Assesing the areas of need and the depth in those areas...

[OrangeShadow]

Defensive line-Greatest need in my opinion, the game is won or lost in the trenches.
Possibilities- DT:Quinn Pitcock(OSU),Amobi Okoye(Louisville),Tank Tyler(NC St.),Marcus Thomas(FL.)
DE:Gaines Adams(Clemson),Quentin Moses(Georgia),Ray Mcdonald(FLA),Victor Abiamiri(ND),Tim Crowder(Texas),LaMarr Woodley(Michigan),Anthony Spencer(Purdue),Adam Carriker(Nebraska).
There seems to be more depth at DE so do we go DT early with a guy like tank tyler?

Safety- second biggest need in my opinion. Lynch cant cover fergy and brandon are both maybe average.
Possibilities:LaRon Landry L.S.U,Michael Griffin Texas,Reggie Nelson FL.

those are my assesments of the two big needs

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Justin Harrell (Tenn) might be a risk worth taking in the mid rounds. Mebrane from Cal should be a first day DT

I really believe you will see an attempt to get a premium RB early. Broncs system depends on a consistent running game. Love Tatum's long runs when he is healthy, but he is not consistent.

[OrangeShadow]

Love Tatum's long runs when he is healthy, but he is not consistent.

nor has the offensive line been consistent this year.

[Obushma]

Safety- second biggest need in my opinion. Lynch cant cover fergy and brandon are both maybe average.
Possibilities:LaRon Landry L.S.U,Michael Griffin Texas,Reggie Nelson FL.


Only thing about those safeties is that they will be going in the first or top half of the second, so unless we plan on spending our first on one, I just dont see one falling to us in the second.

If there isn't a top D-Lineman or Lynch/(Bush if he comes out) are off the board, i'd be all for grabing one of them.

[OrangeShadow]

thats the thing i think theres more depth at D line than safety

[youcandoit1687]

hmmm very rough right now but i think id like tank tyler/allan branch in the first, reggie nelson/laron landry/michael griffin in the second, carriker with the first third, and crosby in the late third. im with socal in wanting to accumulate some more picks. id like josh gattis, safety outta wake, on day two as well as doug free from northern illinois who was injured and didnt play too well this year but i think would be a good fit for us once he is healthy.

[SpringStein]

hmmm very rough right now but i think id like tank tyler/allan branch in the first, reggie nelson/laron landry/michael griffin in the second, carriker with the first third, and crosby in the late third. im with socal in wanting to accumulate some more picks. id like josh gattis, safety outta wake, on day two as well as doug free from northern illinois who was injured and didnt play too well this year but i think would be a good fit for us once he is healthy.

You're an optimist that those guys will be there at those picks! ;)

[youcandoit1687]

well i figure we will be picking somewhere from 46-56, roughly. hopefully we trade up for them. but liek i said, everything is unknown at this point. heck, one of em could plummet for whatever reason.

[OrangeShadow]

hmmm very rough right now but i think id like tank tyler/allan branch in the first, reggie nelson/laron landry/michael griffin in the second, carriker with the first third, and crosby in the late third. im with socal in wanting to accumulate some more picks. id like josh gattis, safety outta wake, on day two as well as doug free from northern illinois who was injured and didnt play too well this year but i think would be a good fit for us once he is healthy.

i think id run around in the streets yelling in joy if we landed tyler or branch in the first nelson landry or griffin in the second and carriker in the third.

That would be the defense equivletant to last years draft on offense.

[Rohirrim]

I'm totally opposed to the idea of loading up on picks, unless they are going to be used just to trade up. Look at the 2003 draft; Ten picks and the only one left is Foster. I'd trade all the picks for two top dawgs, frankly. Get a force at RB. Somebody who will actually move the chains, control the clock, and force the Ds to get up on the line. Bush, Leonard, Lynch (I like him, but wonder about his durability in the bigs). That will fix some of the D woes. If they spend less time on the field, they play fresher when they're out there.

Then, get somebody on that D line who can either (a) draw consistent double teams, (b) collapse the pocket, or (c) get around the end and consistently sack the QB. That's only two guys. I'd trade the entire draft for two playmakers at those positions, rather than fill up the practice squad.

I guess I subscribe to the focused pick idea, rather than the scattershot (hope we get lucky) approach.

[TheChamp24]

I wouldn't mind seeing a safety be the pick if its Landry or Griffin personally.

[watermock]

I'm totally opposed to the idea of loading up on picks, unless they are going to be used just to trade up. Look at the 2003 draft; Ten picks and the only one left is Foster. I'd trade all the picks for two top dawgs, frankly. Get a force at RB. Somebody who will actually move the chains, control the clock, and force the Ds to get up on the line. Bush, Leonard, Lynch (I like him, but wonder about his durability in the bigs). That will fix some of the D woes. If they spend less time on the field, they play fresher when they're out there.

Then, get somebody on that D line who can either (a) draw consistent double teams, (b) collapse the pocket, or (c) get around the end and consistently sack the QB. That's only two guys. I'd trade the entire draft for two playmakers at those positions, rather than fill up the practice squad.

I guess I subscribe to the focused pick idea, rather than the scattershot (hope we get lucky) approach.

There are two schools of thought here...one is go get the blue chip...the other is that the cards you draw the better chance to draw a flush. I have recently gone in the first camp. There is just so much room on the roster, but...you might always find a diamond late.

It's the 64 thousand dollar question. We don't have as much wiggle as last year, but we will see. Who thought we would take Jay Cutler? I came back to the TV and was like ??? I thought it was a typo. I was waiting for the 15 pick. Playing Texas holdem is more reliable than guessing about the draft.

[Requiem]

Haha, you have my Tank Tyler icon from Broncomania, cool.

[SoCalBronco]

I definitely am in the camp that favors amassing as many picks as possible. I'd like to trade down whenever we can to get more picks, even if we have to give up slightly more than fair value to consummate the trade.

[Requiem]

I definitely am in the camp that favors amassing as many picks as possible. I'd like to trade down whenever we can to get more picks, even if we have to give up slightly more than fair value to consummate the trade.

I agree with what we said last night, look at how many 6-7 and 7-6 teams there are, if the Broncos could fall from grace. Going from the #28 overall pick to the #15 or so in the course of a few weeks. It's just nuts. If the Broncos are picking there, I'd like to see them trade down unless a few players are there. Get a couple picks, address multiple needs then.

We have four first day picks now, if we could get six that'd be cool.

[SoCalBronco]

I agree with what we said last night, look at how many 6-7 and 7-6 teams there are, if the Broncos could fall from grace. Going from the #28 overall pick to the #15 or so in the course of a few weeks. It's just nuts. If the Broncos are picking there, I'd like to see them trade down unless a few players are there. Get a couple picks, address multiple needs then.

We have four first day picks now, if we could get six that'd be cool.

Six would definitely be hard on material, no question about it. At 7-9 or 8-8, we'd be in the middle of the round....then move down to the mid 20s, that'll get us a 3 and 4. Trade Foster as well, if we can get a 4 for him. I'm still really pissed off at Dallas, I wanted that 6 for Charlie.

[Requiem]

I wish the Broncos had a fourth-rounder because if a bunch of juniors declare, it'll be interesting to see what kind of drop-off in talent rolls around there. We all saw what kind of guys fell this past year; so an additional fourth-round selection could be valuable.

[Elway777]

I'm really starting to like like Adam Carriker. Drafting Carriiker could provide a good starting Lde plus could move inside on passing downs giving the Broncos a interior pass rush.If the Broncos cann't get Lynch or Ginn in first round then I'm o.k with drafting Carriker.What the Bronnos need are 1 LDE 2 Safety 3 Dt 4 a return man 5 Runnig Back.

[mattob14]

The Broncos' needs are pretty cleary defined, but what they really need to focus on this year are players who can fill multiple needs (play a position plus contribute on special teams). Three players I would like to see in orange and blue are Michael Griffin, Johnnie Lee Higgins and Josh Wilson.

Griffin is a solid tackler and a good enough hitter to fit the Broncos mold, but also has solid coverage skills and athleticism. He's a kick-blocking machine on special teams. Higgins and Wilson are both slightly undersized but could be very productive at their respective positions and both are top returners. Higgins would be the returner and could be a dangerous slot receiver with Walker and Marshall. Wilson has potential as a corner and would be a valuable pick-up if the team moves Darrent this offseason.

Getting Griffin in the first and either Higgins or Wilson in the second or third would improve the special teams greatly and still provide an upgrade in the positional play.

[youcandoit1687]

i hope that we stay in the first round to see what talent drops(allan branch!!!)) but if we are offered an amazing deal(falcons-jets last year) then we should take that. 15-20 range, at this point, i would love laron landry but i think his stock will go up after combines/pro days. he is a physical monster. i think he benches like 400.



oh and for all you RB humpers...scott wright is reporting that antonio pittman might declare because he is afraid of losing reps to chris wells. i would take him in the 4th or 3rd if we have 6 picks on day one. and yes socal, that would be hard on materiall haha.

[27atwater]

I think DL is the least of our worries. We stop the run quite well and Elvis will just get better on passing downs. Don't hurt the run D just for a better pass rush.

Safety and O-line are my #1 and 1A. Then a legit return man...not a WR or DB who can return kicks...a return man. People laughed at Chicago for drafting a certain Hurricane this year.

I even think a bigger replacement for Gold is as important as DL help. Dude just gets pushed around too much late in games. I like Warren and Myers up front, but a Mebane or Harrell in round 3 would be great depth for the future.

[youcandoit1687]

ive been happy with lang and ekuban at DE as well as dumervil on passing downs but it would be nice to have another DE who can play every down but i dont think it should be addressed until about our 3rd pick of the day.

[want2bAbronco2]

a huge DT to collapse the pocket would help our DE so much.

[27atwater]

This is actualy kinda comical. Trevor Pryce has 12.5 sax so far this year. Has anyone given ANY thought that it may just be the scheme that doesn't get us to the QB? New DLs aren't gonna matter. The scheme sux. The players are fine. We get some actual coverage guys to make the QB hold it longer and MAYBE the DL may actualy be able to overcome the defensive playcalling. Ireally think the "need for DL help" is a farce. If Shanny was that worried, he would have drafted ONE early on since TP.

[Jolly Giraffe]

This is actualy kinda comical. Trevor Pryce has 12.5 sax so far this year. Has anyone given ANY thought that it may just be the scheme that doesn't get us to the QB? New DLs aren't gonna matter. The scheme sux. The players are fine. We get some actual coverage guys to make the QB hold it longer and MAYBE the DL may actualy be able to overcome the defensive playcalling. Ireally think the "need for DL help" is a farce. If Shanny was that worried, he would have drafted ONE early on since TP.

Having two big run stuffing DT's in the middle in Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata must have helped Trevor Pryce get a few of those sacks. Because of the Broncos weakness at DT, specifically Mike Myers, he wasn't allowed such freedom at Denver, which is why I'd love to see us get a quality DT to partner Gerard Warren.

[Mediator12]

This is actualy kinda comical. Trevor Pryce has 12.5 sax so far this year. Has anyone given ANY thought that it may just be the scheme that doesn't get us to the QB? New DLs aren't gonna matter. The scheme sux. The players are fine. We get some actual coverage guys to make the QB hold it longer and MAYBE the DL may actualy be able to overcome the defensive playcalling. Ireally think the "need for DL help" is a farce. If Shanny was that worried, he would have drafted ONE early on since TP.

Are you crazy???

The DL is the most devoid group of talent on the whole team. There is not one DL in the top 32 in the league and Warren is the only one in the top 50 on his good days and plays.

Pryce is the sixth best defensive player on his NEW team and the third most important DL player. The coverage guys are the ONLY reason they have a sack all season too. I have seen three sacks all year that occurred in the first four seconds it takes for most QB's to get rid of the ball.

The run defense has suffered a lot this year because they opened up the Pass rushers to get to the ball and they have had to drop Lynch into the box to stop the run against quality rushing teams. The players are fine? They can't rush the QB and they don't stop the run without help. Sheesh!

[youcandoit1687]

what i have seen from some tape of this seasons games is that lack of rush from the middle. i didnt time the rushers but what i saw was the DEs about 5 yards further upfield than the DTs on obvious passing downs. that is just unacceptable in my opinion, we need a push from them too so that the QB doesnt just throw in that gap.

[Mediator12]

There are five Probowlers on defense for the Ravens and Pryce is NOT one of them. People see numbers and think, hey they have been great, but its the guys around him that have been great and he is just doing his job while teams key on other players.

The Players and coaches know that and while TP enjoys great success in BAL he has more than enough help around him to get it. That scheme with those players is flat out dominant because their whole "D" is made up of players who win the one on one battles more often than their opponents. Pryce has become an effective cog in that machine and nothing more.

[Florida_Bronco]

There are five Probowlers on defense for the Ravens and Pryce is NOT one of them. People see numbers and think, hey they have been great, but its the guys around him that have been great and he is just doing his job while teams key on other players.

The Players and coaches know that and while TP enjoys great success in BAL he has more than enough help around him to get it. That scheme with those players is flat out dominant because their whole "D" is made up of players who win the one on one battles more often than their opponents. Pryce has become an effective cog in that machine and nothing more.

Good post. You're absolutely right that people need to look at the way the players play and not just their numbers.

[youcandoit1687]

Good post. You're absolutely right that people need to look at the way the players play and not just their numbers.

but...eddie kennison has the most 4 yard catches in the middle 5 minutes of the 3rd quarter in the last 7 games. that shows his dominance, right bob?

[Florida_Bronco]

but...eddie kennison has the most 4 yard catches in the middle 5 minutes of the 3rd quarter in the last 7 games. that shows his dominance, right bob?

You remember when he started one of those "Who Am I threads" and he posted up a WR in the AFC West that had done all these stats over several years, and it turned out Randy Moss had done it as well as Kennison.

You should have seen the hissy fit he threw trying to "disqualify" Randy Moss.

[usedupbraids]

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/4121/evergiveupow5.png

[youcandoit1687]

You remember when he started one of those "Who Am I threads" and he posted up a WR in the AFC West that had done all these stats over several years, and it turned out Randy Moss had done it as well as Kennison.

You should have seen the hissy fit he threw trying to "disqualify" Randy Moss.


haha yeah thats what reminded me. he did somethign similar for trent green that made him "better" than a bunch of indisputables, tom brady is the one i remember. bob is a funny guy with all his stats, wonder how he will make 7-8 sound like a building block to a SB.