Atlas
05-20-2006, 04:54 AM
This is a GREAT analysis. On the left they say where the player was selected. In bold on the right the author stats where that players value was and if the team got value in the selection. This is very good.
2006 DRAFT PICKS
Links go to write-ups at NFL.com
SoCals link: http://www.900footballlinks.net/broncosbottom.htm
Denver
Rd Sel# Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School Jay's ranking Jay's draft value
1 11 Cutler, Jay QB 6-3 225 Vanderbilt # 3 QB Round 1
2 61 Scheffler, Tony TE 6-5 255 Western Michigan # 9 TE Round 4
4 119 Marshall, Brandon WR 6-4 230 Central Florida # 7 WR Round 3
4 126 Dumervil, Elvis DE 5-11 258 Louisville # 17 DE Round 4
4 130 Hixon, Domenik WR 6-2 210 Akron Late Round Value > Round 4
5 161 Kuper, Chris G 6-4 302 North Dakota # 6 OG Round 3
6 198 Eslinger, Greg C 6-3 291 Minnesota # 3 C Round 3
FA Bell, Mike RB 6-0 221 Arizona # 11 RB Round 3
FA Powers-Neal, Rashon FB 6-2 240 Notre Dame Late Round Value > Round 4
FA Burton, Antwon DT 6-2 308 Temple Late Round Value > Round 4
top
A- 2006 COLLEGE DRAFT REPORT CARD
by Jay Goldberg
The Broncos did a good job of drafting for value. While they grabbed Scheffler higher than where I had him valued, Scheffler is a player I identified as one who will perform better in the NFL than many drafted ahead of him. Since he was drafted in round two, that makes him a player who will perform to expectations at the spot at which he was drafted. A side note - this is the second year in a row that the Broncos selected three players from my list of players who will have better NFL careers than many selected ahead of them in the draft. Last year the three were CBs Williams, Foxworth and Paymah, and two have already paid dividends.
The A- grade is inclusive of the draft day trade for Javon Walker. With the Broncos recent history of drafted receivers performing below expectations, getting a known quantity like Walker was a good move for many reasons. Walker was on his way to being one of the top receivers in the NFL before blowing out his knee. He will provide the Broncos with a major weapon at wide receiver. Now on to analyzing the Broncos' draft picks. Cutler was my third rated quarterback and I did not have as high a grade on him as other draft analysts. However, when the Broncos selected him; he was the top rated quarterback on my draft board; in my mock draft I had the Broncos taking Cutler with the 15th pick in round one because he fits their system and the Broncos (along with teams like the Steelers and Patriots) are adept at not only drafting good players, but players that fit their system; and the key to drafting a quarterback in round one is drafting a quarterback you really like, and the Broncos liked Cutler enough to maneuver to get him. I hate some of the inane quotes you hear on draft day, especially as it relates to drafting quarterbacks early. Comments like, if you have an early selection and have a need at quarterback you should draft one because you may never be in that position again, or you have to consider drafting a quarterback if he is the best value on your board, even if you have no major need at the position, etc., etc., etc. Such nonsense. If a quarterback is drafted in round one, a team has to feel strongly that that quarterback is the guy they want at that position long term. If you miss on a quarterback early, all you get is a horrible salary cap hit. At least if you miss on a position player, that player can play on special teams, be used in situational offenses or defenses, be used as an injury replacement without being too much of a liability, etc. The Broncos believe strongly in Cutler and there was no other quarterback available that would have been a better selection, so the Cutler pick was a good one, even though they drafted him higher in round one than where I had him graded. Scheffler in round two was another interesting pick. I had a late third/early fourth round grade on him; but then I indicated he will be a steal at that spot. The net result is the Broncos drafted him where I thought his talent level was, even though the depth at tight end in the draft, the fact that he played for a small school with a very dominate receiver (Greg Jennings) which helped take coverage away from him, and that the fact that he needs to get stronger to become a better blocker, resulted in me believing that he would be available a round or so later than where the Broncos drafted him. Scheffler has very good speed, quickness, hands, and athletic ability. His selection is interesting, however, because the word I read from the Broncos is that they let Putzier go because of his limitations blocking, and that is Scheffler's weak area as well. Brandon Marshall was also on my "list." This time the Broncos drafted a receiver who will be a star in the league in three years. He will need two or three years to arrive, so Bronco fans, be patient. Marshall has excellent size, good hands, can break tackles, is a willing target over the middle, and can make big plays down the field. At the Hula Bowl, he was a man among boys. If drafting on college production alone, Dumervil would have been a first round pick, however he is undersized for an end, and possesses only average speed. But Dumervil is very strong, and is plain and simple, a football player. This year he should be a good situational pass rusher. Later in his career he will develop into a regular rotation at end. While the Broncos reached a bit for Hixon, it's clear with Walker and Marshall already on board, Hixon was drafted primarily for his return ability. He has the potential to develop into a good kick returner. As a receiver, Hixon was thought to be a possession receiver with limited speed. Then he ran a 4.36 forty. Therefore, he does have some upside there as well. Kuper is the third player Denver drafted on my "list." Kuper is another example of Denver drafting a player who fits their system perfectly. Kuper is a quick, athletic undersized guard that will thrive in the Broncos' system. He has a shot to win the starting right guard job this year or next. I had a third round grade on Kuper, who just may have been the most athletic guard in the draft. Eslinger was good value in round six. I also had a third round grade on him. Eslinger is a bit light (although very strong) for a center, but Denver likes them that way. In fact, the player Eslinger most resembles is the Broncos starting center, Tom Nalen.
Running back was the only position where the Broncos did not draft a player, where I thought they could use an additional body. I am not convinced that Ron Dayne can be a lead back, and he certainly can't be the power back in a two-back rotation - just ask any New York Giant fan or coach. In fact, if Dayne shares the position, he should not be the back the ball is given to in short yardage and goal line situations. However, free agent signee Mike Bell could be that back. I had a third round grade on this bull of a back who has Mike-Anderson-like skills. Bell is also a better receiver than most think. Another free agent signing of note was Powers-Neal. He is a west coast type of fullback, a better receiver than blocker who can be effective as a runner. He has a shot to make the roster, but could be a candidate for the Broncos' practice squad. The Broncos also signed Antwon Burton, a defensive tackle who could stick as an inside rusher in the nickel and backup. Down the line he could blossom into a rotation player at tackle as well.
2006 DRAFT PICKS
Links go to write-ups at NFL.com
SoCals link: http://www.900footballlinks.net/broncosbottom.htm
Denver
Rd Sel# Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School Jay's ranking Jay's draft value
1 11 Cutler, Jay QB 6-3 225 Vanderbilt # 3 QB Round 1
2 61 Scheffler, Tony TE 6-5 255 Western Michigan # 9 TE Round 4
4 119 Marshall, Brandon WR 6-4 230 Central Florida # 7 WR Round 3
4 126 Dumervil, Elvis DE 5-11 258 Louisville # 17 DE Round 4
4 130 Hixon, Domenik WR 6-2 210 Akron Late Round Value > Round 4
5 161 Kuper, Chris G 6-4 302 North Dakota # 6 OG Round 3
6 198 Eslinger, Greg C 6-3 291 Minnesota # 3 C Round 3
FA Bell, Mike RB 6-0 221 Arizona # 11 RB Round 3
FA Powers-Neal, Rashon FB 6-2 240 Notre Dame Late Round Value > Round 4
FA Burton, Antwon DT 6-2 308 Temple Late Round Value > Round 4
top
A- 2006 COLLEGE DRAFT REPORT CARD
by Jay Goldberg
The Broncos did a good job of drafting for value. While they grabbed Scheffler higher than where I had him valued, Scheffler is a player I identified as one who will perform better in the NFL than many drafted ahead of him. Since he was drafted in round two, that makes him a player who will perform to expectations at the spot at which he was drafted. A side note - this is the second year in a row that the Broncos selected three players from my list of players who will have better NFL careers than many selected ahead of them in the draft. Last year the three were CBs Williams, Foxworth and Paymah, and two have already paid dividends.
The A- grade is inclusive of the draft day trade for Javon Walker. With the Broncos recent history of drafted receivers performing below expectations, getting a known quantity like Walker was a good move for many reasons. Walker was on his way to being one of the top receivers in the NFL before blowing out his knee. He will provide the Broncos with a major weapon at wide receiver. Now on to analyzing the Broncos' draft picks. Cutler was my third rated quarterback and I did not have as high a grade on him as other draft analysts. However, when the Broncos selected him; he was the top rated quarterback on my draft board; in my mock draft I had the Broncos taking Cutler with the 15th pick in round one because he fits their system and the Broncos (along with teams like the Steelers and Patriots) are adept at not only drafting good players, but players that fit their system; and the key to drafting a quarterback in round one is drafting a quarterback you really like, and the Broncos liked Cutler enough to maneuver to get him. I hate some of the inane quotes you hear on draft day, especially as it relates to drafting quarterbacks early. Comments like, if you have an early selection and have a need at quarterback you should draft one because you may never be in that position again, or you have to consider drafting a quarterback if he is the best value on your board, even if you have no major need at the position, etc., etc., etc. Such nonsense. If a quarterback is drafted in round one, a team has to feel strongly that that quarterback is the guy they want at that position long term. If you miss on a quarterback early, all you get is a horrible salary cap hit. At least if you miss on a position player, that player can play on special teams, be used in situational offenses or defenses, be used as an injury replacement without being too much of a liability, etc. The Broncos believe strongly in Cutler and there was no other quarterback available that would have been a better selection, so the Cutler pick was a good one, even though they drafted him higher in round one than where I had him graded. Scheffler in round two was another interesting pick. I had a late third/early fourth round grade on him; but then I indicated he will be a steal at that spot. The net result is the Broncos drafted him where I thought his talent level was, even though the depth at tight end in the draft, the fact that he played for a small school with a very dominate receiver (Greg Jennings) which helped take coverage away from him, and that the fact that he needs to get stronger to become a better blocker, resulted in me believing that he would be available a round or so later than where the Broncos drafted him. Scheffler has very good speed, quickness, hands, and athletic ability. His selection is interesting, however, because the word I read from the Broncos is that they let Putzier go because of his limitations blocking, and that is Scheffler's weak area as well. Brandon Marshall was also on my "list." This time the Broncos drafted a receiver who will be a star in the league in three years. He will need two or three years to arrive, so Bronco fans, be patient. Marshall has excellent size, good hands, can break tackles, is a willing target over the middle, and can make big plays down the field. At the Hula Bowl, he was a man among boys. If drafting on college production alone, Dumervil would have been a first round pick, however he is undersized for an end, and possesses only average speed. But Dumervil is very strong, and is plain and simple, a football player. This year he should be a good situational pass rusher. Later in his career he will develop into a regular rotation at end. While the Broncos reached a bit for Hixon, it's clear with Walker and Marshall already on board, Hixon was drafted primarily for his return ability. He has the potential to develop into a good kick returner. As a receiver, Hixon was thought to be a possession receiver with limited speed. Then he ran a 4.36 forty. Therefore, he does have some upside there as well. Kuper is the third player Denver drafted on my "list." Kuper is another example of Denver drafting a player who fits their system perfectly. Kuper is a quick, athletic undersized guard that will thrive in the Broncos' system. He has a shot to win the starting right guard job this year or next. I had a third round grade on Kuper, who just may have been the most athletic guard in the draft. Eslinger was good value in round six. I also had a third round grade on him. Eslinger is a bit light (although very strong) for a center, but Denver likes them that way. In fact, the player Eslinger most resembles is the Broncos starting center, Tom Nalen.
Running back was the only position where the Broncos did not draft a player, where I thought they could use an additional body. I am not convinced that Ron Dayne can be a lead back, and he certainly can't be the power back in a two-back rotation - just ask any New York Giant fan or coach. In fact, if Dayne shares the position, he should not be the back the ball is given to in short yardage and goal line situations. However, free agent signee Mike Bell could be that back. I had a third round grade on this bull of a back who has Mike-Anderson-like skills. Bell is also a better receiver than most think. Another free agent signing of note was Powers-Neal. He is a west coast type of fullback, a better receiver than blocker who can be effective as a runner. He has a shot to make the roster, but could be a candidate for the Broncos' practice squad. The Broncos also signed Antwon Burton, a defensive tackle who could stick as an inside rusher in the nickel and backup. Down the line he could blossom into a rotation player at tackle as well.