Editor’s note: In addition to our overarching observations every day, throughout Broncos’ training camp, we will be picking at least one position battle each practice to focus in on. We’ll give an in-depth look at how the battle looked that day, and where each of the competitors stand in the race.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Five days into camp and one position battle is as much of a done deal as there can possibly be at this time in training camp.

Last year, much as this year, there was a guard position up for grabs during camp, as well. However, instead of making a decision, the team let Max Garcia and Allen Barbre battle it out the entire season, each splitting reps during games.

It’s clear that will not be the case this year. Entering camp, the right guard position was up for grabs with the two major contestants being Menelik Watson and Connor McGovern.

Through five days, it’s one man’s job.

What we saw today

Wednesday’s practice — the second in full pads — was an excellent example of exactly how the right guard position has unfolded so far in camp, with the first play all but giving the drama away.

With Case Keenum dropping back from under center, Denver’s defensive line began to cave in on the 6-foot-1 quarterback from nearly all sides. The only area that completely held ground was the grass occupied under McGovern’s feet.

What was even more impressive than him being the only player to not move backward on the pass protection was he was going up against Derek Wolfe, defensive coordinator Joe Woods’ best defensive lineman.

Throughout the rest of practice, McGovern faced many more battles with Wolfe, only allowing Wolfe to noticeably push him back twice. Even on those plays, however, McGovern never let Wolfe get within a yard of Keenum either time, and one of those plays went for a touchdown through the air.

Without getting bogged down in offensive-line detail, McGovern moved incredibly well with Paradis and Jared Veldheer on each side of him, showing early chemistry with the two named starters.

Listed at 6-foot-4, 306 pounds, McGovern looks lean and has the speed to be an effective pull guard, but also has the strength — he once squatted 700 pounds and had the second-most bench presses among offensive lineman at the combine — to not get pushed around.

So far at camp, he’s showed both of those to be true going up against the likes of Wolfe, Domata Peko and Shelby Harris, to name a few of Denver’s stellar front-seven players.

McGovern’s biggest play of the day came during a goal-line period when Royce Freeman could have walked into the end zone after McGovern and Veldheer parted the seas as McGovern completely cut off defensive lineman from getting outside and Veldheer drove his outside linebacker to the numbers.

Against lesser competition throughout most of the day, Watson struggled more than McGovern.

At 6-foot-5, 315-pounds, Watson’s frame looks even bigger on the field. At times on Wednesday that massive frame helped him, especially in run blocking, but, other times, it made it difficult for him to move around inside.

When he tried to get to the second level to cut off a linebacker on a run play, his feet got tangled in the middle of the field and he went down.

In pass protection, Watson was surprisingly pushed back more often than one would think due to his size. The most surprising was when DeMarcus Walker drove him into the backfield. To Watson’s credit, he didn’t give up a sack on the day and didn’t really come close to doing so, either.

Going up against Walker, Zach Kerr and Kyle Peko for a significant amount of the day, Watson won many of his battles, but also had his struggles.

How it stands now

Five practices in the books and McGovern — who started five games last year at right guard in place of an injured Ron Leary — has yet to take a second-team snap.

In fact, the only time McGovern hasn’t been Matt Paradis’ right-hand man — literally — was when he was filling in for Paradis at center as Paradis received a breather. That, too, was the only time Watson has filled in for McGovern.

On top of all of this, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave gave high praise to the first-team offensive line, including McGovern, adding, “We want to keep them working together so they can have a good collaboration and they can really work as a unit. That’s the key for the O-line — all five of those guys working together, not individually.”

Barring an injury, a drastic McGovern meltdown, or miraculous Menelik rise, this competition is in the books.

What initially seemed to be one of the most competitive races entering training camp now doesn’t even feel like a race at all.

What they’re saying about it

Domata Peko on what he’s seen from McGovern at right guard

“I like Connor. Connor is a strong dude. He’s probably one of the stronger guys in the weight room on our team. I’m really excited to see what he does for us this year because I know big Ron [Leary] is pretty much solidified there at the guard spot, but I know they’re looking for the other guard area and I think Connor has a good chance of doing that.”

Ron Leary on Connor McGovern

“He’s improving every day. He takes the job seriously and he comes out here and works every day. He wants to be great. He’s working every day to be great. I’ve got a lot of respect for that.”

Bill Musgrave on Connor McGovern

“Good. Connor’s playing well. Again, that’s another cross trained candidate between center and guard.”