The Miami Dolphins took Michael Deiter in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft, needing him to instantly fill up a spot on their interior offensive line. He came into that year with meaningful expectations, but over the course of four years with the team he failed to meet them. While some fans wouldn’t necessarily call him a “bust”, many would.
After starting in 15 of 16 games at left guard his rookie season, he would be made to transition to center over the offseason, and while he dressed for all 16 games, he really only saw the field as a special teamer. In 2021 he would regain a starting spot, this time as the team’s center, and he would start in eight games until he suffered a foot injury that put him on injured reserve and ended his season. It’s good to note that most people noticed a legitimate improvement in ability compared to the previous two seasons.
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In year four he would return to a backup role, only logging snaps on special teams. He would not have his contract extended and would then sign with the Houston Texans. In 2023 he would start 12 consecutive games at center for Houston, including two playoff games after the starting center (who was playing in replacement of the original starting center) went down with a broken leg.
He then played two seasons in Washington, starting in two games in 2024 when the starting guard was injured.
He signed with the Broncos in January of 2026.
Michael Deiter | Offensive Lineman | Denver Broncos
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Deiter’s rookie contract did not play out in the way as he hoped and has now found himself squarely in a backup position, maybe for the rest of his career. But when he has been needed, he’s been a pretty good stop-gap player for these teams, especially when he was in Houston, helping protect C.J. Stroud during his Rookie-of-the-Year campaign. He will have to fight hard for a spot on this Denver roster though.
One of the biggest strengths of this team is their depth at the offensive line position. You’d be hard pressed to name teams that boast a better room than Denver does. And while that’s great for the organization, for those guys on the roster bubble this means training camp might be a blood bath. And what also complicates things for Deiter is interior offensive lineman and 2024 draft pick Nick Gargiulo coming back from an ACL injury he suffered in the 2025 preseason. Gargiulo is licked by the coaching staff and likely still has a future on this team, and he can play both center and guard, like Deiter.
The Broncos also already have two backup centers on the roster, primarily Alex Forsyth, but Calvin Throckmorton was on the active roster as the backup center while Forsyth was starting in place of Luke Wattenberg.
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Michael Deiter’s abilities might be good enough to land him on the practice squad for the Broncos, but he will have a tough time competing for that spot, let alone a place on the active roster.
