My 1st Projected Broncos Mock

[27atwater]

Round 1, #22 (from wash) Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
Round 1, #30 Santonio Holmes/Chad Jackson/Derek Hagan, WR, Ohio State/Florida/Arizona State
Round 2. Greg Eslinger/Nick Mangold, C, Minnesota/Ohio State
Round 3 Mark Setterstrom, G, Minnesota
Round 3 (COMP?) Dante Whitner, S, Ohio State
Round 4 (from wash) Kyle Williams/Babatunde Oshinowo, DT, LSU/Stanford
Round 4 Jerious Norwood, RB, Mississippi State
Round 5 Gerrick McPhearson, CB, Maryland/Eric Henderson, DE, Georgia Tech
Round 6 Dwayne Slay, S, Texas Tech
Round 7 Barrick Nealy/Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Texas State/Alabama State

This would fill the needs at DE and WR and add depth and youth at S and OL.

Jerious Norwood is a HUGE sleeper coming out of Mississippi State. Decent size and runs a 4.38 40. I LOVE both Minnesota linemen since they are a good value due to their size...especially for us since they play a zone blocking scheme at UM.

Whitner and Slay are both big time college players. I think slay was Big12 defender of the year. I like our safeties now, but some competition and youth to eventually replace Lynch is needed.

Gerrick McPhearson may not be necessary at CB, but ya have to look at the success of the maryland defenders the past few years and think he may be worth a shot. Kris jenkins, merriman, Foxworth, The bengals safety (name escapes me).

[Hercules Rockefeller]

No 7th, but probably another comp on the 2nd day

[footstepsfrom#27]

Including the comp picks, if we don't trade up in this draft it looks like we'll have about 12-13 picks. No way that many players make this team. Let's say that 7 don't make it and 5 do. Would you rather have those five guys be sprinkled into the lower rounds or come out of the top 3 rounds? Obviously we want better tallent. We should be able to leverage the bottom rounds into extra picks in the middle rounds and leverage the wealth of middle round picks into a couple extra higher picks. If we play this thing right we could come out of this with a top 10 pick and still have another 1st rounder plus several more on the first day in the top 3 rounds. I think quality over quality at key positions is how you win Superbowls. Every team has a 3rd round draft pick that sticks at safety or linebacker...but they don't win a Superbowl with them. In the most outlandish of all worlds I'd like to have Vince Young...but I think a more realistic thought is getting Mario Williams or Ngata. We may not see this much power in the draft when we're winning for a long time and I'd hate to see us drafting a big heard of player that just wind up on somebody elses roster anyway. That's why I think we should trade up.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Again, this isn't Madden. Teams aren't going to give up higher picks for a number of lower round picks. Also, this is a veteran team and it has depth issues. There are going to be holes on the offensive line within a year or two, there are no LBs signed for next year besides the starters, the safeties are only decent and aging, the WRs are nothing special after Rod, and Dayne is a FA, MA is old, and Tatum hasn't shown he can carry the load on his own yet.

[Rascal]

Care to look up how many round 4 or later players that the Pats have had starting during their SB's footsteps or are you just going to pull that sentence out of your ass "every team has a 3rd round draft pick that sticks at...."

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Round 1, #22 (from wash) Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
Round 1, #30 Santonio Holmes/Chad Jackson/Derek Hagan, WR, Ohio State/Florida/Arizona State
Round 2. Greg Eslinger/Nick Mangold, C, Minnesota/Ohio State
Round 3 Mark Setterstrom, G, Minnesota
Round 3 (COMP?) Dante Whitner, S, Ohio State
Round 4 (from wash) Kyle Williams/Babatunde Oshinowo, DT, LSU/Stanford
Round 4 Jerious Norwood, RB, Mississippi State
Round 5 Gerrick McPhearson, CB, Maryland/Eric Henderson, DE, Georgia Tech
Round 6 Dwayne Slay, S, Texas Tech
Round 7 Barrick Nealy/Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Texas State/Alabama State

This would fill the needs at DE and WR and add depth and youth at S and OL.

Jerious Norwood is a HUGE sleeper coming out of Mississippi State. Decent size and runs a 4.38 40. I LOVE both Minnesota linemen since they are a good value due to their size...especially for us since they play a zone blocking scheme at UM.

Whitner and Slay are both big time college players. I think slay was Big12 defender of the year. I like our safeties now, but some competition and youth to eventually replace Lynch is needed.

Gerrick McPhearson may not be necessary at CB, but ya have to look at the success of the maryland defenders the past few years and think he may be worth a shot. Kris jenkins, merriman, Foxworth, The bengals safety (name escapes me).

That would not upset me. Some nice players in there at least thru your first 4 rounds. I would like to see an additional DL on the first day.

[27atwater]

thanx man. after watching this game 2nite, it reinforces my desire to get Hali.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

thanx man. after watching this game 2nite, it reinforces my desire to get Hali.

He needs the weight room and to learn some more moves, but I think he could be a diamond in the rough. I've got one toe on the bandwagon.

[SoCalBronco]

No way in hell does Donte Whitner last to the end of the third.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Care to look up how many round 4 or later players that the Pats have had starting during their SB's footsteps or are you just going to pull that sentence out of your ass "every team has a 3rd round draft pick that sticks at...."
Care to look at where their starting D-linemen were drafted?

Ty Warren: 13th/ 1st round
Richard Seymour: 6th/ 1st round
Vince Wilfork: 21st/ 1st round

Impact defensive linemen are usually found high in the draft, and that's where we need to focus IMO. Think before you bark little doggie.

[Rascal]

Care to look at where their starting D-linemen were drafted?

Ty Warren: 13th/ 1st round
Richard Seymour: 6th/ 1st round
Vince Wilfork: 21st/ 1st round

Impact defensive linemen are usually found high in the draft, and that's where we need to focus IMO. Think before you bark little doggie.

Try again pal. I know where they were drafted.

You said, "Every team has a 3rd round draft pick that sticks at safety or linebacker...but they don't win a Superbowl with them"

[footstepsfrom#27]

Try again pal. I know where they were drafted.

You said, "Every team has a 3rd round draft pick that sticks at safety or linebacker...but they don't win a Superbowl with them"
You're being far to literal. The point isn't "safety and linebacker" are positions that can't be filled in the middle rounds...that's obviously not true...it's that finding a garaunteed high impact player...ie; quality over quantity...is more likely in top of the draft. I want to go after the D-line guys we'll need if Pryce leaves or Brown gets hurt and IMO that means trading up to have the best chance.

[27atwater]

No way in hell does Donte Whitner last to the end of the third.


He's only 5'10" with a history of injuries. he's only listed as the 8th best Safety if he comes out. he could very well last that long. His heigth may kill him draftwise. He is a stud in college, but scouts don't always think that will translate to the pro game if ya lack the physical build. He COULD be there.

[meangene]

He needs the weight room and to learn some more moves, but I think he could be a diamond in the rough. I've got one toe on the bandwagon.

After last night I have one foot on the bandwagon. What a motor!!

[27atwater]

And don't forget, PSU has ZERO DLine depth. he plays ALL GAME, EVERY GAME! He gets NO rest. The most he can wish for is a 3 down line set to give him a breather for 1 or 2 plays MAX in the 4th quarter...and they take turns trying to rest guys doing that. He is the real deal. Imagine him with fresher legs in the 4th quarter.

I have Terps season tix, but live in Lion country. I have seen A LOT of each of these teams. Hali will be a stud, as will Posluzny and Anwar Phillips for PSU. At UMD, they guy who impresses me to no end is the TE, Vernon Davis. Take it from a guy who watched EVERY home game for UMD, he is the real deal too. The last guy i felt this strongly about was some kid named Merriman. Another Terp to watch is D'Qwell Jackson, LB. Great motor and fabulous tackler. Considered small, but is ALWAYS at the ball.

For future refernece, I can give very thorough, detailed and unbiased reviews of Tennessee, PSU, UMD, Pitt, and Ohio State. I try to keep a good knowledge of all prospects, but these 5 teams I follow VERY closely. I'm a UT fan, again, have the terps tix, live in PA and grew up on the PA/Ohio border, attending Youngstown State University...Tressel's former team. If ya have any questions about these teams, I'm yer guy. I will try to determine and rely a bit on each of your strengths as I am forever trying to gain more insight on potential Broncos.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

You are on.

I only got to see a little of Tennessee this year. What do you think of Mahelona and Haralson?

Pitt was pathetic - Will Palko stick around or will he take his chances as a mid - late round choice?

[27atwater]

Mahelona is gonna be a big disruptor at the next level. He was a JuCo transfer prior to his junior year and was instantly the best defender on the team...and that's saying a lot with allen, the 2 kevins, etc. Some say he is too short, but he uses his leverage well and in football low man wins. Great pass rusher. on 3rd and very short, he does need to get a bit stronger cuz he can get pushed around a bit by stronger C/Gs who are down to his heigth. If we got Jesse with one of our picks, I'd be very happy..and not just cuz I'm a UT fan.

Haralson is screaming 3-4 OLB. He CAN be a serviceable DE in the pros, but he's best suited for a team like the Pats, Browns, etc. He is kinda light for DE and reports are his frame isn't one to add too much more bulk....but he can get to the QB in whichever capacity he ends up in.

Palko will stick it out I think. After a down year, his stock can only rise. If he can get anywhere near his 2004 play, he MAY land towards the end o the 1st -mid 2nd round in NEXT year's draft. Most likely, late 2-early 3, but it's possible. He is a gunslinger, but not overly athletice as some may think.

MY TURN, any of you westerners seen the stanford DT first hand or on TV more than once?

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Mahelona is gonna be a big disruptor at the next level. He was a JuCo transfer prior to his junior year and was instantly the best defender on the team...and that's saying a lot with allen, the 2 kevins, etc. Some say he is too short, but he uses his leverage well and in football low man wins. Great pass rusher. on 3rd and very short, he does need to get a bit stronger cuz he can get pushed around a bit by stronger C/Gs who are down to his heigth. If we got Jesse with one of our picks, I'd be very happy..and not just cuz I'm a UT fan.

Haralson is screaming 3-4 OLB. He CAN be a serviceable DE in the pros, but he's best suited for a team like the Pats, Browns, etc. He is kinda light for DE and reports are his frame isn't one to add too much more bulk....but he can get to the QB in whichever capacity he ends up in.

Palko will stick it out I think. After a down year, his stock can only rise. If he can get anywhere near his 2004 play, he MAY land towards the end o the 1st -mid 2nd round in NEXT year's draft. Most likely, late 2-early 3, but it's possible. He is a gunslinger, but not overly athletice as some may think.

MY TURN, any of you westerners seen the stanford DT first hand or on TV more than once?

Thanks - Mahelona got quite a bit of preseason pub, but with the disappointing season for UT, didn't hear much more and TV got scarce in this area. Sorry, I did not see Stanford once this year. For some reason, it was a light year for me in terms of west coast games. His size would point toward a career as a NT.

I think this might be a very deep year for the DT position. Lots of guys outside the five or so most mentioned. I loved the way Paxson played last night. Seemed to have good feet and great intelligence at the DT position.

[Obushma]

Round 1, #22 (from wash) Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
Round 1, #30 Santonio Holmes/Chad Jackson/Derek Hagan, WR, Ohio State/Florida/Arizona State
Round 2. Greg Eslinger/Nick Mangold, C, Minnesota/Ohio State
Round 3 Mark Setterstrom, G, Minnesota
Round 3 (COMP?) Dante Whitner, S, Ohio State
Round 4 (from wash) Kyle Williams/Babatunde Oshinowo, DT, LSU/Stanford
Round 4 Jerious Norwood, RB, Mississippi State
Round 5 Gerrick McPhearson, CB, Maryland/Eric Henderson, DE, Georgia Tech
Round 6 Dwayne Slay, S, Texas Tech
Round 7 Barrick Nealy/Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Texas State/Alabama State

I would be happy with this draft, although, draft day never seems to turn out the way we imagine around here. One change I would make is in our 2nd round pick. If we could pick up Steve Fifita DT, out of Utah I think we'd solve our DL problems for years to come.

http://condraft.com/player.php?id=817&cancelSignup=1

Steve is a big, strong, DT prospect. Last year he was named first-team all-conference and was this year as well. At only 5'11", Steve is relatively short for an NFL DT, but he plays a lot bigger than his size would indicate, and looks perfect in the role (where he projects well) as a pure NT in a 3-4 defense. He is the strongest player on the Utes' benching 460 and squatting an amazing 675! Steve is so strong that he draws double teams each game and sometimes an occasional triple team comes his way. He is great against the run and can get to the QB pretty well for a DT. Shuffles very well for a big man, uses his hands effectively, shows some creativity in his pass rush (thought he prefers the bull rush--and does very well with that technique) and does not get locked onto easily by the opposing Cs and OGs. His size gives him great leverage advantages against some of the taller O-lineman he faces. In a relatively weak DT class this year, Fifita has been rated as high as #5 by some draft experts. From CDS's perspective, he could go as high as the 3rd DT off the boards. Come April I think Fifita will be one of the top DT prospects and be taken in the 2nd or 3rd round of the 2006 NFL Draft. His rise up the charts is likely to parallel that of former Utah linemate DT Sione Pouha from last year, who ended up going in the 3rd round of the 2005 NFL draft to the New York Jets. Steve is an old-school warrior, who keeps his motor running and always seems to find the football quickly. Should be a quality starter for many years in the middle of somebody's 3-4 defense.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I understand pumping up your guy, but Fifita is a NT and will need to go to a 3/4 team. Has a chance to be a good one though.

[Broncoman13]

B/c of Fifita's size he'll probably last into day two. No sense using a 2nd round pick on Brandon Kennedy II.

If we could land either Eslinger or Mangold in the late 2nd I'd be estatic!!! Those are two of the better centers to come out in quite some time and Eslinger is Nalen of 7 or 8 years ago. Already a better athlete and wouldn't take long to become a real player...especially when you consider he already knows the blocking scheme!

[Obushma]

I don't know BG, he was moved around a lot this season and played some DE, this kid is a stud. I don't see why he wouldn't be any good in a 4-3.

[Broncoman13]

5'11"... nuff said! We're not talking about an undersized/short safety... we're talking about an undersized DT. He has a great motor and I was impressed with his play at Utah, but I was also impressed with Brandon's play at North Texas. I think Fifita would be a good fit for a team in the 3-4... a Casey Hampton type of player. You wanna take a chance on him, draft him in the late third w/one of our comp picks.

[meangene]

Back to Pitt for a minute. What about Lee at WR? Your thoughts? Will he come out early?

[Obushma]

I just don't see Eslinger lasting untill the 32nd pick in the second round. If he does, then I have no disagreement with the pick.

There is no way Fifita lasts untill the late third, only reason I sugested the reach. If he was undersized and had a problem stoping the run then I could understand your reasoning. He is no doubt the quickest DT in the draft and most likely one of the strongest. Specializing in stuffing the run, with no dropoff in his pass rush, I don't think he would have any problems in a 4-3.

I just suggested this pick because I know most of the people on this board know little about players outside the BCS conferences.

[Broncoman13]

A couple people have pointed out Fifita. I've watched him twice this season and agree, he's a great college player. The reason he'll last, like I've said many times is his size or more specifically his height. If he was 6'2 he'd be a first day pick, but at 5'11" (college listed!) and the fact that he plays in a conference that doesn't rank up there with the BIG 12, PAC-10, SEC, ACC, or BIG-10... you'll find that he lasts until very late in the 3rd or into the 2nd day.

[Broncoman13]

For what it's worth though, I agree that it's very doubtful that either Mangold or Eslinger last into the late 2nd round.

Right now, I'm wish'n, and hope'n for Cromartie to drop to us in the 2nd. I don't care if he runs a 4.7 40 in the combine, once he gets full up again he's a great corner!

[27atwater]

Mangold is the 3rd rated C and Cs usually last longer than the rest of the o-linemen...look at recent drafts where stud Cs lasted into the 4th. The thing w/ Eslinger and Mangold is their "lack of NFL size" will help them last that long. this draft is loaded w/ Ts and even a few big Gs, the smallish Cs will be overlooked and 1 of the 2 should come our way. If we need to trade a 5th to move up a few spots, I say do it.

Lee...hmmm, that's an interesting question. I haven't heard any murmurs of him leaving, but with this a seemingly weaker class, I could see him declaring...but don't think he will. I can say for certain that he will be in the top 2-3 if he does come out. the history of the Pitt receivers alone will secure that.

[27atwater]

For what it's worth though, I agree that it's very doubtful that either Mangold or Eslinger last into the late 2nd round.

Right now, I'm wish'n, and hope'n for Cromartie to drop to us in the 2nd. I don't care if he runs a 4.7 40 in the combine, once he gets full up again he's a great corner!


we won't go CB early. Besides, MacPhearson is the fastest guy in the draft and can be had much later on...and he has no injury concerns. we have too many depth questions to take a CB that early when we have Champ, DW and Foxxy cemented into the top 3 spots.

[27atwater]

1 source I use has fifta as the 23rd ranked DT in the draft. he can be had late if we want him.

[27atwater]

Mangold is the 3rd rated C and Cs usually last longer than the rest of the o-linemen...look at recent drafts where stud Cs lasted into the 4th. The thing w/ Eslinger and Mangold is their "lack of NFL size" will help them last that long. this draft is loaded w/ Ts and even a few big Gs, the smallish Cs will be overlooked and 1 of the 2 should come our way. If we need to trade a 5th to move up a few spots, I say do it.

Lee...hmmm, that's an interesting question. I haven't heard any murmurs of him leaving, but with this a seemingly weaker class, I could see him declaring...but don't think he will. I can say for certain that he will be in the top 2-3 if he does come out. the history of the Pitt receivers alone will secure that.


i guess i guessed wrong. Lee is coming out. He's gonna be another good Pitt prospect.

[meangene]

i guess i guessed wrong. Lee is coming out. He's gonna be another good Pitt prospect.

The more players that come out at positions of need for us the better! This is good!

[27atwater]

At this point, here is what i would try to do. Draft a big need DE/S with the skins pick and then try to trade OUT of the first round using our pick. We could either grab a #1 next year and a #2 this year, OR we could get a nice package as if we were just trading down.

Reason being: I like Eslinger and he MAY be around in the end of the 2nd, but there are no guarantees. I think he lasts, but ya never know. If we were considering a WR at #30-32, why not trade back into early 2nd and 3rd. Someone would give us their 2 and 3 for our 1. This way, there would still be one of the top 3-4 WR options available and it could provide ammo for a later trade if we feel eslinger may not make it to us. If he does make it to us, great...we now have ANOTHER 3rd rounder.

[27atwater]

http://www.degnan.org/dolphins/draftvaluechart.htm

here is the draft value chart. equal value to the #30 pick would be the 14th or 15th picks in the 2nd AND 3rd, OR the 4th picks in the 2nd and 4th.

However, if a player is being coveted by a team who picks early enuff, they will give a little extra and we may be able to get a 2 and 3 from a team picking in the 5-10 range of those 2 rounds.

For example, if a guy like jay Cutler makes it to us and the Jets, Cards and or Lions didn't get to draft their QB. They may be willing to pull a Buffalo of 2 years ago and make us a great offer to get back into round 1 for a very promising QB.