Can Joe Michalski earn a backup role at center for the Denver Broncos?

Oklahoma State offensive lineman Joe Michalski has a lot of collegiate experience, but can he flash enough over the summer to earn a backup spot with the Denver Broncos?

The Denver Broncos haven’t utilized significant draft capital to upgrading their offensive line since Head Coach Sean Payton took over.

Though that hasn’t stopped them from making it a focus of theirs and crafting it into a foundational identity piece of the franchise. The Broncos made significant investments in Payton’s first season by bringing in Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers via free agency. Last year, they retained two homegrown players inking both Garrett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz to long-term deals last season.

Despite neglecting prospects early in the draft, Denver has been one of the most diligent franchises in the National Football League bringing in undrafted free agents into the fold and developing them. Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach Zach Strief, a former seventh-round pick, has been a critical recruiter in getting well-experienced who didn’t hear their names called sign as UDFAs.

The team brought in four developmental prospects on the offensive line this past cycle. The last we haven’t covered is Oklahoma State center Joe Michalski.

Michalski spent his first year with the Cowboys as a redshirt in 2019. Over the next three seasons, he was primarily a special teams and backup player with spot starting duty due to injury. After four years of patience and hard work, he became a team captain and leader at the pivot for their offensive line in 2023. As a sixth-year senior, he returned to start 12 more games at center.

Michalski brings versatility, experience, and leadership to the squad. But with a crowded group of players in their offensive trenches, what can Broncos Country expect from Michalski in his rookie campaign? Let’s discuss.

Player Profile

Age: 24 | Experience: Rookie | College: Oklahoma State | Height: 6’3” | Weight: 297 pounds

Arm Length: 32-1/4” | Hand Size: 9” | Broad: 8’11” | Vertical: 29” | Bench: 28 reps

40-yard dash: 5.27 seconds | 3-Cone: 7.47 seconds | 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.47 seconds

Joe Michalski’s 2025 outlook with the Broncos

The common thread amongst the Broncos’ additions to the offensive line in undrafted free agency under Payton and Strief have been extensive game experience and leadership. A battle-tested team captain on special team’s blocking units and as a starter, Michalski’s fits the bill with a collegiate career spanning 59 games with 35 starts between center and guard.

I became familiar with him while watching running back Ollie Gordon II through the pre-draft process. In his first year starting at center in 2023, the Cowboys had one of the most dominant offenses in college. Gordon led the nation with 1,723 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Michalski’s efforts at center were a big reason for their unit’s high level of play. They helped pave the way to a 10-4 season under Mike Gundy and a victory over Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl.

Unfortunately, it seemed like their entire offense took a step back in 2024. Alan Bowman regressed, Gordon had a down year, and their offensive line—the most experienced in college football—didn’t seem to be as stout as the year prior. It was a Murphy’s Law year for them offensively and they won just 3 games in ‘24.

It’s sort of a tale of two seasons with Michalski’s tape. Turning back the clock two years, he looked really good as a run blocker. He excelled on the move and did a good job identifying and getting to blocks at the second level. His pre-draft agility testing numbers match up with his movement skills on tape. Those are probably his best qualities to tout as he attempts to earn a spot on Denver’s roster.

As far as pass protection goes, I think his intelligence stands out identifying various pressures defenses throw at him. He’s a really cerebral player and his experience and knowledge of what’s being thrown his way are evident. Though he can be overpowered when he is late to the punch engaging interior defenders. As of now, I don’t feel his strength or technique is ready to go head-to-head against some of the game’s best interior defensive lineman on a weekly basis.

But that’s just fine—the team needs developmental players for the future. Not every young player coming into the league is ready for the life under bright lights their first season.

Final Thoughts

Luke Wattenberg is the incumbent starter for the Broncos at center, followed up by third-year player Alex Forsyth, who was a seventh-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Those are your top two at the pivot entering camp.

Michalski joins a crowded room of undrafted free agents along the offensive line with Clay Webb, Xavier Truss, and Marques Cox. Frank Crum and Alex Palczewski were two UDFAs who earned final roster spots as rookies over the past two seasons. Considering that, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the four they signed this cycle end up earning a spot.

With Wattenberg in the final year of his contract and Forsyth in the third year of his, the Broncos certainly need a developmental center waiting in the wings. A standout in the classroom, a leader in the locker room, and a hard-nosed competitor, Michalski will give it is all over the course of the summer to try and make the team.

His strength, size, and technique may not be NFL ready, but his athleticism and ability to block on the move are positive traits that can translate to pro success. Though it’s important to note two of his biggest deficiencies mentioned above can be corrected over time. For those reasons, I’d consider him a long shot to make the team.

Even so, he would most certainly be a welcome addition to the Broncos’ 16-man practice squad. If there is a coach in the league that can help smooth out some of Michalski’s rough edges, Strief would be it. I hope he can stick around for further development.