Future RB and KR for 2008?!?

[Broncoman13]

Name that Prospect:


Positives: Has a thick, muscular and solid build with good thigh and calf thickness, good chest development, defined muscles in his arms and shoulders and large, natural hands to secure the pigskin. … Has outstanding strength, balance and quickness with no problems finding creases, shifting and running over defenders. … Did not use it much when injured, but has adequate change-of-direction agility and an outstanding open-field burst. … Does not show great swivel in his hips, but can weave and veer through traffic. … Has that extra gear and quick feet to make crisp open-field cuts. … Has natural feel, good vision and exceptional intelligence to complement his natural talent, possessing a knack to avoid tacklers in the open field. … Plays hard on every play and has more than proven that he is capable of playing with pain that would sideline other runners. … Hard to bring down once he clears the line and is not the type to run out of bounds, as he will not hesitate to fight for extra yardage. … Won't shy away from contact, whether running with the ball or attacking defensive ends and linebackers as a blocker. … Understands the offense and blocking schemes well and can easily digest a complicated playbook. … Shows no hesitation attacking inside holes (will pause at times bouncing to the outside), as he has outstanding acceleration clearing trash. … Has good quickness on the move and knows when to show his extra burst. … Has rare ability to see the cutback lane and holes naturally, showing good savvy and ball security as a runner. … Sets up and uses his blocks well and even when he takes the pitch, he knows exactly what he is going to do on his next move. … Demonstrates power to break tackles and when he gets a full head of steam, even defensive linemen bounce off of him. … Good downhill runner, especially when he slips through and steps over the pile. … Physically stout runner who runs with powerful strides, showing great balance squeezing through tight spaces. … His strong build allows him to consistently run through arm tackles and he is even stronger when he gets into the secondary. … Rarely brought down by the initial tackler, getting lots of yardage after contact. … Once he turns the corner, he shifts gears naturally (could not do this when playing with his ankle woes) and shows very good acceleration when taking the pitch. … Covers up the ball well getting through traffic (only one fumble in 2007 and five in three seasons). … Has excellent awareness to protect the ball on kickoff returns. … Despite his stocky frame, he is an ideal special-teams player who can instantly take the kickoff upfield. … Not used much on fancy routes, but he has the speed to challenge the secondary. … Fluid and quick through route progression, as he understands coverage and knows where to fit when working underneath. … Alert to the blitz and gets into position on screens. … Has dependable hands and does not struggle extending for off-target throws (can pluck out-side his frame and adjust). … Has very good toughness as a blocker, whether gaining position to mirror or putting his hat into the opponent. … Does a nice job of setting up in pass protection to give the quarterback room to operate.

[Broncoman13]

While I feel that Henry and Young can carry the load at RB in 08, I think it would be a mistake not to draft this guy. He can be a 20 carry back for the next 5 or 6 years taking us through 2014. Considering he'll likely only get 100 or so carries in 08 he'll make his money as a KR. Knowing that we have a competent RB for 09 and beyond is very good news.

I will say that I'd prefer we trade down a bit to draft this guy. Perhaps something with the Cowboys for #22 and their 3rd and 6th?

[Broncoman13]

Any idea who it is???

[Paladin]

Probably that little squirt from Colorado........Charles?

[Mediator12]

This Guy:

Negatives: While he has shown the ability to play with pain, he has a long history of ankle problems dating back to 2002 and further medical evaluation is needed...Inconsistent following his blocks on outside runs and takes a moment to recognize that protection developing...Has excellent timed speed, but is not a darting runner with great shake-and-bake moves, preferring to run through tacklers rather than get too fancy with juke moves...Has good change-of-direction agility, but is a bit stiff in his hips, which could be an attempt to compensate for ankle injuries that limited cutting ability...Has good blocking technique, but despite his impressive weight-room strength, he won't stone defenders with a crunching hand punch (more likely to chip with purpose on the opponent rather than try to punish him, but he is very willing to face up)...Has the speed to turn the corner, but is sometimes caught and is more slippery than elusive.

Compares To: LADAINIAN TOMLINSON-San Diego...Tomlinson and Stewart share a rare blend of power and quickness running between the tackles. Stewart has not had that many opportunities as a receiver, but demonstrates good hands to get to the pass outside his frame. He did not show his outside running ability much, more due to his ankle and other injury problems, but there is no question that he can take the ball to the house when he gets past the line of scrimmage. With his special-teams skills, he will get a lot of playing time as a rookie. With Darren McFadden being the darling at this position, teams really need to examine these two before deciding who will be the first tailback taken. McFadden collides with defenders and runs too tall in his stance to avoid injuries and one look at his performance in 2007 and you will see he had fumbling issues. If Stewart's ankles check out, teams should not hesitate to select him over McFadden. Stewart is less of a risk than either of the Razorback runners and, if his legs hold up, he'll be a punisher in the Tomlinson mold. That's hard to beat.

[Rohirrim]

I like the sound of this guy:

--- can play in any style of offense. He can play in a two back system or a one back system or a spread offense. He will be powerful when you need him to pick up those tough yards and he can pick up yardage in big chunks and get his team out of a deep hole in its own territory. --- is a franchise RB. The day after you draft him, he will walk onto the field, carry the ball one time and you can bet there will not be one person on that team that will not smile to themselves. They will smile because they will know that they finally have a franchise RB. --- does the grunt work all game long that RB’s have to do to be a success in the NFL. People are going to tell you that --- is too small, or that he has taken a lot of pounding in college, or he did it against a lower level of competition. Then they are going to tell you that he doesn’t have the speed to take it to the house. All of this stuff is just crap! The difference is that --- knows how to play his position and if he is on a team that has good blockers, the level of competition is a moot point. --- knows how, and when, to cut. He is patient and waits for his blocks. He runs the sweep the way it is supposed to be run. He knows when to push the line of scrimmage to flatten out the LB’s angle so that his offensive lineman can get into a block and not have to reach and lunge to make their blocks. There are 2 former NFL Hall of Fame RB’s of which --- reminds me. Both of these RB’s came out with the same nit picking nonsense that I am hearing about --- . Thurman Thomas and Emmitt Smith both were considered as not being big enough, lacked speed and took too much of a pounding at the college level. Both of these RB’s had the intelligence and knew how to play the RB position just like --- does. --- will terminate all of the so called negatives that other “experts” come up with to downgrade him in this draft. He is relentless and will do anything to destroy your defense all game long because he has all the weapons he needs to do it: intelligence, heart, work ethic and athletic talent.

[bap454]

Martha??

[footstepsfrom#27]

Jonathan Stewart's a good back and he'd fit nicely in this system assuming he's able to stay healthy but anything that keeps us from draftng Jay Cutler's blind side pass protection in round 1 is a No-No to me. The more I think about it the more I'm convinced OT is the only way to go in the 1st round. Unfortunately that probably means we'll ignore that idea and draft another cornerback.

[Broncoman13]

Considering they are really high on Ryan Harris and actually think Harris is better than Clady, I douibt we'll go after an OT. Of course, that could all be a bunch of bs misdirection stuff. Anyhow, I'd be okay with Johnnyboy!

[CBF1]

WHat about the injury concerns???

[That One Guy]

Injuries aren't a concern for Denver...

[SoCalBronco]

I'd really like to have Ray Rice in the 3rd if we can get into that round (and he lasts that long). I'd take him at 42 if we didn't have an emergency at DT like we do.

[Kaylore]

Matt Forte!

Ok maybe not. We have a bruiser. What we need is a speed, return guy. How about Jamaal Charles?

[Requiem]

I'd really like to have Ray Rice in the 3rd if we can get into that round (and he lasts that long). I'd take him at 42 if we didn't have an emergency at DT like we do.

You and be both brother. :]

[peacepipe]

My hope is that we draft Brandon Albert who plays guard & can play OT & hope stewart drops to us in the 2nd. I know it's highly unlikely.

[illbroncsfn]

To me Rashard Mendenhall is the perfect back for our system in that I truly believe that he is a combination of Clinton Portis and Terrell Davis. I would love to see Rashard continue to wear orange and blue!

[Triplelefthook]

anyone say who this flippin' prospect is?

[backup qb]

To me Rashard Mendenhall is the perfect back for our system in that I truly believe that he is a combination of Clinton Portis and Terrell Davis. I would love to see Rashard continue to wear orange and blue!

Homer! Just kidding, I'm an Illinois guy too. Mendenhall would look great in Denver next year, I'm just not sure that we can go RB in rd 1 this year. Although if you were to trade down a few spots.....

[backup qb]

anyone say who this flippin' prospect is?

It's Jonathan Stewart I believe.

[Drek]

Homer! Just kidding, I'm an Illinois guy too. Mendenhall would look great in Denver next year, I'm just not sure that we can go RB in rd 1 this year. Although if you were to trade down a few spots.....

Supposedly thats what the Broncos are hoping to do, move down a few spots to where they'll find better value at our needs.

If we can move down I wouldn't be at all surprised to see us go WR or RB, hell, even at #12 it wouldn't totally surprise me. Limas Sweed and Mendenhall would look like the odds on favorites.

As for KR and RB being a single dual purpose selection? No thanks. Don't like the idea of A. going after a guy who can KR but doesn't also PR and B. potentially having your feature back also be your best return man. Too much time carrying the ball, taking aggressive hits. It'll cost you carries in the long run.

Now getting Mendenhall or Stewart and then selecting someone like Dexter Jackson in the 4th, I'm all over that. Get a speedster who can double as Stokley's understudy as our #3 slot guy in a few years who can also return. That'd be a perfect pickup in the middle rounds.

[peacepipe]

I hope beyond hope we don't draft a WR, it won't make differance how good limas sweed or any other wr is when our QB is on his back.

[mattob14]

As for KR and RB being a single dual purpose selection? No thanks. Don't like the idea of A. going after a guy who can KR but doesn't also PR and B. potentially having your feature back also be your best return man. Too much time carrying the ball, taking aggressive hits. It'll cost you carries in the long run.

Now getting Mendenhall or Stewart and then selecting someone like Dexter Jackson in the 4th, I'm all over that. Get a speedster who can double as Stokley's understudy as our #3 slot guy in a few years who can also return. That'd be a perfect pickup in the middle rounds.

I agree 100%. I still can't believe Minnesota used AD as a returner last year. You really don't want to use one of your starters as a returner, but a 3rd or 4th WR like Avery or Jackson would be ideal.

[illbroncsfn]

Homer! Just kidding, I'm an Illinois guy too. Mendenhall would look great in Denver next year, I'm just not sure that we can go RB in rd 1 this year. Although if you were to trade down a few spots.....

Guilty as charged, but I have seen Mendenhall play since his HS days and you could always tell that he would be a difference maker on Sundays. Ideally, the Stewart injury drops him to round 2 and we can snag him up at 42, but that is one hell of a pipe dream.

I do feel confident that the tandem of Selvin Young and Travis Henry can be extremely solid for us next year, but if we are unable to trade down, and no one has dropped to #12 that is a steal, Mendenhall would be a great pick for us.

[nadwiggins]

WHat about the injury concerns???

injury concerns???? you mean his turf toe that he still played with

[peacepipe]

Guilty as charged, but I have seen Mendenhall play since his HS days and you could always tell that he would be a difference maker on Sundays. Ideally, the Stewart injury drops him to round 2 and we can snag him up at 42, but that is one hell of a pipe dream.

I do feel confident that the tandem of Selvin Young and Travis Henry can be extremely solid for us next year, but if we are unable to trade down, and no one has dropped to #12 that is a steal, Mendenhall would be a great pick for us.
There won't be a tandem if T. Henry the kind of year he's capable of having. This whole RBBC is more of a result of not having a solid starter.

[Punisher]

Thomas Brown

[Drek]

I hope beyond hope we don't draft a WR, it won't make differance how good limas sweed or any other wr is when our QB is on his back.

So we should throw all nine picks into the OL?

Sorry, we've got a plethora of picks on the second day, WR depth will last into the second day. We just let a very good WR (when healthy) go because we didn't want to pay him huge bank as our #2. We need another WR. If a QB has no one who can get open because every team will double cover Marshall he'll get sacked just as hard as if his OL was crap.

This draft should be easy for us to spread picks around and hit all our needs. OT and DT should be our high priority selections for sure, but WR, inside and outside linebacker, safety, and even an RB from this deep pool can all be included as long as an intelligent draft strategy is applied in regards to where we can find value.