Broncos Draft Preview

[dragondawg]

The Broncos already traded up when they got involved in the Jets' deal that sent defensive end John Abraham to Atlanta. The Falcons didn't have the ammunition to pull it off on their own, so they swapped first-round slots with the Broncos for some additional later picks, and Denver ended up with the 15th and 22nd slots in the draft, which creates an interesting scenario potentially.

Denver is solid in most areas with no real glaring need, so it can do one of two things. It can stay put and grab two of the top 22 players in the draft or package those picks and go all the way up into the top 5 if there's someone they feel could make an impact.


That someone could be defensive end Mario Williams, who many teams are comparing to Julius Peppers. With Trevor Pryce gone, he would be a shot in the arm of both youth and pass rushing vitality. But the beauty of their position is they don't have to do anything and will still be able to address their needs early.


Denver could use a running back and one of the top four should be there at No. 15. If they want to bring some youth into their wide receiving corps, where Rod Smith has to get old someday and Ashley Lelie remains suspect because of inconsistency, they can get one of the top ones there and still have a pick left to address other needs at defensive tackle, defensive end, tight end or safety.


Safety is a vexing problem. John Lynch and Nick Ferguson are fine, but Lynch is beginning to age so they could use some help. With Pryce gone, Denver could take a flyer on someone such as Boston College's Mathais Kiwanuka, who is a developmental player with tremendous raw talent as a pass rusher.


Whatever direction they turn, the Broncos should be improved by the first of May.

DT HT. WT. college

Brodrick Bunkley 6-3 284 Florida State
Haloti Ngata 6-5 345 Oregon
John McCargo 6-2 295 North Carolina State
LB HT. WT. college

A.J. Hawk 6-1 240 Ohio State
Ernie Sims 6-0 220 Florida State
Chad Greenway 6-4 244 Iowa
WR HT. WT. college

Chad Jackson 6-1 205 Florida
Sinorice Moss 5-8 182 Miami (FL)
Santonio Holmes 5-11 190 Ohio State


TEAM NAME POS. HT. WT. COLLEGE

1. Texans Reggie Bush RB 5-11 201 USC
The Texans have said they'll consider trade offers, but they would have to be blown away to give up on Bush.

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2. Saints Mario Williams DE 6-7 295 N.C. State
With Brees in the fold, New Orleans turns to improve its defense.

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3. Titans Matt Leinart QB 6-4 224 USC
Leinart will be the heir apparent to Steve McNair. Offensive coordinator Norm Chow knows him from their days at USC.

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4. Jets D'Brickashaw Ferguson T 6-6 312 Virginia
With Leinart gone, the Jets pass on the other top QBs to get some protection for Chad Pennington.

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5. Packers A.J. Hawk LB 6-1 245 Ohio State
The first step toward getting Favre to stay another season is to bolster his defense.

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6. 49ers Vernon Davis TE 6-3 250 Maryland
This dazzling tight end keeps flying up the charts, so San Francisco decides it can't pass him up. It's another weapon for Alex Smith.

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7. Raiders Jay Cutler QB 6-3 223 Vanderbilt
The Raiders hope Cutler can be the quarterback of the future.

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8. Bills Haloti Ngata DT 6-4 340 Oregon
Buffalo wants a player they can plop in the middle of their defense.

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9. Lions Michael Huff DB 6-1 200 Texas
Coach Rod Marinelli likes defense, so Detroit will go for this Troy Polamalu-like defender.

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10. Cardinals Vince Young QB 6-5 233 Texas
The Cardinals weren't looking for another QB, but they can't let Young go. Will nine teams above them look back and rue the day they passed on this passer?

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11. Rams Chad Greenway LB 6-2 240 Iowa
New coach Scott Linehan is an offense-oriented guy, but the Rams won't pass on this impact player.

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12. Browns Kamerion Wimbley DE 6-4 25 Florida State
Romeo Crennel wants defense, believing his offense will be OK if everyone's healthy.

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13. Ravens Broderick Bunkley DT 6-3 280 Florida State
Baltimore is always happy to find an impact player on defense.

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14. Eagles Santonio Holmes WR 5-11 190 Ohio State
The Eagles want a speedy wideout to stretch the field.

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15. Broncos Chad Jackson WR 6-1 205 Florida
The Broncos have been looking for a speedy receiver to stretch defenses.

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16. Dolphins Winston Justice T 6-6 320 USC
With Daunte Culpepper in the fold, Miami now needs to protect him.

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17. Vikings Ernie Sims LB 6-0 230 Florida State
The Vikings were looking offense, but they'll take Sims because you can never have too many linebackers.

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18. Cowboys Marcus McNeill T 6-8 340 Auburn
Line problems hampered the Cowboys in the last half of last season. No one will be happier than Drew Bledsoe to see this big man in front of him.

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19. Chargers Jonathan Joseph CB 5-11 195 South Carolina
In the pass-happy AFC West, the Chargers need depth at cornerback.

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20. Chiefs Tye Hall DB 5-9 180 Clemson
Herm Edwards knows he needs depth in the pass-happy AFC West.

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21. Patriots Ashton Youboty CB 6-1 190 Ohio State
Youboty will provide instant help to New England’s depleted secondary.

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22. Broncos DeAngelo Williams RB 5-9 208 Memphis
Mike Shanahan can never have enough running backs.

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23. Buccaneers DeMeco Ryans LB 6-1 230 Alabama
A scary defense gets even scarier with Ryans, who is smart and fast.

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24. Bengals Jimmy Williams CB 6-2 216 Virginia Tech
Marvin Lewis still loves his defense and will add to its depth here.

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25. Giants Kelly Jennings CB 5-11 180 Miami (Fla.)
The Giants need help in the secondary.

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26. Bears Leonard Pope TE 6-7 240 Georgia
Chicago hopes Pope can provide another solid target for Rex Grossman.

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27. Panthers LenDale White RB 6-2 235 USC
The Panthers have battled so many injury problems at running back, they're willing to take a gamble on this talented but overweight back.

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28. Jaguars Marcedes Lewis TE 6-5 260 UCLA
Jacksonville wants a go-to player for Byron Leftwich.

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29. Jets Bobby Carpenter LB 6-3 240 Ohio State
The Jets got this pick when they traded away John Abraham, so they'll draft another pass rusher here.

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30. Colts Laurence Maroney RB 5-11 205 Minnesota
With Edgerrin James gone in free agency, the Colts will need a young stud running back to give the offense some balance.

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31. Seahawks Claude Wroten DT 6-4 290 LSU
The Seahawks had hoped to land John Abraham, but since they couldn't get him, they'll bolster their pass rush this way.

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32. Steelers Sinorice Moss WR 5-8 180 Miami (Fla.)
When you're the defending champs, you can afford to pick the best player.

[Borks147]

I like how this article actually says that Rod has to get old SOMEDAY as opposed to articles who say "oh yeah he's old isn't he, yeah they should really draft a wr huh?"

[spdirty]

I dont think we should draft a running back in the first round.

Jackson, Kiwi, and Klop in the second would be fine by me.

[HEAV]

I dont think we should draft a running back in the first round.

Jackson, Kiwi, and Klop in the second would be fine by me.


If they can't get Mario, then drafting a DE in round one would be silly. There's too much depth @ DE right now to use a 1st round pick on it (minus mario). A young stud RB @ #22 would be wiser.

Not sure if I'm sold on Jackson. I know Shanny had the scouts all over the kid at the combine. Just the Florida tag scares me.

[sirhcyennek81]

I thought Lynch was old when we signed him as a f/a...interesting...


:Broncos:

[Pat Bowlen]

The Broncos have been looking for a speedy receiver to stretch defenses.

It's true. If we'd had a WR about 6-3, 200lbs with 4.3 speed and a 40-inch vertical, someone who could get us 20 yards a catch and really go deep, we'd have won the Super Bowl.

[HEAV]

It's true. If we'd had a WR about 6-3, 200lbs with 4.3 speed and a 40-inch vertical, someone who could get us 20 yards a catch and really go deep, we'd have won the Super Bowl.


Ya too bad the one we got drops routine passes, doesn't work the middle and disapears from games...................

[cutthemdown]

I thought Lynch was old when we signed him as a f/a...interesting...


:Broncos:
Lynch had questions about his neck more then his age when we signed him. I think since Chris Young hasnt worked out, we know what we have in Brandon and Ferguson, and Lynch is no youngster that we need to get a saftey in draft. There seems to be alot of TE and Saftey help in this draft. Id like to see a saftey and a TE added on first day of draft. If that means we trade down to add a 2nd and a 3rd then so be it. I could see Broncos using the 15th on someone like chad jackson, then trading the 22nd for a 2nd and a 3rd. Then we grab a TE and a Saftey with the 2 2nds and the 3rd. That would still leave a pick for a dlineman or a RB.

[Pendejo]

Ya too bad the one we got drops routine passes, doesn't work the middle and disapears from games...................

What's interesting is...we don't really know what's going on. Watch the second Fade game...at mile high...Lelie was all over the place. He got a bit nasty last year...he even recorded one of the hits of the year...against SD at mile high...on Putzier's called back touchdown.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

If Jimmy Williams is sitting there at 15 and we take Jackson.. I'm going to kill my TV and my cat.

[sirhcyennek81]

Lynch had questions about his neck more then his age when we signed him. I think since Chris Young hasnt worked out, we know what we have in Brandon and Ferguson, and Lynch is no youngster that we need to get a saftey in draft. There seems to be alot of TE and Saftey help in this draft. Id like to see a saftey and a TE added on first day of draft. If that means we trade down to add a 2nd and a 3rd then so be it. I could see Broncos using the 15th on someone like chad jackson, then trading the 22nd for a 2nd and a 3rd. Then we grab a TE and a Saftey with the 2 2nds and the 3rd. That would still leave a pick for a dlineman or a RB.


I was being facetious, I remember reading flack the Broncos were catching by signing and old, injuried safety with no range...who managed 2 probowl appearances and turned our defense into a scary thing for the opposition. Good safeties do that. A safety to groom behind Lynch and Ferguson, who could pair with Brandon in the future would be a good thing. I dont think Brandon is all that bad, actually. TE depth this year is great, Fasano, Pope, and Klopenstein would be good second round selections.

:Broncos:

[HEAV]

What's interesting is...we don't really know what's going on. Watch the second Fade game...at mile high...Lelie was all over the place. He got a bit nasty last year...he even recorded one of the hits of the year...against SD at mile high...on Putzier's called back touchdown.

Consistency isn't, or hasn't, been his game.

He's already started 2006 with a chip. Now let's see him play for a deal. But Shanny will cover his ass, like he always does, with Jackson. Even is Leile stays after 06, Rod maynot be coming back in 07. So youth and talent will be needed.

[cutthemdown]

I was being facetious, I remember reading flack the Broncos were catching by signing and old, injuried safety with no range...who managed 2 probowl appearances and turned our defense into a scary thing for the opposition. Good safeties do that. A safety to groom behind Lynch and Ferguson, who could pair with Brandon in the future would be a good thing. I dont think Brandon is all that bad, actually. TE depth this year is great, Fasano, Pope, and Klopenstein would be good second round selections.

:Broncos:
Yeah I figured you were only saying what the haters were saying when we signed lynch. I think when it comes to draft picks this year broncos will do some for now, some for the future. I predict them looking for TE/RB/WR that may be able to help and compete for playing time first year. Then also i see them looking for Oline and linebacker depth. The other 2 spots I see as wildcards are DT and WR. The broncos may be looking for someone like Bunkley to stick next to Warren. Or someone like Chad Jackson in case Rod isnt up to his old self.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

If Jimmy Williams is sitting there at 15 and we take Jackson.. I'm going to kill my TV and my cat.

They might pass on Jimmy williams at 61 based on his most recent evaluations. Its a shame he is wasting that talent.

[Lestat]

If Jimmy Williams is sitting there at 15 and we take Jackson.. I'm going to kill my TV and my cat.



you do realize Williams refuses to play S right? and that we don't need another CB

[ludo21]

you do realize Williams refuses to play S right? and that we don't need another CB


I dont think he does..............

But if we can convince him to play S, i wouldnt mind using a first on him.

[TheChamp24]

I really like what I'm hearing about Jason Allen, I would really like to see him wear orange and blue next year. If we could get Bunkley and Allen in the 1st, it would be awesome IMO. However, I see Bunkley gone before the Broncos pick, as well as Ngata. I'm not exactly thrilled about taking a risky pick at 15 with Chad Jackson, he isn't that good of a WR people are claiming he is IMO.
What would be ideal IMO is Vernon Davis falls to Detroit or Arizona, and we give up pick 15 and our 2nd rounder for Detroit/Arizona's 1st round pick, select Davis, and with pick 22, trade back, either late 1st and pick up that teams 2nd round pick, or early 2nd and pick up the 3rd round pick for that team. Then if we could get either Allen, Kiwanuka, Whitner, Hali, or Maroney with our 2nd pick in the draft, then with the next pick select either a DE, DT, or WR, whoever is the best available, I would like that draft. Of course, rarely anything ever happens that you'd want to happen, so I doubt this does.

[sirhcyennek81]

I really like what I'm hearing about Jason Allen, I would really like to see him wear orange and blue next year. If we could get Bunkley and Allen in the 1st, it would be awesome IMO. However, I see Bunkley gone before the Broncos pick, as well as Ngata. I'm not exactly thrilled about taking a risky pick at 15 with Chad Jackson, he isn't that good of a WR people are claiming he is IMO.
What would be ideal IMO is Vernon Davis falls to Detroit or Arizona, and we give up pick 15 and our 2nd rounder for Detroit/Arizona's 1st round pick, select Davis, and with pick 22, trade back, either late 1st and pick up that teams 2nd round pick, or early 2nd and pick up the 3rd round pick for that team. Then if we could get either Allen, Kiwanuka, Whitner, Hali, or Maroney with our 2nd pick in the draft, then with the next pick select either a DE, DT, or WR, whoever is the best available, I would like that draft. Of course, rarely anything ever happens that you'd want to happen, so I doubt this does.


Jason Allen has alot of talent, could be a solid pro...but he reminds me alot of willie middlebrooks. Also, any pick is risky, after all the tests, meetings, workouts and mulling players, its a huge risk. You could get lucky, and every pick you make becomes a starter, or a probowler. Broncos have a chance to get two of the top 22 players in a very very good draft. I hope they are good picks.

:Broncos:

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Jason Allen has alot of talent, could be a solid pro...but he reminds me alot of willie middlebrooks. Also, any pick is risky, after all the tests, meetings, workouts and mulling players, its a huge risk. You could get lucky, and every pick you make becomes a starter, or a probowler. Broncos have a chance to get two of the top 22 players in a very very good draft. I hope they are good picks.

:Broncos:

There have been a couple of posts on other threads that Allen has failed a couple of team physicals.

[Rascal]

There have been a couple of posts on other threads that Allen has failed a couple of team physicals.

Yeap. He will slide to round 2.

[sirhcyennek81]

There have been a couple of posts on other threads that Allen has failed a couple of team physicals.


Pass on him then...CB is one position we really dont need to draft for.

:Broncos:

[Mediator12]

There have been a couple of posts on other threads that Allen has failed a couple of team physicals.

I missed this. Where is the reference? Allen passed his physicals at the combine and is failing them Now?

Remember, its smoke and mirrors time folks. The oldest one in the book is to leak a failed physical on an injured player in order to get a player to drop.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I missed this. Where is the reference? Allen passed his physicals at the combine and is failing them Now?

Remember, its smoke and mirrors time folks. The oldest one in the book is to leak a failed physical on an injured player in order to get a player to drop.

I don't remember who posted it first, but SoCal confirmed he had seen it a couple of places.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I think it was an Insider article that said he failed 2 team physicals

[DrFate]

If Jimmy Williams is sitting there at 15 and we take Jackson.. I'm going to kill my TV and my cat.

If we draft Williams I will kill your TV kick & your cat - that guy is a bum.

[Ballhawk]

It's true. If we'd had a TE about 6-3, 250lbs with 4.3 speed and a 40-inch vertical, someone who could get us 20 yards a catch and really go deep, we'd have won the Super Bowl.


You must be on the VD bandwagon ^5

[Popps]

15. Broncos Chad Jackson WR 6-1 205 Florida
The Broncos have been looking for a speedy receiver to stretch defenses.

What do you call Ashley Lelie? That's all the guy does is run fast.

We need a #1 type guy to take over for Smith as he ages. A big, fast, physical receiver.

[ludo21]

15. Broncos Chad Jackson WR 6-1 205 Florida
The Broncos have been looking for a speedy receiver to stretch defenses.

What do you call Ashley Lelie? That's all the guy does is run fast.

We need a #1 type guy to take over for Smith as he ages. A big, fast, physical receiver.


i thought the same thing when i read that.

[youcandoit1687]

jackson is somewhat physical 6-1 205 is pretty good and theres always offseason and combine-to-draft time to bulk, hes really a lot like rod smith, just an all around athlete.i say 15 chad jackson 22 manny lawson 61 rod wright/claude wroten/gabe watson, go safety,oline,rb, and more dline later

[gunns]

If Jimmy Williams is sitting there at 15 and we take Jackson.. I'm going to kill my TV and my cat.

I'm will too....well except for the cat.

[24champ]

jackson is somewhat physical 6-1 205 is pretty good and theres always offseason and combine-to-draft time to bulk, hes really a lot like rod smith, just an all around athlete.i say 15 chad jackson 22 manny lawson 61 rod wright/claude wroten/gabe watson, go safety,oline,rb, and more dline later
welcome to the mane youcandoit.:afro:

I dont see Manny Lawson available at 61 but hopefully we snag John McCargo at that spot.

[elpasojoe]

I want Dominique Bird in the second round, but would be also happy with McCargo or Wrotten. I just don't feel comfortable with a WR in round one. Weren't we supposed to just forget about that position a few years ago when we drafted Ashley? This organization hasn' ;t fared well drafting receivers (16 in the past 10 years, with memorable names as Nash, Patrick Jeffers and the rest). We just lucked out that Rod Smith developed over the years.
Maybe Hermeidinger is the most intriguing question of this years. Can he develop the enormous potential of Lelie, Watts, Devoe, Terrell and others?.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

I want Dominique Bird in the second round, but would be also happy with McCargo or Wrotten. I just don't feel comfortable with a WR in round one. Weren't we supposed to just forget about that position a few years ago when we drafted Ashley? This organization hasn' ;t fared well drafting receivers (16 in the past 10 years, with memorable names as Nash, Patrick Jeffers and the rest). We just lucked out that Rod Smith developed over the years.
Maybe Hermeidinger is the most intriguing question of this years. Can he develop the enormous potential of Lelie, Watts, Devoe, Terrell and others?.

Word re: Byrd

I would like to see us get one of the premier TE's with the 22nd pick, but Byrd in the 2nd round suits me just fine.

And reguarding the Jimmy Williams pick: I'm not saying that's the guy I want at 15 -- but I would be pissed at taking Jackson over him at this point.

Defense... clap clap Defense...

[SoCalBronco]

Shanny please do not ruin draft day for me this time.
Please no Chad Jackson, Holmes, Byrd, waiting till Rd 2 or later on RB, backup LB before Round 5, Allen in the 1st.

[Lestat]

you have to actually make the play to stretch the defense though


Jake always overthrew or underthrew Lelie last year after hitting him near perfect the year Ashley went for 1,000

[Garcia Bronco]

If Jimmy Williams is sitting there at 15 and we take Jackson.. I'm going to kill my TV and my cat.


He's got Lenny Walls disease.