HOUSTON -- A year ago, Ben Garland watched the Super Bowl with a mixture of disappointment and pride bubbling inside him.

The Denver Broncos were in Super Bowl 50, after all, but Garland was no longer with his former teammates after having been released at the end of training camp in 2015.

"It was tough, not being part of it," Garland said. "I had spent so much time there, I’m from Colorado, I thought it was my best chance to make the roster, so I was bummed they let me go. But at the same time, I was so happy for my brothers -- guys like Von [Miller], Matt Paradis, all those guys. But this is definitely a different experience."

Falcons offensive lineman Ben Garland has forged an NFL career with toughness and versatility. He worked at several positions on both sides of the ball while with Denver. Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

This time, a year later, Garland is in the Super Bowl swirl as a reserve offensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons. He will be in uniform for Super Bowl LI after a long and winding road to get there.

He was a Broncos find, invited to training camp as an undrafted rookie in 2010. The Grand Junction, Colorado, native is an Air Force Academy graduate who served two years of active duty in the Air Force before he spent two seasons on the Broncos' practice squad.

He made Denver's active roster in 2014 after a transition from high-effort but undersized defensive lineman to offensive lineman-in-training. The Broncos played him at guard -- he opened training camp in '14 as a starter -- but many around the team saw his future at center.

The Falcons have used him of late as center Alex Mack's backup. With Mack limited some in practice thus far this week, Garland has taken additional snaps in practice.

"I heard that a lot," Garland said. "[Former Broncos guard Chris] Kuper used to tell me that all the time. He would say, 'You’d make a great center. You should move there.' So I guess he was right. But I think it’s my favorite.

"As a D-lineman, you never think about playing over there, on offense, especially at this level to switch positions, to switch sides of the ball, learn a different craft against the best in the world. That’s not going to be your thought process."

On Tuesday, Falcons coach Dan Quinn lauded Garland’s effort, drive, intelligence and willingness to multitask. Garland spent most of the 2015 season on the Falcons' practice squad before he made the roster this past season.

"He’s one that has a special spot on our team. He’s a man of great character, and the work ethic is what sets him apart," Quinn said. "He’s somebody that’s going to be there early, and he’s going to stay late ... We’ve been really pleased with his development. He’s earned the respect of the other teammates because of that work ethic that he brings each day. He’s been a real factor for us."

Garland said this week that, in a game, he has lined up various times at tight end, fullback, center, both guard spots, defensive tackle and defensive end.

On Sunday, when the Falcons attempt to win the franchise’s first title, Garland will line up in a Super Bowl a full calendar year after he watched his former teammates win one for the Broncos. It's all an improbable ride built on determination and opportunity.

"My whole family is coming in," he said. "It’s been hard work, the discipline ... There are definitely days you get frustrated. You work your tail day in, day out for years and years, and you just want it to happen."