Mile High Report
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.
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
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....
