Editor’s: One in a series looking at the position groups for the Broncos heading into training camp. Today: offensive line.

Broncos offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave was likely prophetic during last month’s offseason program when he was asked about the importance of establishing a starting offensive line.

“An offensive line operates best when they can work together as a unit,” he said. “Right now, we’re not a unit and we’ll look forward to that day late in the summer.”

Musgrave is right — it won’t be early in training camp, which begins Friday.

But how late in the summer?

The Broncos aren’t ready to declare a starting right guard, should have concerns about left guard Ron Leary’s knee issues and will be cautiously optimistic about right tackle Jared Veldheer’s return from last December’s broken foot.

Instability at three of the five positions is not ideal, particularly because the Broncos spent only one of their 10 draft picks (sixth-round guard Sam Jones) on a lineman. They’re counting on their top guys to get and stay healthy and have faith in a bunch of backups who finished last year with the team.

If Leary and Veldheer make it through the preseason healthy, the Broncos should feel they have improved a group that was mostly to blame for allowing 52 sacks last year.

An ideal plan is to have the starting five set by the third preseason game at Washington on Aug. 24, at the latest.

“We have to come together,” center Matt Paradis said. “It takes all those reps playing with each other to get that unity and the cohesiveness so you’re not tripping over each other’s feet.”

The healthy starters entering camp are Paradis and left tackle Garett Bolles. Paradis, in the final year of his contract, has not missed a snap in three years as a starter. Related Articles 🔊 Broncos podcast: Previewing Denver’s must-win Week 3 home showdown against Tampa Bay

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“It’s been an exciting offseason because I haven’t been able to work out (until now) to build strength since (around) my sophomore year of college,” said Paradis, who had dual hip surgeries after the 2016 season.

Bolles enters his second year after starting every game in 2017. If he takes a big step forward, the Broncos feel left tackle will be solidified for several seasons.

And now for the uncertainty.

The Broncos have churned through right tackles since Orlando Franklin concluded his three-year run in 2013. Three starters in 2014, two apiece in 2015-16 and three last year.

Enter the 31-year old Veldheer, who started nine games at right tackle and four at left tackle for Arizona last year before sustaining a foot injury that required surgery and months of rehabilitation. He missed the entire offseason program.

“Issues or no issues (at right tackle), I want to be that guy no matter what,” Veldheer said.

Shortly after he was acquired for a sixth-round pick, Veldheer began mentoring Bolles. Related Articles 🔊 Broncos podcast: Previewing Denver’s must-win Week 3 home showdown against Tampa Bay

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“Him watching and telling me what to do and just cheering me on and pushing me (has been beneficial),” Bolles said. “A great mentor. I can learn from him.”

Max Garcia lined up at left guard next to Bolles last season and stayed there during the offseason program when Leary (last year’s right guard who has moved to the left side) was held out. Garcia wants a shot to compete at right guard with Connor McGovern and Menelik Watson, but that may be compromised if he has to play left guard if Leary is held out.

Of Leary, Bolles said: “I’m counting on him being next to me. I’m grateful I have a vet like that who is very consistent in what he does and is a great leader. I’m excited to learn from him and form something special on that left side for a long time.”

McGovern and Watson rotated first-team right guard snaps during the offseason program. Based on experience, McGovern, who started the final four games last sseason, would seem to be the favorite because Watson is playing guard for the first time as a pro.

Thursday: Special teams.

Denver Broncos offensive line

No. Player Pos. Age Year Ht./Wt. College 60 Connor McGovern G/C 25 3rd 6-4/306 Missouri 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2019 Cap number: $695,975 Expected to compete for starting right guard spot with Menelik Watson and possibly Max Garcia. 61 Matt Paradis C 28 4th 6-3/300 Boise State 2017 team: Broncos Signed through Cap number: $ Former sixth-round pick spent 2014 on practice squad and did not miss a snap from 2015-17. 63 Leon Johnson T 23 R 6-6/300 Temple 2017 team: Temple Signed through 2020 Cap number: $483,333 Started 10 games at LT, 20 at RT and one at LG in college career so versatility is a plus. 64 J.J. Dielman G 24 2nd 6-5/309 Utah 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2018 Cap number: $562,500 Fifth-round pick by Bengals was cut by Cincinnati and Rams before landing with Broncos in December. 65 Ron Leary G 29 7th 6-3/320 Memphis 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2020 Cap number: $8,796,875 The right guard last year, expected to start at left guard this year. Missed OTA/minicamp (knee). 66 Jared Veldheer T 31 9th 6-8/321 Hillsdale 2017 team: Arizona Signed through 2018 Cap number: $6,906,250 Ninety-one of his 101 starts have been at LT, but will start at RT. Missed offseason program (foot). 68 Elijah Wilkinson T 23 2nd 6-6/329 Massachusetts 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2018 Cap number: $555,000 Played in nine games last year (no starts). Started 33 college games at right tackle. 70 Sam Jones G 22 R 6-5/290 Arizona State 2017 team: Arizona State Signed through 2021 Cap number: $522,139 Highlands Ranch native was sixth-round pick. Started 25 games in college, mostly at LG. 71 Austin Schlottmann G 22 R 6-6/300 SMU 2017 team: SMU Signed through 2020 Cap number: $481,666 Undrafted free agent started eight games at C and six at RG last year. Twenty-nine college starts. 72 Garett Bolles T 26 2nd 6-5/300 Utah 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2020 Cap number: $2,507,303 Will start at left tackle and figures to benefit from having Leary at left guard. Started every game in ’17. 73 Andreas Knappe T 27 1st 6-8/315 Connecticut 2017 team: Indianapolis Signed through 2018 Cap number: $480,000 Spent last year on practice squads in Washington and Indianapolis. Started 32 college games at RT. 74 Jeremiah Poutasi T 23 3rd 6-5/330 Utah 2017 team: L.A. Rams Signed through 2018 Cap number: $630,000 A third-round pick just three years ago, the Broncos are already his fourth NFL team (eight starts). 75 Menelik Watson G 29 6th 6-5/315 Florida 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2019 Cap number: $7,177,083 Started seven games at RT before foot injury. Worked at RG during offseason program. 76 Max Garcia G 26 4th 6-4/309 Florida 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2018 Cap number: $1,993,422 Starting LG last two years, could slide over to RG competition if Leary is healthy and plays LG. 77 Billy Turner G/T 26 5th 6-5/310 North Dakota 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2018 Cap number: $2,000,000 Limited to one game in ’17 (hand). Could be an option as swing man who can play tackle and guard. 79 Cyrus Kouandjio T 25 5th 6-7/325 Alabama 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2018 Cap number: $790,000 Former second-round pick of Buffalo (’13), joined Broncos last November and started one game at RT.

Source: overthecap.com for salary information.