Drafting Garrett Bolles in the first round last night sent a message to Ty Sambrailo, Donald Stephenson and every other recent Broncos lineman drafted: Step up or step out.

Simply, a team who wants to win every game they compete in doesn’t waste first-round picks. That left tackle position, the second-most important spot on offense after quarterback, is Bolles’ to lose.

For eight years (2008-2015), that spot was reserved for Ryan Clady. Clady was not only a perennial Pro Bowler, but an All-Pro four times, too. Even when he hit his prime early and struggled slightly later on, he was solid, an afterthought due to his consistency.

Although, that 2013 season-ending injury was a sign of things to come, and there was a repeat in 2015. Sambrailo of Colorado State University was thrust into the job in 2015, thrown into the fire, and he somehow survived. Until he tore the labrum in his shoulder and was placed on injured reserve. Ryan Harris, who had played mostly right tackle at the time, had to fill-in on the offensive line, which was the weakest component of that Super Bowl 50 winning team.

In 2016, the job was Russell Okung’s. The veteran played so-so, with far too many penalties and pressures allowed to be considered “the guy.” He’s gone. And Stephenson, who started 12 games at right tackle last year, looks to be on his way out of town, too. He took a pay-cut just before the league year began which included a roster bonus if he’s to make the final, 53-man roster. Which means, unless he somehow out-performs Bolles at left tackle, his non-natural position, Stephenson will likely be cut, sooner or later.

In fact, the turnover at tackles is indicative of Elway’s tenure with the Broncos. Since he took over in 2011, there have been 18 – eighteen – different offensive linemen to start for the team. It’s forever been a work in progress and Bolles better represent a solution to that problem. A team can’t waste a first-round pick, the job is Bolles’ to lose.

Matt Paradis stands out as the lone, great o-lineman Elway’s drafted. Michael Schofield, Philip Blake, Connor McGovern, Vinston Painter, Sambrailo; a list of five could-be misses in six drafts. Max Garcia, the other lineman Elway’s taken, looks to be panning out, too, and will almost certainly start at guard again this year.

That means there will be three Elway draft picks as starters, likely, in Bolles, Garcia and Paradis and the other two will be free agents the Broncos GM signed in the offseason, in Menelik Watson and Ronald Leary.

Hey, this is Elway’s team, Elway’s town. But fans may turn on him if he can’t finally fix that damn o-line.

Broncos fans have to hope Garrett Bolles over the competition while starting at left tackle.