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The Denver Broncos mandated DeMarcus Walker bulk up this offseason. That was a big weight off his mind.

As a rookie last season Mike Hughes Jersey Vikings , Walker slimmed down to about 238 pounds in order to be more of an outside pass rushing threat. This season, he's back at 280 and playing inside along the defensive line.

He feels this should tip the scales back in his favor. After all, it's a similar weight from when he flourished at Florida State and became a second-round pick.

"Knowing what weight to play at, what I'm playing 鈥?smooth sailing," Walker said. "Just do my job and get better every day."

Walker began slimming down as a contingency plan when linebacker Shane Ray suffered a left wrist injury in training camp last July. Denver's defense features a 3-4 scheme and it's predicated on a multitude of pass rushers to assist Von Miller.

The 23-year-old Walker struggled at times with his new assignment and played in just 10 games with one sack (Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes in the season finale). It was a difficult transition as his role sometimes required him to help out in coverage, which he hadn't done since his sophomore year in college.

"I had to refresh my brain and my body," Walker said. "I wasn't the best at it. But I can do it."

Now, he's on more solid ground. These days, he heads into the defensive line room with the likes of Derek Wolfe (285 pounds), Adam Gotsis (282), Shelby Harris (290), Domata Peko (325) and Zach Kerr (334).

"It's kind of funny, they still try to call me light," Walker said. "It's all fun and games."

He bulked up over the last few months by eating four to five meals a day. Going back to Florida and dining on his mom's cooking helped as well.

As it turns out Giants Authentic Jerseys , he's not a bad cook himself. His specialties?

"Love lobster and shrimp," he said. "Love seafood."

He's listed as a defensive end on the roster. But ask him what position he plays and he grins.

"Athlete," he said. "Just say athlete."

Among his roles during the workouts is helping rookie pass rusher Bradley Chubb get up to speed. He's learning plenty from Chubb as well when they play side by side.

"Just how to take advantage of the offensive line. I think we're undefeated right now," Walker cracked of the two of them getting the best of their counterparts in offseason practice.

While at Florida State, Walker had 164 tackles, 28 陆 sacks, eight forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. That was playing mostly with his "hand in the ground," he said.

That wasn't always the case a season ago when he had seven tackles and spent six games as an inactive.

Feel like the forgotten rusher heading into this season? "Nah," he said. "I'll wake them up. Trust me."

His coaches certainly appreciate what he brings to the table.

"He's improving," defensive coordinator Joe Woods said. "Last year, he was a versatile player for us.

"Right now, we said, 'Hey, you're a defensive lineman.' So Authentic Trent Brown Jersey , he's put the weight on. ... I got on the scale with him 鈥?or watched him get on the scale 鈥?he was up to 278, and he's really making some tremendous improvements."

Definitely a step in the right direction.

"To me, if he's in the 270s or 280s, that's good enough for us, to play the defensive end position and to play as an inside rusher," Woods said.

Defensive line coach Bill Kollar will take it from there.

"He understands what Bill wants," Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. "Bill's obviously a demanding coach, so being with Bill has helped DeMarcus play harder, and obviously being bigger is going to help him play better for us."

NOTES: OL Garett Bolles plans to play this upcoming season between 300 and 305 pounds. "Just so I can anchor when I get those bull rushes and things like that," Bolles said. "Feel more comfortable there. Feel more explosive and powerful there." Bolles was in the vicinity of 290-295 in his rookie season.

The Atlanta Falcons will be searching for the final piece of the offensive line charged with protecting Matt Ryan when they open their preseason schedule at the New York Jets.

Right guard is the only position on the line without a set starter, and that will be a key competition coach Dan Quinn will be watching closely in Friday night's game.

Decisions also have to be made at fullback and defensive end.

Protecting Ryan, the 2016 NFL MVP with a new five-year contract extension that could be worth as much as $150 million, makes finding the best starting right guard a priority.

Wes Schweitzer was listed ahead of Brandon Fusco, perhaps Atlanta's top free-agent acquisition this offseason Jerome Baker Jersey Elite , at right guard on the team's first depth chart released this week. The two have rotated with the first-team offense during training camp.

Schweitzer's expected start against the Jets may be based on his 16 starts with Atlanta last season.

Fusco started all 16 games for San Francisco last season.

"I just want to build continuity with everyone, get comfortable with everyone and with this offense," Fusco said following Wednesday's practice.

"I miss the game-day feeling and will be excited when I'm out there. Hopefully it's enough to prove to them I can be the starter of this team at right guard and help this team win."

Schweitzer said this has been "the best camp I've ever had, definitely the best offensive camp I've ever been a part of. I feel we're really clicking right now and really pushing for it. It's just been a really good camp."

Ricky Ortiz is expected to start ahead of Luke McNitt at fullback. The remaining competitions on offense are for backup roles, including a third running back behind Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Candidates include rookie Ito Smith and Terrence Magee.

Coach Dan Quinn also is looking at tight ends competing behind projected starter Austin Hooper. Eric Saubert, a fifth-round pick in 2017 who had no catches as a rookie, has impressed the coach in camp.

"He's somebody who certainly has our attention at tight end," Quinn said Wednesday.

"He's really turning into the pass-catching tight end that I'd hoped we would see. ... He's long, he's fast and I now see the athlete."

Quinn said Saubert (6-5, 253) is more confident in his second season. He said Saubert pressed as a rookie and "wasn't allowing himself to be the athlete that he is."

The Falcons did not re-sign tight end Levine Toilolo, who is now with Detroit. Veteran Logan Paulsen is best known for his blocking skills. That leaves an opening for Saubert to emerge as another target for quarterback Matt Ryan.

Saubert must do more than show his skills as a receiver. All players competing for backup spots, including at running back and tight end, must prove they can contribute on special teams.

Second-year defensive end Takkarist McKinley , trying to earn a starting role Andre Ethier Jersey , is expected to play after being limited for about a week with a bruised right shoulder. McKinley returned for full participation on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"He was good," Quinn said. "What I was looking for, like with any guy, was there any hesitancy? He had none. So he responded the right way and was chomping at the bit to get back."

NOTES: LG Andy Levitre and his wife, Katie, who carried pink and blue balloons, had a unique baby gender reveal following practice. With players standing around the couple, Levitre held a sign that said "A Gatorade shower will let us see." Other offensive linemen poured two coolers filled with the blue sports drink over Levitre's head 鈥?so he and his wife are expecting a boy. Players then cheered. ... Quinn confirmed PK Matt Bryant (undisclosed injury) and OT Ty Sambrailo (right hand) will not play against the Jets. "We'll get them back into the fold next week," Quinn said.

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