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Denver Broncos | News

Evaluating the Pick: Michael Schofield

Near the end of the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Broncos boosted their offensive line depth with the experienced and versatile Michael Schofield from Michigan. Here are a few opinions from around the league on Denver's pick:

NFL Network broadcast:
Mike Mayock: "Interestingly, they called him a tackle. At the Senior Bowl, they kicked him inside to guard where he played real well. I think he is a tackle: He's long, I'm not sure he's powerful enough to play inside. He played extremely well, I thought, at the Senior Bowl. Elevated his stock. I thought he'd go in the fourth round but here's Denver coming up and getting him. And that's one of their needs here. Remember, Zane Beadles is gone, they're going to kick [Orlando Franklin] inside, but they need some depth."

Charles Davis: "I thought Schofield was terrific at the Senior Bowl. They gave him a lot of reps, both inside and outside and I thought this was where he fit best, at the right tackle position. Stoned a lot of people in one-on-one drills."

**ESPN.com's Scouts Inc:**
What he brings:
Schofield isn't as athletic and doesn't play with as much of an edge as his college teammate and first-round pick, Taylor Lewan. He is a three-year starter with the potential to develop into a starting right tackle or possibly kick inside to guard. He gets good hand placement and anchors well in pass protection, in addition to getting into sound initial position and showing adequate power as a run-blocker.

How he fits:
The Broncos need a right tackle after moving Orlando Franklin to guard, and Schofield is a good fit for offensive coordinator Adam Gase's scheme. He has the power base to develop into an effective drive blocker, and he's an adequate pass-blocker with above-average awareness.

**ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold:**
My take: The Broncos, having already told Orlando Franklin he will move from right tackle to left guard, were on the hunt for a right tackle prospect in the draft's first two days. The Broncos saw the prospect they wanted in Michigan's Michael Schofield. He has the potential to play both guard and tackle, which is the kind of flexibility the Broncos hoped to find. Schofield started 10 games at left guard in 2011 to go with 26 starts at right tackle in 2012 and 2013 combined. He's a gritty player who showed himself to already be proficient in the run game. Schofield is a good enough athlete to have run the 110 hurdles for his high school's track team in suburban Chicago. He should get the chance to compete for the right tackle spot right away.

**FoxSports.com:**
Schofield is great at blocking the run and has good size. He can play either guard or tackle in the NFL but may end up at tackle after all. Solid competitor.

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