The Denver Broncos made it a priority to establish their offensive line since Head Coach Sean Payton and Assistant Head Coach Zach Strief were brought in to lead the squad. Whether by spending big in free agency, utilizing draft capital, or signing undrafted rookie free agents—the Broncos have embraced the ‘no stone left unturned’ philosophy when it comes to keeping the foundations of their team strong.
One player to keep your eye over the course of OTAs and training camp is UDFA offensive lineman
Gavin Ortega. During his 41 game collegiate career at Weber State, Ortega was a 35 game starter and boasts hefty experience at left tackle, left guard, and right tackle. He was a team captain as a senior and was also an All-Big Sky honoree for his top-notch play in the FCS.
Could Ortega surprise and make the team in his rookie season or will he need some time to develop on the Broncos’ practice squad? Let’s discuss.
Player Profile
Age: 22 | Experience: Rookie | College: Weber State | Height: 6’5” | Weight: 305 pounds
Arm Length: 33” | Hand Size: 10” | Bench: 24 reps
40-Yard Dash: 5.10 seconds | Broad Jump: 9’-3” | Vertical: 30” | 3-Cone: 7.51 seconds
Gavin Ortega’s 2026 outlook with the Broncos
When vying for a backup offensive line spot, it’s crucial for players to have positional versatility. As noted above, Ortega’s experience at both tackle spots and left guard are one of his biggest calling cards. That flexibility can certainly earn him a roster spot as he begins his NFL journey. We have seen that play out in recent years, particularly with Alex Palczewski, who was also an undrafted free agent acquisition by Denver.
The Broncos seem to be bullish on Ortega’s potential. He received one of the biggest signing bonuses of any of the 13 UDFAs they inked to post-draft deals. His pre-draft circuit and athletic testing were impressive. The latter routinely showed up on tape—with his ability to block on the move and be a fulcrum in the Wildcats’ premier rushing attack the past several seasons standing out in a big way.
At 22 years old, Ortega still has plenty of time for refinement and future development. There will be a necessary adjustment period to acclimate to the advanced rigors of the pro game, but he has all the tools to eventually become a backup caliber offensive lineman who can start in a pinch if necessary.
Final Thoughts
Going from the FCS to the NFL will certainly be a learning curve for the former Weber State standout. Given the depth the Broncos have on their offensive line, I’d wager it would be a long shot for him to make the final 53-man roster. Even so, his athleticism and positional versatility will land him a spot on the Broncos’ 16-man practice squad. Assistant Head Coach Zach Strief and the Broncos’ scouting staff have done a good job identifying and developing talent at the position and Ortega seems to be the next undrafted prospect along the offensive trenches who will eventually find a way to play on Sunday’s.
