With the Broncos officially starting training camp today, we are one step closer to everyone’s favorite season of the year, football season. With training camp, comes the excitement of a new season and a chance for Gary Kubiak and the Broncos to once again make a run at the Super Bowl.

The post-Peyton Manning era was supposed to be followed up with Brock Osweiller, but after the “Brockweiller decided to take his talents to (H-Town)”, opting to sign with the Houston Texans this offseason, the future of the franchise dramatically shifted.

Along with the departure of multiple key defensive pieces, a variety of new offensive linemen and draft picks, there will be competition for playing time at multiple positions throughout training camp and preseason.

Here is a look at some players that will need to have a good training camp this year, if they are going to have a shot at making the 53-man roster this season.

Juwan Thompson:

Since breaking out in the 2014 preseason, Thompson has had an up and down tenure in Denver. When healthy, Thompson has been an exciting back and a pleasant change of pace for the Broncos offense. Unfortunately that has been a rarity over the past few seasons.

The Broncos backfield is fairly crowded with C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman, Devontae Booker likely to make the squad, leaving competition between Thompson, Kapri Bibbs and Cyrus Gray for a possible roster spot.

Thompson can play both running back and fullback and his game really meshes well with the Kubiak offense. Thompson is great between the tackles and is a solid one-cut runner. Moving forward, Thompson’s versatility could be what earns him a spot on the roster.

With the ability to play in either backfield position, as well as what Thompson can contribute through special teams, the former Duke Blue Devil will have multiple chances to show what he can do.

Kapri Bibbs:

After spending the majority of the past two seasons on the practice squad, Bibbs is hoping to breakout and make a name for himself this summer.

In his one season at Colorado State, Bibbs was one of the most dominant running backs in the country. Bibbs showed flashes of what he could do last preseason, but unfortunately for Bibbs, the selection of Booker may have sealed his fate.

Bibbs has not seen legitimate playing time in the NFL, so most of what we know about him is from his time at CSU, as well at the past two preseasons. Coming into the NFL, Bibbs struggled with pass protection, which is an area that the young back will have to prove he has made significant progress in. Bibbs will also need to show the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, something he virtually never did collegiately.

Where Bibbs stands out is between the tackles. Bibbs runs hard and is deceptively shifty between the tackles. He has excellent vision and the ability to run through arm tackles. Obviously Bibbs’ chances of making the roster are slim, but many Broncos fans are hoping to see the hometown kid remain with the orange and blue.

Cody Latimer:

Since being selected in the second round in 2014, Latimer has essentially been nonexistent in the Denver offense, recording only eight receptions over the past two seasons. Coming out of Indiana, the expectations for Latimer were extremely high, but after two disappointing seasons, 2016 could be a make or break year for Latimer.

Latimer has all the physical tools to exceed in the NFL. Listed at 6’2, 215 lbs, he has the frame and strength to be a dominant force. Latimer has excellent speed and is revered as a terrific run-blocker, which makes him a perfect fit for the Broncos offense.

The reality is the Broncos will give Latimer every chance in the world to succeed this summer after spending a second round pick on the young receiver.

Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are obvious locks on the outside, but there is a lot of room for young receivers to step up this season. Will 2016 finally be the year Latimer lives up to his potential?

Mark Sanchez:

Sanchez will likely be the starter when the Broncos open the season against the Carolina Panthers Sept. 8, but his starting position is certainly not secure at this point. Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch will both be in the mix for the starting position and if Sanchez struggles in camp and especially preseason, the quarterback position very well could be up for grabs.

Sanchez is not the QB of the future and in all likelihood is a short-term placeholder for Lynch, while the first round draft pick develops. That being said, Sanchez has an opportunity to revamp his career in the best situation he has ever been in since coming into the league.

If Denver can run the ball effectively and not turn the ball over, Sanchez will be in a great position to succeed. The greatest asset of this team is still defense. If Sanchez can manage the game, distribute the ball to Sanders and Thomas, while relying on the run-game, he will be in a position to succeed.

When Sanchez took the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship appearances, Sanchez was in a position where he could rely on the run game and their shutdown defense. Sanchez is in a similar situation now and it all begins with this summer.

Sanchez has said all the right things this offseason. Training camp will give the veteran QB a chance to back up what he has been claiming and prove that he can be a leader for this team, even if it’s only temporarily.