. That is the biggest thing.
"I'm excited to get to work and win some ball games."
