Current Team O & D Players Drafted in First Two Rounds

[SpringStein]

As people have exclaimed how dominant a D we would have if we used our first two picks on a DE and a S, I started thinking about our curent "investments". Yea, I know D wins championships. But what is the threshold that needs to be crossed until you start investing a few more players with elite skills on the offensive side of the ball?

Players (starters) drafted in rounds 1/2 on O:
Jake: 2nd
Tatum: 2nd
Ashley: 1st
Foster: 1st

Players drafted in rounds 1/2 on D:
Pryce: 1st
Brown: 1st (I won't count Ekuban here as a 1st since he rotates)
Warren: 1st
Wilson: 1st
Gold: 2nd
DJ: 1st
Champ: 1st
Darrent: 2nd

So O has 2 firsts and 2 seconds. D has 6 firsts and 2 seconds.

I think Plummer was surprised at last year's draft, thinking he would get more help on his side of the ball. Not to complain (!) as things worked out nicely. But it does appear that we have invested a lot more $$$$$ (that typically is tied into draft position in early years) on the D.

Not sure what my point is - but just thought it is interesting. ;)

[SoCalBronco]

Great breakdown, Springstein.

I agree on Plummer, I remember reading a DPO article about a week or two before the draft where he said the team would go offense heavy. So im sure he was surprised when corner after corner were picked.

I also agree that we need an infusion of talent on offense. I dont think that the staff believes that Tater is the future here. He hasnt shown them he can do everything they need him to do. They love giving him 10-15 carries so he can rip off a few huge runs, but I just have a feeling that he isnt in their future plans so far as a major contract extension goes when his contract runs out two seasons from now. I wouldnt be surprised at all to see us go RB at 1A or 1B, provided that Lepsis, Warren and the DE situation is worked out to the staff's satisfaction prior to the draft. If we can keep both of the lines together and maybe add another quality DL in FA, we can go RB and WR in Round 1 to provide a big time infusion of talent on offense.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I am still thinking that the Broncs try to reolve most of their contract issues on the DL but still invest two first day picks on DL and spend most of the rest of the draft on Offense.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I am still thinking that the Broncs try to reolve most of their contract issues on the DL but still invest two first day picks on DL and spend most of the rest of the draft on Offense.

They need a safety that can hold his own in coverage. Both 1sts on D (Line and S), and then pretty much go O the rest of the way.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I don't disagree with the needs, but I think S will be the easiest deficiency to address in FA.

[NFLBRONCO]

As people have exclaimed how dominant a D we would have if we used our first two picks on a DE and a S, I started thinking about our curent "investments". Yea, I know D wins championships. But what is the threshold that needs to be crossed until you start investing a few more players with elite skills on the offensive side of the ball?

Players (starters) drafted in rounds 1/2 on O:
Jake: 2nd
Tatum: 2nd
Ashley: 1st
Foster: 1st

Players drafted in rounds 1/2 on D:
Pryce: 1st
Brown: 1st (I won't count Ekuban here as a 1st since he rotates)
Warren: 1st
Wilson: 1st
Gold: 2nd
DJ: 1st
Champ: 1st
Darrent: 2nd

So O has 2 firsts and 2 seconds. D has 6 firsts and 2 seconds.

I think Plummer was surprised at last year's draft, thinking he would get more help on his side of the ball. Not to complain (!) as things worked out nicely. But it does appear that we have invested a lot more $$$$$ (that typically is tied into draft position in early years) on the D.

Not sure what my point is - but just thought it is interesting. ;)




Nice post SS I agree with your views in a sense we do need to upgrade offense. I wonder though we are so close to having a very good D for years why not finish the job by adding a DE DT S then use rest of FA money and picks on offense. As long as we get Warren and Lepsis to stay they are our first priority. Pryce is a guy I'm not sure what will happen with him. I'm not sure he will restructure again this offseason.

[SoCalBronco]

Not sure we will take a safety high, either. Denver has done a good job for the most part scheming away the lack of talent at safety.

The Broncos are very similar to the Buccaneers, Bears, Colts and Jets in the respect that Coyer LOVES the 2 Deep "Robber" zone coverage (See Diagram 1) with the safeties over extending to the sideline to guard against corner routes from the inside and fade and post-corner routes from the outside. I really like how Coyer uses it to hide the lack of ranginess and athleticism of our safeties. Its unlike the Regular 2 Deep zone, where the two safeties are around the hash and they are expected to use their speed and ranginess to cover the three deep areas (See Diagram 2). With the 2 Robber, you put each of them in the outside third's already, your not even gambling that they can make it to the sideline before the ball does and you aren't worried about the deep middle because that MLB is dropping back deeper than usual. Again, Coyer is using schemes to highlight strengths and minimize weaknesses. Wilson is no regular MLB, although a bit undersized, he has big time speed for a MLB. He's no sludge in the shoes MLB, he can fly and get down there (Minnesota 2003 comes to mind when he broke up the deep post to Moss). The Defense creates a bit of a gap in the short area right over the ball, but most defenses are willing to give you 5-6 yds. a play and make you execute 10-12 plays in a row per series to get the points. The fact that we have good LB speed helps to minimize the YAC as well. We can live without rangy safeties, we can cover it up by scheme. From time to time we get exposed, obviously you cant stay in this coverage all the time, with that MLB dropping back deep your susceptible to draws, delays and traps as well as four vertical routes, but we are pretty effective with it most of the time. If we dont go with a big time safety early on, this is one of the reasons why.

Diagram 1 Coyer Cover Two
http://chucknduck.com/tampa2.gif


Diagram 2 Regular Cover Two
http://www.agca.asn.au/images/2deep.10.gif

[footstepsfrom#27]

D-line is the most critical need because it's the easiest to fall apart right now and the key to our defenses success. Pryce is declining and may leave, and Brown has been healthy so far but will that continue? Ekuban is mostly a situational guy and only Warren inside is top quality. We're aging and not that talented except in one or two spots. D-line is the toughest to fill outside the first round, especially top flight pass rushers. I think we should trade up in round 1 to garauntee one of the top three DL guys and if we can't, then take a 2nd tier guy, probably at DT since there are more of them available and grab one of those two tight ends at 31 if they're available. The receivers aren't worth a #1 IMO and a possession threat to help Rod is the main worry. That's better served with a TE than the available WR's. 2nd round we ought to look at a runner if a good one falls or an OL guy if one of the top guys slildes that far. If not we'll have scads of picks in the 3rd to find some OL guys so we should probably go safety in the 2nd.

[Mediator12]

Excellent post Socal.

They also have two or three cover safeties already. The nickle scheme Coyer uses varies, but often Sam Brandon and Curome Cox get coverage assignments.

Brandon Browner may fill the role Sam Brandon does with the big nickle next year. Curome Cox is a safety moonlighting as a nickle back. Hamza Abdullah is a decent young SS who I am interested to see in camp next year. Supposedly, he has excellent zone awareness that Ferguson has lacked at times this year.

Safety is a position that can be cultivated better than CB or DL. I would look for young DL way before safety.