Angryllama's Bronco Draft Targets

[epicSocialism4tw]

As is always the case, the BBT comes up with a viable plan to acquire one of a group of targeted players. Sometimes they come agonizingly close to landing a world changer (Tommie Harris) and end up settling for another of their options. In the case of Harris, the fall-back was DJ Williams who ultimately was not a bad choice. He just wasnt Tommie. Anyhoo, the Broncos are likely churning through their options at pick 21 as we speak. They are no doubt looking at ways to move up for targeted players, and are looking at what value they can get by moving down or into the next draft.

I think that this draft is deep in players that fit the Broncos' needs as far as the first day goes. There are some guys that will be available at 21 at some positions that would not be there in other years.

Here's who I think the Broncos may be realistically looking at in round one:

1. Adam Carriker - Versatility, leadership, interior strength, plays run/pass. He would be an asset that could play a couple of positions given the matchup. He's just what Denver should be looking for.

2. Reggie Nelson - He's a ballhawking, fast, athletic cover safety with a nose for the big play. A secondary with Champ, Bly, and Nelson might be too good to pass up.

3. Jarvis Moss - He has potential to grow into a Jason Taylor type end. High motor, excellent in pass rushing.

4. Joe Staley - With the failed Foster project, there is a need to develop top-flight talent at Tackle. Staley fits the mold surprisingly well for a Denver OT. He and Kuper both have the same type of raw athletic skill/power combination but Staley's technique already looks pretty good.

5. Justin Harrell - Big, leveraging, bull of a DT. Tackles well. He has an injury history, so he just might be the best fit for Denver ;D

[STBumpkin]

I really like those 5 as well

[eddie mac]

If we draft Staley at 21 I'll have to clean projectile vomit off my walls.

[ludo21]

please nooo to Staley..

yes to Willis tho

[epicSocialism4tw]

Here are some other DL guys I'd like to see Denver take a look at at some point in the draft:

Charles Johnson - I love this guy.
Tank Tyler - a monster
Dan Bazuin - Will find a roster spot and a role somewhere
Keith Jackson - playmaker
CJ Ah You - hard hitter
Turk McBride - viscious, versatile
Quinn Pitcock - aggressive, old-school

[epicSocialism4tw]

If we draft Staley at 21 I'll have to clean projectile vomit off my walls.

I dont understand the hate for Staley.

He's great at pulling and could excel in zone blocking. I didnt see the glaring holes in his technique that others here see. He gets off of the snap quick, engages squarely, has good strength, and keeps his body in front of the DE on edge rushes.

The biggest question I saw was his lower body/leg strength.

Staley looks like a good, solid prospect.

I wouldnt be disappointed at all if he ended up here in the first round.

[BroncoInferno]

I dont understand the hate for Staley.

He's great at pulling and could excel in zone blocking. I didnt see the glaring holes in his technique that others here see. He gets off of the snap quick, engages squarely, has good strength, and keeps his body in front of the DE on edge rushes.

The biggest question I saw was his lower body/leg strength.

Staley looks like a good, solid prospect.

I wouldnt be disappointed at all if he ended up here in the first round.

You must have missed the Senior Bowl. Staley was absolutely awful.

[Los Broncos]

Pretty good lama, we need a burner on the outside IMO, but some more d-line help wont hurt in the first.

[PRBronco]

I think carriker is a top notch prsopect, but looking back at the types of DEs or DTs Bates has preferred in the past, he doesn't fit the profile, I don't see us going that route. But then again, if he falls to us, might be too good to pass if he's the BPA...

[Paladin]

You know, I keep coming back to Merlin Olsen's comments in several games I heard him call on TV. He said: "Great Players make great plays." Simple, but certainly is apropos. I'd like for the Broncos to draft according to reasonable need, but that first pick should be a player with high potential. Of those listed, I think Nelson shows the more promise, but if some of the mock projections are right, Branch could be available, and he would be as important as, say, Williams is to SD. I think he would be hard to pass up, but otherwise I think Nelson is our boy.....

[epicSocialism4tw]

You know, I keep coming back to Merlin Olsen's comments in several games I heard him call on TV. He said: "Great Players make great plays." Simple, but certainly is apropos. I'd like for the Broncos to draft according to reasonable need, but that first pick should be a player with high potential. Of those listed, I think Nelson shows the more promise, but if some of the mock projections are right, Branch could be available, and he would be as important as, say, Williams is to SD. I think he would be hard to pass up, but otherwise I think Nelson is our boy.....

I agree.

I dont think that Carriker lasts.

Really, Nelson could move up the board a bit and out of our reach. The guy's an absolute monster of a player. I would be more than happy to see him teaming up with Champ and Bly down the field.

That trio would be outstanding.

[TheChamp24]

I like Carriker, Nelson and Moss. I personally feel we need to draft on the defensive side in the 1st round unless someone falls to us.
Personally, at 21, I wouldn't mind:
Carriker
Nelson
Moss
Michael Griffen
Charles Johnson
Ginn, Jr. -> only because I think he would fit in really well, helping special teams and stretching the field.

[bpc]

Guys we need to look at:

Ted Ginn: As long as his leg checks out, why wouldn't we? The guy is a game breaker in the return game and against flat footed outmatched CB's. We've been staring down players that can help us on offense all offseason. If our defensive player isn't there at #21, I wouldn't be surprised to see us add another weapon. Rod Smith just had a major surgery, Stokely might not even be 100% when the season rolls around. We are talking about resigning David Terrell for depth. This is a possibility.

Robert Meachem: The guy has got the goods in the physical department. See the examples given above for my reasoning.

Aaron Sears and Justin Blalock: I'm sorry guys, Joe Staley is a 4 year project. He is too fragile to be an effective NFL blocker anytime soon. He had college seniors handling him. NFL DE's are going to eat him up. Blalock and Sears are guys who project at guard but could play RT in a pinch. Needless to say i think both guys have a great chance to be pro bowl interior lineman and they could go a long way to giving us a stronger pocket presence in front of Jay.

Carriker and Jamaal Anderson: Too very different players. Carriker will be a LDE in the NFL playing tough against the run. Anderson is going to be a very large RDE who will be lining up against the LT's of the league. Some of the luster is coming off of Anderson's junior season but with his size and speed, he has too much upside to pass up if he slides.

Alan Branch and Justin Harrell: Branch is another Gerrard Warren. Harrell is an interesting player who I have not been able to find much film on so I can't give a first round perspective... His size is very enticing.

Reggie Nelson: The guy is a ballhawk and somebody who can capitalize on the great play our CB's will provide for us.

[phibacka31]

I REALLY and i mean REALLY like Harrell. I'm also a Nelson fan. I like Carriker but as other believe I dont think he fits the bill for Bates typical DE. NOt sure on Moss, dont really like Ginn either. Staley sorta scares me also.THe broncs will prol draft someone no one has mentioned, like always:spit:

[watermock]

Trade our second for Pacman. heh.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Trade our second for Pacman. heh.

Better yet, why not use another third on Clarett?

[watermock]

Let me see...what team might be out there willing to take on a "head case"?

Sit down Shanny...I was talking about Crazy Al. Put the gun down.

[NFLBRONCO]

Guys we need to look at:

Ted Ginn: As long as his leg checks out, why wouldn't we? The guy is a game breaker in the return game and against flat footed outmatched CB's. We've been staring down players that can help us on offense all offseason. If our defensive player isn't there at #21, I wouldn't be surprised to see us add another weapon. Rod Smith just had a major surgery, Stokely might not even be 100% when the season rolls around. We are talking about resigning David Terrell for depth. This is a possibility.

Robert Meachem: The guy has got the goods in the physical department. See the examples given above for my reasoning.

Aaron Sears and Justin Blalock: I'm sorry guys, Joe Staley is a 4 year project. He is too fragile to be an effective NFL blocker anytime soon. He had college seniors handling him. NFL DE's are going to eat him up. Blalock and Sears are guys who project at guard but could play RT in a pinch. Needless to say i think both guys have a great chance to be pro bowl interior lineman and they could go a long way to giving us a stronger pocket presence in front of Jay.

Carriker and Jamaal Anderson: Too very different players. Carriker will be a LDE in the NFL playing tough against the run. Anderson is going to be a very large RDE who will be lining up against the LT's of the league. Some of the luster is coming off of Anderson's junior season but with his size and speed, he has too much upside to pass up if he slides.

Alan Branch and Justin Harrell: Branch is another Gerrard Warren. Harrell is an interesting player who I have not been able to find much film on so I can't give a first round perspective... His size is very enticing.

Reggie Nelson: The guy is a ballhawk and somebody who can capitalize on the great play our CB's will provide for us.

I was going to mention Ginn Jr myself if he slides to 13 range. I think with the success Hester had Ginn Jr will get drafted in top 14.

[NFLBRONCO]

My 5 no order

Ginn Jr
Nelson
Willis
Branch
Moss

[Elway777]

I hope Carriker last to 21 pick. If Carriker is gone then maybe trade down a little and get Spencer or Johnson.I prefer Spencer over Moss because be also plays run good.If The Broncos draft Spencer then they could move Ekuban to Lde.

[Requiem]

Llama, this is good stuff and to the others who contributed, this is good stuff as well.

Carriker just never seemed to play as consistently as people make it seem when I watched him play. Everyone seems to be drooling because he put up epic workout numbers. Some people, even some scouts have mentioned in articles that Jay Moore was even more consistent than Carriker in college.

Don't get me wrong, Carriker is a good, if not very good prospect - but what's the fascination with him here in Denver?

Carriker is best suited as a traditional 4-3 LE, or an anchordown man like Richard Seymour in a 3-4. He's an average pass rusher and does not seem to flash a whole lot of ability in that area. He's a power end, he uses his strength at the POA to be successful. The kind of ends we're looking for here need quickness off the snap, good lateral movement and have to win their one gap assignments on a consistent basis to be good. By his numbers (workout) it seems like Carriker would fit that profile, but I just don't think he's what we need here.

Guys like Jarvis Moss, Jamaal Anderson, Gaines Adams, Quentin Moses, Victor Abiamiri and Tim Crowder are those athletic specimens who seem to fit what Bates wants to do to a T.

I think Carriker can be a good pro, but he'll never be an elite pass rusher.

Grant Wistrom, Chris Kelsay - he'll be like one of them.

[Kid A]

Llama, this is good stuff and to the others who contributed, this is good stuff as well.

Carriker just never seemed to play as consistently as people make it seem when I watched him play. Everyone seems to be drooling because he put up epic workout numbers. Some people, even some scouts have mentioned in articles that Jay Moore was even more consistent than Carriker in college.
.

I'm not anything close to expert on player scouting, but I am a Nebraska fan that has watched every game Carriker played in. I obviously am a big fan of the guy, but I have to agree with this assessment. There were games where he would dominate, but there were also games where he never really made any big plays. That's not to say he wasn't having a solid performance on those days, but there should be no expectation that Carriker is going to be an explosive playmaker week in and week out.

I have honestly been a little surprised by the hype he has gotten as of late. He was being hailed as the best DE in college last pre-season, and while he was solid, he didn't really live up to those expectations. Anyway, that's my two cents. I hope he meets expectations and is a beast in the NFL, but I don't know that he is the can't miss prospect I have seen some talking about, and I really wouldn't want to trade up too far to get him.

[elsid13]

Llama, this is good stuff and to the others who contributed, this is good stuff as well.

Carriker just never seemed to play as consistently as people make it seem when I watched him play. Everyone seems to be drooling because he put up epic workout numbers. Some people, even some scouts have mentioned in articles that Jay Moore was even more consistent than Carriker in college.

Don't get me wrong, Carriker is a good, if not very good prospect - but what's the fascination with him here in Denver?


I think that Carriker is getting a lot of love on the board for two reason -1 He is known player for folk in Colorardo playing in Big 12 2. He is big guy and folks always like the Heavy Weight Class. He good player and will be solid performer but he won't cure the pass rushing issue, but should help us get stronger at the Point of Attack

[NFLBRONCO]

No offense to anyone who loves Carriker but, don't forget he feasted on the big 12 north which we all know is weak.

[Requiem]

I'm not anything close to expert on player scouting, but I am a Nebraska fan that has watched every game Carriker played in. I obviously am a big fan of the guy, but I have to agree with this assessment. There were games where he would dominate, but there were also games where he never really made any big plays. That's not to say he wasn't having a solid performance on those days, but there should be no expectation that Carriker is going to be an explosive playmaker week in and week out.

I have honestly been a little surprised by the hype he has gotten as of late. He was being hailed as the best DE in college last pre-season, and while he was solid, he didn't really live up to those expectations. Anyway, that's my two cents. I hope he meets expectations and is a beast in the NFL, but I don't know that he is the can't miss prospect I have seen some talking about, and I really wouldn't want to trade up too far to get him.


Thanks for the honest post. One of my best buds I've met at college bleeds Nebraska and he's not that huge of a fan either.

[azbroncfan]

I thought Llama would pick Dirk and play him at DE. I do agree with your targets.

[bpc]

You know the thing that I like about Carriker is the way his body is. I just see him as a premium LDE who can stack up the LOS. Body and talent wise, he reminds me a lot of two SD DL... Igor Olshansky and Luis Castillo. He has that mean streak and he is just going to be load to handle each play.

I agree, he'll never be that premium sacking DE. Then again I think he can be like Justin Smith who I wanted us to pick up in FA. He is one of those classic guys that will project and play better on the next level when a DC can really design plays around him.

[bdv]

There are a lot of good D-linemen in the first, second and third rounds. If the Broncs are just looking at a good DL in the first round, I hope they pick up Ted Ginn Jr. instead. If not, Reggie Nelson would be an awesome addition to our secondary!

Then, we can use our next three first day picks on the D-line if we want. My gut tells me that we're more likely to get a big playmaker in Ginn or Nelson from our #21 than we would from a D-linemen.

If, however, we give up second and third round picks to trade up for a DE or DT he'll need to be great, not just good, because we're not going to have many serious picks left. Our FO knows what they're doing, so if they move up It'll probably be for the best, but I kind of hope we stay at #21 for the aforementioned WR/KR or S.

[want2bAbronco2]

I like all of them, but 2 I would love to add would be: Brandon Meriweather FS the U! and Justin Blalock. If we could get any of those 7 I would be very happy. I think Meriweather is a better FS then Nelson, has better coverage skills and can hit harder.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Shanahan talked about three targets for the Broncos. He has let on that Harrell was one, and Moss was another. Who was the third?

I'm guessing that it was Ted Ginn or Lawrence Timmons.

[elsid13]

Shanahan talked about three targets for the Broncos. He has let on that Harrell was one, and Moss was another. Who was the third?

I'm guessing that it was Ted Ginn or Lawrence Timmons.

according to Denver post it was Jamaal Anderson. They were looking DE/DT in the first

[watermock]

I wouldn't mind throwing a thrid in the pond for pittman or bush.