INDIANAPOLIS -- In what is a high-priority search for offensive linemen, the Denver Broncos didn't get to see at least one of the big guys they're interested in at work at the NFL combine.

Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk was not among the offensive linemen who went through onfield workouts Friday inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Ramczyk is one of the most highly rated tackles on the draft board, so he is certainly on the Broncos' radar.

He also had hip surgery after the Badgers played in the Cotton Bowl, so he is still recovering.

"It's been really good, it's been really positive," Ramczyk said. "It's been eight weeks now of recovery. Feeling really healthy, and I'll be back in California training and rehabbing after this. The surgeon was actually there for medical check-ups and he said it looks really clean, really good."

The Broncos had a formal face-to-face interviews with Ramczyk before the offensive linemen concluded their time in Indianapolis. Ramczyk said the Broncos' decision-makers "had a lot of questions."

Denver has the 20th overall pick, followed by the 51st overall pick (19th in the second round) but Ramczyk is not expected to be available by the time the Broncos get to their second-round pick. Their decision on him, post-hip surgery, will have to be based on what they learned and what they've already seen on video.

Broncos coach Vance Joseph said Ramczyk's potential could make him a tough get even with the 20th pick.

"He plays like a NFL guy," Joseph said at the combine. "He's got long arms. He's got great feet. He's tough and smart. He's definitely a guy most teams are looking at. It's going to be tough to acquire a guy like that at 20, probably."

With Joseph having hired Geep Chryst as the tight ends coach, the Broncos have quality intel on Ramczyk: Chryst's brother, Paul, is coach at Wisconsin. Ramczyk said this week he continues to do upper body and cardiovascular work but is still limited in his movements overall.

"It cuts into, obviously, the lower body [training]," Ramczyk said. "I can't do any agility drills or heavy squats or anything like that. I'm still training upper body fully and getting some cardio ... so it's a good process."

Asked if he believed he would be ready for a team's training camp, Ramczyk said: "I should absolutely be clear by training camp, hopefully OTAs, not positive yet."

Ramczyk, Alabama's Cam Robinson and Utah's Garett Bolles are considered the top tackle prospects in this draft. At least two of three of them could well have been selected by the time the Broncos' pick comes up at 20. In John Elway's previous six drafts as the Broncos' top football decision-maker, he has taken just one offensive player with the opening pick -- quarterback Paxton Lynch last April.

The Broncos also haven't taken an offensive lineman in the first round since Ryan Clady in 2008.