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5 Under-the-Radar Denver Broncos for the 2015 NFL Season

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Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Under-the-Radar Denver Broncos for the 2015 NFL Season

Shane Ray Training Camp
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to making a Super Bowl run, the consistent tipping point, and subsequent jump into football immortality, usually hinges on how under-the-radar players perform.

The 2014 NFL season for the Denver Broncos was a frustrating one to say the least. So, with the Denver Broncos looking to avenge last year’s disappointing home playoff loss and return to the Super Bowl, look for the these five under-the-radar players to make an impact.

5. LB Shane Ray

Shane Ray Draft
Dennis Wierzbickl-USA TODAY Sports

5. LB Shane Ray

Shane Ray Draft
Dennis Wierzbickl-USA TODAY Sports

Granted, it’s tough for any first-round pick to be under the radar, but, so far, Ray hasn’t made any waves since joining the Broncos. He has been overshadowed by an already-great linebacking corps and hasn’t been a regular participant in practice due to a nagging toe injury. It’s probably for the best, though, that Ray stay out of public scrutiny as his pre-draft marijuana citation raised serious maturity questions.

4. RB Ronnie Hillman

Ronnie Hillman Broncos
Ron Chennoy-USA TODAY Sports

4. RB Ronnie Hillman

Ronnie Hillman Broncos
Ron Chennoy-USA TODAY Sports

Hillman has been an afterthought for the Broncos after injuring his foot against the Oakland Raiders in Week 10 last season. Since then, CJ Anderson has been the go-to guy in the Denver backfield. With all that said, look for Hillman to put together his best year as a professional. Head coach Gary Kubiak may have never had a weapon like Hillman at his disposal, but he will need him in order to make the Broncos’ rushing attack multi-dimensional.

3. TE Virgil Green

Virgil Green Broncos
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

3. TE Virgil Green

Virgil Green Broncos
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The big knock on former Broncos tight end Julius Thomas was his inability to block at the line of scrimmage. However, his successor, Virgil Green, is an astute blocking tight end and, despite having only 23 catches in four seasons, has all the tools to be the key cog in the Broncos’ passing game. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have proverbial-tight-end-kingmaker (see Dallas Clark and Jacob Tamme) Peyton Manning throwing you the rock.

2. WR Cody Latimer

Cody Latimer Broncos
Cary Edmonson-USA TODAY Sports

2. WR Cody Latimer

Cody Latimer Broncos
Cary Edmonson-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, Latimer fell victim to the same circumstances which are now plaguing his defensive counterpart Shane Ray this year. But, how can you blame the guy for getting lost in the fray? He had three Pro-Bowlers as well as Wes Welker catching passes ahead of him. This year, with Welker and Julius Thomas gone, Latimer is primed to flourish. It’s only a matter of time before he becomes the next star wide receiver to call Denver his home.

1. LT Ty Sambrailo

Ty Sambrailo Draft
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1. LT Ty Sambrailo

Ty Sambrailo Draft
Getty Images

Sambrailo, by far, is the most under-the-radar player on this list. He is a rookie left tackle with big shoes to fill now that Ryan Clady is gone for the season. Any learning curve he may encounter will be minimized by the fact that he lines up against a stout group of linebackers on a daily basis. He will be charged with blocking the blind side of a fragile Peyton Manning, which also makes him the most important Bronco on this list as well.

Mike Carlson is a writer for RantSports.
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