Requiem
03-19-2007, 12:18 PM
All right, so I had ten days to sit down and think long and hard about what the Broncos could do on draft day. I'll take Wabbit's advice and trust my instincts and go with my gut all around this time. With that said, I think Denver's draft direction is clear. Shore up both sides of the line on day one, and perhaps add a playmaker. Four picks on the first day is a luxury, but it isn't enough for what I want to do. Can't make things all about me though and what I want to happen, but what's more realistic to happen.
Okay, without further adieu. . . we'll just get the mock started!
The Denver Broncos, #21 - Selection - Alan Branch, DT - Michigan
I think the Broncos usually had adhered to the BPA selection over the past several years due to the fact that they've been picking so low. It's almost a given that the Broncos have to go defensive line in round one after missing out on free agency. There will be good receivers, safeties and perhaps a lineman like Joe Staley available at this time, but Denver just needs bodies on the line, importantly a tackle next to Warren and rush help outside. There's poor value for defensive tackle the rest of this draft, but good value for ends. I'll wait on ends here, and I'll go with Alan Branch, the big two-gap stuffer in the middle.
Branch's workouts have been hit or miss I guess. Some people say he's worked out well, some people say he's worked out bad. Being a Michigan fan, I've seen my fair share Branch since he came in as a Freshman and he's impressed me at times, and left me wanting a lot more at times too. Med and I were discussing him in another thread, and I just feel he needs someone to motivate him and someone who can get the best out of him. If he falls to #21, I think Jim Bates will nod over to Shanahan and say get it done. He has so much potential, but it's a risky pick too - but Shanahan has never been shy about taking a risk before. Branch is what we need in this defense on the inside, and truth be told - if Wilkinson doesn't come to the Broncos we're SOL at DT because I'm not convinced Veal or Burton are starters for a team who is trying to make it to the big show.
Branch is the pick, I know some people don't like him and I know some people do. My emphasis here really isn't on the player, but the needs of the teams and the fit of the system, and it's damn hard to argue that Alan Branch with all his talent and size isn't a good selection for the Broncos at #21. Several months ago, we were thinking top ten - but I think he drops, I honestly do. Better for us.
The Denver Broncos, #56 - Selection - Quentin Moses, DE - Georgia
Oh how the mighty have fallen! Moses, like Mathias Kiwanuka was a top ten selection heading into his junior year but has fallen down draft boards after less than stellar work out sessions. Like I said about Branch, better for us. I think Moses has to play defensive end in the pros. Not sure if he has what it takes to be a 3-4 OLB, I don't think he looked good in the drills at the Senior Bowl or Combine for that matter. . .
Once again, I look at what Bates has done on past defenses and I see KGB and Jason Taylor. They're tall, lean and have the athleticism to get after the quarterback. That's what Quentin Moses brings to the table. Long arms, good pass rush moves, what's not to like? His exposures over the past month or so are telling, but I think that if Moses were to fall this far (and I believe he could) it'd be a luxury pick for the Broncos. He didn't have a great senior year, and that's another reason why he's slid down boards. I think his struggles against the run and some other issues he has can be dealt with by having two big lineman in Warren and Branch next to him. Bates has had successes with players like Moses in the past and I think under his coaching and tutelage, he'd be a good one here.
At this point in time, he just seems to logical of a selection to pass up. I offer Victor Abiamiri and Tim Crowder as alternative choices at this selection as well, my gut tells me at least one of them will be there at our selection.
The Denver Broncos, #70 - Selection - James Marten, OT - Boston College
Not trying to be trendy or to copy Scott Wright, but I think Marten is the sort of guy we need on the offensive line. He's a mean b**** just like former BC alumni Tom Nalen, he's a nasty guy and you have to love that mean streak - the sort of mean streak Foster had before he broke that Bengals' lineman's leg. We won't have to worry about this guy talking to the press either, with a face like that, I don't even think he can talk. But seriously, according to Wabbit the Broncos have ordered a lot of offensive lineman tape, and I think that guys like Marten, Free and Harris will really intrigue them. Alternatives are the others listed after it, but I think Marten's a target here, definitely an offensive lineman.
The Denver Broncos, #86 - Selection - John Wendling, S - Wyoming
The more I thought about it, I decided to scratch a day one receiver away. I think with Marshall, Graham, Scheffler and Walker as four viable receiving options, not to mention Rod Smith we'll be okay for this year. Quincy Morgan was re-signed and Domenik Hixon might show some promise if he can promise us not to break his foot again. A wide receiver would probably just get buried on our depth chart and then I looked back at the stellar track record of receivers Shanahan and company has drafted and I closed that book faster than a quickie in Amsterdam.
I've been reading posts on here, and according to some people - Donte Whitner was really high on the Broncos draft boards this past year so I'm guessing if they were thinking about safety a year ago, they'll be thinking about it this year. It's a wonderful year to be drafting a safety, because their is good value well in to day two.
I like Wendling here, I feel he can project to either side in the pros and is physical in the run game and has made good strides in the passing game as well. I've only seen a couple games of his, (I'll be honest!) but he looked pretty good in them. Seemed to workout really well and I'd be surprised if he didn't go higher, but a guy like him or perhaps Josh Gattis out of Wake Forest would be nice value to round out day one that bolstered the defensive side of the ball. Let's face it, we just spent 50 million on offense over the next 5 years - and the players on the defensive side of the ball are getting old.
So that's my first day. Alan Branch, Quentin Moses, James Marten and John Wendling. I like it!
Like I said, our day two sucks. I hope we can get that pick for Wilkinson back just so I can have more fun making mock drafts. Here's the day two again, and one pick remains the same - for some reason I just like the guy at #161. Woohoo!
The Denver Broncos, #161- Selection - Garrett Wolfe, RB/KR/PR - Northern Illinois
Getting injured in the Senior Bowl and having to leave didn't help his cause, but the kid was an explosive player in college and offers return ability. I had mentioned that Andre Hall could be a situational back on receiving downs, but so could Wolfe and he'd be a returner, something that we need. Obviously, size and durability is an issue, but getting late in this draft what the hell can you expect? Even with Henry and Bell, we could use some more depth at this area and having options at returner (we suck at returns) never hurts.
The Denver Broncos, #214 - Selection - Laurent Robinson, WR - Illinois State
This draft is loaded with receivers and it's not impossible to think that a good player, like Robinson could just go unnoticed as many do on draft day. I like him as a deep threat, and I really couldn't think of anything better to do at this point in time either. Denver sucks at getting receivers on Day One, but with Marshall on Day two last year, maybe things will turn around!
Okay, without further adieu. . . we'll just get the mock started!
The Denver Broncos, #21 - Selection - Alan Branch, DT - Michigan
I think the Broncos usually had adhered to the BPA selection over the past several years due to the fact that they've been picking so low. It's almost a given that the Broncos have to go defensive line in round one after missing out on free agency. There will be good receivers, safeties and perhaps a lineman like Joe Staley available at this time, but Denver just needs bodies on the line, importantly a tackle next to Warren and rush help outside. There's poor value for defensive tackle the rest of this draft, but good value for ends. I'll wait on ends here, and I'll go with Alan Branch, the big two-gap stuffer in the middle.
Branch's workouts have been hit or miss I guess. Some people say he's worked out well, some people say he's worked out bad. Being a Michigan fan, I've seen my fair share Branch since he came in as a Freshman and he's impressed me at times, and left me wanting a lot more at times too. Med and I were discussing him in another thread, and I just feel he needs someone to motivate him and someone who can get the best out of him. If he falls to #21, I think Jim Bates will nod over to Shanahan and say get it done. He has so much potential, but it's a risky pick too - but Shanahan has never been shy about taking a risk before. Branch is what we need in this defense on the inside, and truth be told - if Wilkinson doesn't come to the Broncos we're SOL at DT because I'm not convinced Veal or Burton are starters for a team who is trying to make it to the big show.
Branch is the pick, I know some people don't like him and I know some people do. My emphasis here really isn't on the player, but the needs of the teams and the fit of the system, and it's damn hard to argue that Alan Branch with all his talent and size isn't a good selection for the Broncos at #21. Several months ago, we were thinking top ten - but I think he drops, I honestly do. Better for us.
The Denver Broncos, #56 - Selection - Quentin Moses, DE - Georgia
Oh how the mighty have fallen! Moses, like Mathias Kiwanuka was a top ten selection heading into his junior year but has fallen down draft boards after less than stellar work out sessions. Like I said about Branch, better for us. I think Moses has to play defensive end in the pros. Not sure if he has what it takes to be a 3-4 OLB, I don't think he looked good in the drills at the Senior Bowl or Combine for that matter. . .
Once again, I look at what Bates has done on past defenses and I see KGB and Jason Taylor. They're tall, lean and have the athleticism to get after the quarterback. That's what Quentin Moses brings to the table. Long arms, good pass rush moves, what's not to like? His exposures over the past month or so are telling, but I think that if Moses were to fall this far (and I believe he could) it'd be a luxury pick for the Broncos. He didn't have a great senior year, and that's another reason why he's slid down boards. I think his struggles against the run and some other issues he has can be dealt with by having two big lineman in Warren and Branch next to him. Bates has had successes with players like Moses in the past and I think under his coaching and tutelage, he'd be a good one here.
At this point in time, he just seems to logical of a selection to pass up. I offer Victor Abiamiri and Tim Crowder as alternative choices at this selection as well, my gut tells me at least one of them will be there at our selection.
The Denver Broncos, #70 - Selection - James Marten, OT - Boston College
Not trying to be trendy or to copy Scott Wright, but I think Marten is the sort of guy we need on the offensive line. He's a mean b**** just like former BC alumni Tom Nalen, he's a nasty guy and you have to love that mean streak - the sort of mean streak Foster had before he broke that Bengals' lineman's leg. We won't have to worry about this guy talking to the press either, with a face like that, I don't even think he can talk. But seriously, according to Wabbit the Broncos have ordered a lot of offensive lineman tape, and I think that guys like Marten, Free and Harris will really intrigue them. Alternatives are the others listed after it, but I think Marten's a target here, definitely an offensive lineman.
The Denver Broncos, #86 - Selection - John Wendling, S - Wyoming
The more I thought about it, I decided to scratch a day one receiver away. I think with Marshall, Graham, Scheffler and Walker as four viable receiving options, not to mention Rod Smith we'll be okay for this year. Quincy Morgan was re-signed and Domenik Hixon might show some promise if he can promise us not to break his foot again. A wide receiver would probably just get buried on our depth chart and then I looked back at the stellar track record of receivers Shanahan and company has drafted and I closed that book faster than a quickie in Amsterdam.
I've been reading posts on here, and according to some people - Donte Whitner was really high on the Broncos draft boards this past year so I'm guessing if they were thinking about safety a year ago, they'll be thinking about it this year. It's a wonderful year to be drafting a safety, because their is good value well in to day two.
I like Wendling here, I feel he can project to either side in the pros and is physical in the run game and has made good strides in the passing game as well. I've only seen a couple games of his, (I'll be honest!) but he looked pretty good in them. Seemed to workout really well and I'd be surprised if he didn't go higher, but a guy like him or perhaps Josh Gattis out of Wake Forest would be nice value to round out day one that bolstered the defensive side of the ball. Let's face it, we just spent 50 million on offense over the next 5 years - and the players on the defensive side of the ball are getting old.
So that's my first day. Alan Branch, Quentin Moses, James Marten and John Wendling. I like it!
Like I said, our day two sucks. I hope we can get that pick for Wilkinson back just so I can have more fun making mock drafts. Here's the day two again, and one pick remains the same - for some reason I just like the guy at #161. Woohoo!
The Denver Broncos, #161- Selection - Garrett Wolfe, RB/KR/PR - Northern Illinois
Getting injured in the Senior Bowl and having to leave didn't help his cause, but the kid was an explosive player in college and offers return ability. I had mentioned that Andre Hall could be a situational back on receiving downs, but so could Wolfe and he'd be a returner, something that we need. Obviously, size and durability is an issue, but getting late in this draft what the hell can you expect? Even with Henry and Bell, we could use some more depth at this area and having options at returner (we suck at returns) never hurts.
The Denver Broncos, #214 - Selection - Laurent Robinson, WR - Illinois State
This draft is loaded with receivers and it's not impossible to think that a good player, like Robinson could just go unnoticed as many do on draft day. I like him as a deep threat, and I really couldn't think of anything better to do at this point in time either. Denver sucks at getting receivers on Day One, but with Marshall on Day two last year, maybe things will turn around!