Broncos Fans, Your 2008 Broncos Draft Class

[Rohirrim]

Denver Broncos 2008 Picks

1 12(12) Ryan Clady OT BOISE STATE
This pick comes as somewhat of a surprise because Virginia's Branden Albert and Vanderbilt's Chris Williams are still on the board. That said, Clady has the potential to develop into an outstanding starter in Denver's scheme; he moves extremely well for his size, so he's an ideal player for a zone-blocking system. Also, he should develop into a good run-blocker. The one concern is that he's raw and needs to work on playing with a wider base.


2 11(42) Eddie Royal WR VIRGINIA TECH
Royal has had some problems staying healthy, and the fact that he doesn't have great size only accentuates concerns about his durability. He has to improve his route running, but he has the quickness and athletic ability to separate from coverage once that happens. He's fast enough to stretch the field and make an impact as a punt returner.
Complete analysis

4 9(108) Kory Lichtensteiger OC BOWLING GREEN
Lichtensteiger can play center or guard and plays with a mean streak, but he lacks athletic ability and struggles in pass protection. He will provide depth on the offensive line, however.

4 20(119) Jack Williams CB KENT
From Washington
Williams has the instincts and athletic ability to become an effective No. 2 corner. He's also an excellent player on special teams. Still, he doesn't have great size, so he's going to have problems slowing receivers down at the line of scrimmage.

5 4(139) Ryan Torain RB ARIZONA STATE
From Oakland
Torain was slowed by ankle, knee and foot injuries last year. To make matters worse, he isn't very elusive and runs high, so he takes big hits. On the flip side, he's a no-nonsense north-south runner who excels at getting yards after contact.

5 13(148) Carlton Powell DT VIRGINIA TECH
Powell lacks the closing speed to develop into an effective pass-rusher. He misses the occasional open-field tackle, but plays with good leverage and has the upper-body strength to shed blocks. He is a better run-stopper than his size would suggest.

6 17(183) Spencer Larsen ILB ARIZONA
From Houston
He is a tough and instinctive inside linebacker with good awareness in pass coverage. He plays with a mean streak and he is not the type of guy you want to meet in a dark alley. He plays too high at times and has trouble shedding blocks. He is overaggressive at times and finds himself out of position.

7 13(220) Joshua Barrett S ARIZONA STATE
He is a physical safety who possesses great size and has the ability to re-route receivers at the line of scrimmage. He is aggressive in run support and sheds blocks very well. He plays with a high motor and takes good angles to the ball and has sound ability to make the solid open-field tackle. His knee injury may have been more severe than we thought and is perhaps the reason he slid in the draft.

7 20(227) Peyton Hillis FB ARKANSAS
From Tampa Bay
He is a versatile athlete who is a technician and gives good effort as a blocker. He does a solid job of adjusting on the move and sustaining blocks. Hilis is an excellent route-runner and can find the open area when the quarterback scrambles, but he lacks ideal strength and base of a traditional iso-blocker. He also needs to improve his hands.

[spdirty]

Cool. Got the guy I wanted with Clady.

Who knows, could be 2003 or 2006, but lord knows we addressed our needs this draft. Im happy so far with it.

In fact, Im happy with our last 3 drafts so far.

[Dukes]

Nothing flashy. Just solid contributors. Exactly what this team needs.

[Dukes]

I'm still hoping we can bring a couple rookie kickers into camp.

[Rohirrim]

These all seem to be the same type: Guys who have good character and play with a mean streak.

[Cmac821]

I'm still hoping we can bring a couple rookie kickers into camp.

Yah I figured we would have goten one in the draft.

[loborugger]

I have to say I am excited that we drafted a fullback - an actual fullback. Yes, it was the 7th round, but we drafted a FB.

Additionally, Hilis is an excellent route-runner and can find the open area when the quarterback scrambles. I remember Griff being the outlet guy for Elway - or hell, the primary target - on a # of plays, esp near the goal line.

I have never bothered with an adopt-a-Bronco, but maybe it is time for one.

[Cmac821]

Wish we could have gotten the S out of Army instead of Joshua Barrett. But we were 1 pick to late.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

Solid Draft... Clady, Lichtenstieger, and Hillis were great picks. Clady just fell into our lap due to the chain reaction set off by the retards in Atlanta.... which made the Chiefs draft a spectacular one as well....

[Tombstone RJ]

Spencer Larsen went on a Mormon Mission for two years. WTF is this analysis that he's "not the type of guy you want to meet in a dark alley"?

[Dukes]

Spencer Larsen went on a Mormon Mission for two years. WTF is this analysis that he's "not the type of guy you want to meet in a dark alley"?

Maybe his hobby is MMA? :)

[SureShot]

Spencer Larsen went on a Mormon Mission for two years. WTF is this analysis that he's "not the type of guy you want to meet in a dark alley"?

What does one have to do with the other?

[Sassy]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/resources/custom/Images/2008draft_main2.jpg

[TheDave]

On paper I'm real happy with it... :thumbs:

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I dont really wanna meet anyone in a dark alley

[Lestat]

solid draft with guys who will contribute & could develop into key pieces.
not flashy but effective. boy i hope Barrett turns into a 1st round talent

[jutang]

Initially looks like a great draft for Denver. Hardly any head scratchers at all. Addressed a lot of the teams weaknesses and some definite contributors this year on ST. As mentioned before, the FO targeted high character guys more in the mold of the Patriots model.

[Tombstone RJ]

What does one have to do with the other?

Obviously, you've never spent much time around a Mormon....

[dreasher54]

i am very happy with this years draft.

[Paladin]

The Patriosts' model. Well stated. Also IOndy. We may be able to watcvh a very good team emerge towards the end of next year. That should excite the masses again..........

[iforgotmypassword]

I love the draft. This team got the added talent we needed.

[TheChamp24]

I'm just hoping we hit on a couple 2nd day picks. Not expecting much, but hopefully a couple of them turn out to be contributors.
I love the Clady pick though.
As for Royal, a little iffy on him, but the role we have for him is perfect. Some might say its high or a bad pick, but Hester was picked primarily to be a return specialist with hopes of being a good CB(which he didn't) and now is a WR.

[lex]

I give it a C+. Here is the breakdown:

OK, here is a breakdown of my grading:





Rd Name Weighted Grade
1 Ryan Clady 7 23% 2 0.451612903
2 Eddie Royal 6 19% 3 0.580645161
4 Kory Lichtensteiger 4 13% 2 0.258064516
4 Jack Williams 4 13% 2 0.258064516
5 Ryan Torain 3 10% 0 0
5 Carlton Powell 3 10% 3 0.290322581
6 Spencer Larsen 2 6% 3 0.193548387
7 Josh Barrett 1 3% 4 0.129032258
7 Peyton Hillis 1 3% 4 0.129032258
31 2.290322581


As you can see overall its a 2.29 which equates to a C+ since my scale was A=4, B=3, C=2, and D=1. A B- would have been 2.5. So 2.25 is the dividing line for a C+.

I gave Clady a C because we could have chosen any OT not named Jake Long and we took the one who played against the worst level of competition and therefore least proven...and probably least pro ready. That doesnt mean he's a bad player but its in relation to who we could have had.

I changed my grade on Royal. I like him as a player but there were other areas I would have emphasized here and drafting him meant forgoing something more important...not only that this was a frustration foul by Shanahan because we wasted a 2nd in getting Walker and Shanahan is going ahab on us with his quest to land Devin Hester. If he likes Hester so much, whey did we kick to him.

Ryan Torain was a dreadful pick and it caused me to dock the grade on the Spencer Larsen pick. If we wanted a ILB, we could have had Goff where we took Torain, whom we likely could have signed as a UFA or drafted later. Massive reach in addition to being a bad pick of the Cecil Sapp variety.

I really like Spencer Larsen but we could have had Goff earlier so what would have been an A went to a B.

Josh Barrett and Peyton Hillis had tremendous value for where they were picked.

[SureShot]

Obviously, you've never spent much time around a Mormon....

I have have. My cousins were great wrestlers.

[SureShot]

I give it a C+. Here is the breakdown:

OK, here is a breakdown of my grading:





Rd Name Weighted Grade
1 Ryan Clady 7 23% 2 0.451612903
2 Eddie Royal 6 19% 3 0.580645161
4 Kory Lichtensteiger 4 13% 2 0.258064516
4 Jack Williams 4 13% 2 0.258064516
5 Ryan Torain 3 10% 0 0
5 Carlton Powell 3 10% 3 0.290322581
6 Spencer Larsen 2 6% 3 0.193548387
7 Josh Barrett 1 3% 4 0.129032258
7 Peyton Hillis 1 3% 4 0.129032258
31 2.290322581


As you can see overall its a 2.29 which equates to a C+ since my scale was A=4, B=3, C=2, and D=1. A B- would have been 2.5. So 2.25 is the dividing line for a C+.

I gave Clady a C because we could have chosen any OT not named Jake Long and we took the one who played against the worst level of competition and therefore least proven...and probably least pro ready. That doesnt mean he's a bad player but its in relation to who we could have had.

I changed my grade on Royal. I like him as a player but there were other areas I would have emphasized here and drafting him meant forgoing something more important...not only that this was a frustration foul by Shanahan because we wasted a 2nd in getting Walker and Shanahan is going ahab on us with his quest to land Devin Hester. If he likes Hester so much, whey did we kick to him.

Ryan Torain was a dreadful pick and it caused me to dock the grade on the Spencer Larsen pick. If we wanted a ILB, we could have had Goff where we took Torain, whom we likely could have signed as a UFA or drafted later. Massive reach in addition to being a bad pick of the Cecil Sapp variety.

I really like Spencer Larsen but we could have had Goff earlier so what would have been an A went to a B.

Josh Barrett and Peyton Hillis had tremendous value for where they were picked.

I give you a 1.17 which in my weighted scale = idiot fanboy.

[Bronco Jamus]

I am super happy with this draft. We got an actual fullback!

[lex]

I give you a 1.17 which in my weighted scale = idiot fanboy.


So sad.

[SureShot]

So sad.

No this is sad.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=68052

[lex]

No this is sad.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=68052
Im disowning you like the garbage you are. Have fun on ignore fanboy.

[MechanicalBull]

On paper I am very happy with this draft and like pretty much all of the picks we made. Of course I'm reserving judgement until these guys actually step on the field.

You can't say oh we should've took this player or that player. We don't know what these coaches and scouts know. Goff obviously dropped because not only the Broncos but other teams didn't like him. Look how all of these WRs went this draft and how the so called one of the top LBs Dan Connor dropped to the middle of the third round. Not just Bronco fans but with all fans just because on guy or position was picked instead of the one you wanted doesn't make it a bad selection. For all we know Larsen and/or Torian will be good players and Goff won't or vice versa but no one can tell that right now.

[footstepsfrom#27]

It's impossible to "grade" a draft for at least two years, and after finally getting the OT we need for backside protection, I'm happy no matter what transpired later. As for the rest of the draft...I'm not overly impressed but I've said that before and things turned out great. Most of these guys I've never seen play so I can't be to confident in my opinion. I know who I hoped we'd take and we got none of them. I wanted Goff and his 245 pounds/4.6 speed...got a guy with minimal atletic ability whose 25 years old. I wanted 328 pound Red Bryant who is a run stuffing monster and got a 300 pound guy who fills the same role. I wanted a second OT to play the right side (Carl Nicks) and got none. I wanted Owen Schmidt and got Peyton Hillis. On the positive side, Kory Lichtensteiger looks like a very solid pick who might be Nalen's heir apparent. Royal might be just what the doctor ordered as a super quick slot guy who can also stretch the field. We haven't had a true deep threat since Lelie and he was useless in the short zones...plus our return game sucks. The late picks with Barrett and Hillis are probably worth looking at. Why we drafted the ASU guy is a mystery...isn't he just Mike Bell?

Overall if I had to guess I'd say we should get a B- because we needed more beef in the D-line and went corner instead, plus we could have taken higher rated players in several spots but we at least got the one thing we needed most in Clady and a couple of intriguing athletes later in the draft that could pan out. If we get 3 eventual starters and 2 solid guys for special teams I'll be happy.

[montrose]

Here's my first, post-draft/pre-UDFA signing, 53 man guess

(2) QB: Cutler, Ramsey - Hackney back to the PS.
(3) RB: Henry, Young, Torian - Hall and Bell don't make it.
(3) FB: Sapp, Hillis, P.Smith - Smith sticks around because of ST.
(5) WR: Marshall, Colbert, Stokley, D.Jackson, Royal - Martinez no longer needed while Royal ousts Parker.
(3) TE: Graham, Scheffler, N.Jackson - Mustard may be week-in, week-out again.
(4) OT: Clady, Harris, Pears, Kuper - This looks set.
(3) G: Hamilton, Holland, Lichtensteiger - Kuper and Wiegmann can also play G.
(2) C: Nalen, Wiegmann - Hamilton and Lichtensteiger can also play C.

(5) DE: Dumervil, Engelberger, Ekuban, Crowder, Moss - No suprises.
(4) DT: Robertson, Thomas, McKinley, Powell - Peterson or Mallard could stick, but unlikely.
(7) LB: D.Williams, Koutouvides, B.Bailey, Winborn, Larsen, Green, Beck - Webster doesn't play ST, Beck and Green do, well.
(5) CB: C.Bailey, Bly, Foxworth, Paymah, J.Williams - Keep an eye on a trade for Foxworth or Paymah.
(4) S: Lynch, Abdullah, McCree, Barrett - Could try to keep Manuel and sneak Barrett on the PS.

(3) ST: Prater, Paulescu, Leach - Assuming FG's are no longer a strength, team could say goodbye to Leach.

[SoCalBronco]

Here's my first, post-draft/pre-UDFA 53 man guess

(2) QB: Cutler, Ramsey
(3) RB: Henry, Young, Torian
(3) FB: Sapp, Hillis, P.Smith
(6) WR: Marshall, Colbert, Stokley, D.Jackson, Royal, Martinez
(3) TE: Graham, Scheffler, N.Jackson
(4) OT: Clady, Harris, Pears, Kuper
(3) G: Hamilton, Holland, Lichtensteiger
(2) C: Nalen, Wiegmann

(5) DE: Dumervil, Engelberger, Ekuban, Crowder, Moss
(4) DT: Robertson, Thomas, McKinley, Powell
(6) LB: D.Williams, Koutouvides, B.Bailey, Winborn, Larsen, Green
(5) CB: C.Bailey, Bly, Foxworth, Paymah, J.Williams
(4) S: Lynch, Abdullah, McCree, Barrett

(3) ST: Prater, Paulescu, Leach

Substitute Anubis for Paulescu and we're good to go.

[Rohirrim]

Sorry, even the Great Anubis can't replace Paul "The Beast" Paulescu.

[Atlas]

I give it a C+. Here is the breakdown:

OK, here is a breakdown of my grading:





Rd Name Weighted Grade
1 Ryan Clady 7 23% 2 0.451612903
2 Eddie Royal 6 19% 3 0.580645161
4 Kory Lichtensteiger 4 13% 2 0.258064516
4 Jack Williams 4 13% 2 0.258064516
5 Ryan Torain 3 10% 0 0
5 Carlton Powell 3 10% 3 0.290322581
6 Spencer Larsen 2 6% 3 0.193548387
7 Josh Barrett 1 3% 4 0.129032258
7 Peyton Hillis 1 3% 4 0.129032258
31 2.290322581


As you can see overall its a 2.29 which equates to a C+ since my scale was A=4, B=3, C=2, and D=1. A B- would have been 2.5. So 2.25 is the dividing line for a C+.

I gave Clady a C because we could have chosen any OT not named Jake Long and we took the one who played against the worst level of competition and therefore least proven...and probably least pro ready. That doesnt mean he's a bad player but its in relation to who we could have had.

I changed my grade on Royal. I like him as a player but there were other areas I would have emphasized here and drafting him meant forgoing something more important...not only that this was a frustration foul by Shanahan because we wasted a 2nd in getting Walker and Shanahan is going ahab on us with his quest to land Devin Hester. If he likes Hester so much, whey did we kick to him.

Ryan Torain was a dreadful pick and it caused me to dock the grade on the Spencer Larsen pick. If we wanted a ILB, we could have had Goff where we took Torain, whom we likely could have signed as a UFA or drafted later. Massive reach in addition to being a bad pick of the Cecil Sapp variety.

I really like Spencer Larsen but we could have had Goff earlier so what would have been an A went to a B.

Josh Barrett and Peyton Hillis had tremendous value for where they were picked.


C+ WTH? I thought this was the worst draft in history? Weren't you trying to lead a revolt earlier because the draft sucked so bad. I think you owe everyone an apology. Or at least everyone who happened to read your earlier threads.

All that yelling and screaming and you gave them a C+???

[Atlas]

Here's my first, post-draft/pre-UDFA signing, 53 man guess

(2) QB: Cutler, Ramsey - Hackney back to the PS.
(3) RB: Henry, Young, Torian - Hall and Bell don't make it.
(3) FB: Sapp, Hillis, P.Smith - Smith sticks around because of ST.
(5) WR: Marshall, Colbert, Stokley, D.Jackson, Royal - Martinez no longer needed while Royal ousts Parker.
(3) TE: Graham, Scheffler, N.Jackson - Mustard may be week-in, week-out again.
(4) OT: Clady, Harris, Pears, Kuper - This looks set.
(3) G: Hamilton, Holland, Lichtensteiger - Kuper and Wiegmann can also play G.
(2) C: Nalen, Wiegmann - Hamilton and Lichtensteiger can also play C.

(5) DE: Dumervil, Engelberger, Ekuban, Crowder, Moss - No suprises.
(4) DT: Robertson, Thomas, McKinley, Powell - Peterson or Mallard could stick, but unlikely.
(7) LB: D.Williams, Koutouvides, B.Bailey, Winborn, Larsen, Green, Beck - Webster doesn't play ST, Beck and Green do, well.
(5) CB: C.Bailey, Bly, Foxworth, Paymah, J.Williams - Keep an eye on a trade for Foxworth or Paymah.
(4) S: Lynch, Abdullah, McCree, Barrett - Could try to keep Manuel and sneak Barrett on the PS.

(3) ST: Prater, Paulescu, Leach - Assuming FG's are no longer a strength, team could say goodbye to Leach.

That's pretty good. I think you might see Paul Smith get cut. Shanny loves Sapp, plus Smith carries a higher price tag and was suppossed to be a special Teams demon who was all but invisible last year. I also wouldn't be surprised if Torian ended up on the practice squad or the mysterious IR.

[SureShot]

C+ WTH? I thought this was the worst draft in history? Weren't you trying to lead a revolt earlier because the draft sucked so bad. I think you owe everyone an apology. Or at least everyone who happened to read your earlier threads.

All that yelling and screaming and you gave them a C+???

He is so mentally unstable he put me on ignore because I brought one of his lame that was sent to the butt. LOL

[lex]

C+ WTH? I thought this was the worst draft in history? Weren't you trying to lead a revolt earlier because the draft sucked so bad. I think you owe everyone an apology. Or at least everyone who happened to read your earlier threads.

All that yelling and screaming and you gave them a C+???

You think C+ is good? It would have been higher. Essentially that RB situation was a 5 pt deduction (1 for Royal, 4 for Torain, and 1 for Larsen).

[Finger Roll]

what is up with this draft grading BS? These players haven't even played a down for the Broncos and some lame ass lex is giving us a C+. All these miss cleo's need to get a life.

[TheChamp24]

I like our draft. I think we did good. Saying you don't like some one because of the competition they face, well, some pretty good HOFers played at some low level colleges. Jerry Rice, Brett Favre, Steve McNair(maybe not a HOFer, but still a damn good QB), and I know some good OT's that have come out in the past 10-15 years didn't all come from a big time conference.

[lex]

what is up with this draft grading BS? These players haven't even played a down for the Broncos and some lame ass lex is giving us a C+. All these miss cleo's need to get a life.


Yeah, and you might as well shut down the Mane and all sports themed, fan supported web sites while your at it. Makes sense. Nice try.

[BMF Bronco]

I am super happy with this draft. We got an actual fullback!

Wow, we agree for once! :)

Not only did we get a fullback but being from Arkansas and blocking for McFadden and the other horse from Ark, I think he will be a good addition for Henry and Selvin.

[gunns]

I am super happy with this draft. We got an actual fullback!

I was thrilled about this also. I've read that many experts had him rated higher than Schmitt and I didn't realize he was the FB that opened the holes for McFadden and Jones. Could we have Howard Griffth II?

[Atlas]

That's pretty good. I think you might see Paul Smith get cut. Shanny loves Sapp, plus Smith carries a higher price tag and was suppossed to be a special Teams demon who was all but invisible last year. I also wouldn't be surprised if Torian ended up on the practice squad or the mysterious IR.

Hey can someone rep me? Paul Smith got cut today!!! My best prediction ever since I stated it just about 5 hours before it happened. Yaaayyyyyyyy

[Rohirrim]

Hey can someone rep me? Paul Smith got cut today!!! My best prediction ever since I stated it just about 5 hours before it happened. Yaaayyyyyyyy

:notworthy

[Odysseus]

I was thrilled about this also. I've read that many experts had him rated higher than Schmitt and I didn't realize he was the FB that opened the holes for McFadden and Jones. Could we have Howard Griffth II?

Having a real FB should make a difference in the long run. Our running attack has been anemic for a long time. It's too hot and cold. We don't make critical downs and many times rely on trick plays or experimental crap that only works once. If this pick works out I would say this draft was very successful in solving several long term key problems for the Broncos.

[Atlas]

:notworthy

LMAO!! I am right so rarely you know!!

[Kaylore]

I gave Clady a C because we could have chosen any OT not named Jake Long and we took the one who played against the worst level of competition and therefore least proven...and probably least pro ready. That doesnt mean he's a bad player but its in relation to who we could have had.



http://www.thedeets.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/millionaire_idiot_fail.jpg

[Finger Roll]

what is up with this draft grading BS? These players haven't even played a down for the Broncos and some lame ass lex is giving us a C+. All these miss cleo's need to get a life.

What do you have to say now Lex about my old commentHilarious!