In 2024, the Denver Broncos drafted Nick Gargiulo out of South Carolina where he played his final year of college eligibility after having a successful career as a guard/tackle at Yale. Nick was the second to last pick in 2024. The Broncos got the draft pick in the trade for Zach Wilson. The Jets traded that pick to the Vikings who used it to draft All-Pro kicker Will Reichard (hit 11 of 13 from 50+ last season).

Nick Gargiulo

Position: IOL

6-5, 310lb (196cm, 140kg)

College: South Carolina, Yale

Draft: Denver Broncos in the 7th round (256th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Nick started every game at center for USC (the real one, the one that was a school before California was a state) during the 2023 season. Unfortunately he tore his right ACL during the preseason game against the Cardinals prior to last season (August of 2025). It’s possible that Nick starts the season on the PUP list since it’s been less than a year since his ACL tear.

Nick was having a strong camp and had a shot at making the roster as a backup IOL guy and emergency tackle prior to the injury. Nick was activated off of the IR in February. He is one of eight IOL guys on the 90-man roster. With Alex Forsyth, Luke Wattenberg, Ben Powers, Quinn Meinerz, and Kage Casey as locks for the 53-man, I don’t see a place for Nick on the 53-man roster, but he should be a strong candidate to resign with our practice squad if he is healthy. He will be competing with Nash Jones, Calvin Throckmorton, and Michael Deiter for an IOL spot on the PS.

Nick fits the mold the Zach Strief likes as a versatile, quick, athletic OL guy. He obviously has the brains to play center or guard in the NFL with a degree from Yale. So the only question for Nick is health.