Broncos Draft "Situation Critical"

[wolf754life]

Its that time of year, time for me to put out my draft hopes and hope someone at Dove valley reads this, (lol, just kidding) I didn't quite see 3 corners and Maurice last year.

We have to go WR at 15. Everyone knows why, I like the Jackson kid, he is an athlete, very underrated hands, he will be a solid pro for a long time.

At 22, this is where the Broncos go off the Map and either take Manny Lawson there, a slight reach, or trade down into the early second to take him. Lawson is a hot commodity at this point, he is climbing up draft boards everywhere, and if the broncos want some elite young talent with upside when it comes to a pure SPEED rusher, it has to be lawson, hali, kiwi from boston college, the other ends at that point simply don't have the upside. Lawson will be a nickel and dime pass rusher initially, then move into the lineup next year after he bulks up. The kid is 6'5 3/8, 241 lbs, and runs a 4.34 forty. He will be 260 by camp, and play between 260 to 270 his whole career.

In the second round it will be time to address either the tight end, running back, or free safety position. My bet is on the tight end, all reports keep talking about Klopenstein from CU, but I think the broncos have their eyes on someone else. The problem here is that there is going to be a major run in the second round at TE. Think about it, Mercedes Lewis, Leonard Pope, Anthony Fasano, Dominique Byrd, David Thomas and the before mentioned Klopenstein. This is why Trading out of the first to mid second is a huge consideration, to get the tight end they want. If they don't trade down the broncos will be hoping the run on tight ends isn't as long and as deep as forcasted! They will take the the one they want, if not then they will look at RB.

As for runningback the guy the broncos are looking at in the 2nd is obviously unknown, but if Ryan Calhoun from Wisconsin was there in the second they would be hard pressed not to add him to the fold at RB. Calhoun recently ran 4.40 at his personal workout, a small,5'9, bulky back, he would be a great fit, slashing through our zone scheme.

In the Third I really like Pat Watkins, S of Florida State, he is exactly the type of big, fast, rangy, ballhawking safety that can help immediately on special teams and be a starter by mid year, replacing Fergy. Watkins, 6'5, 212 lbs, runs 4.42 and thats moving when you are 6'5, he would also give the team someone to match up with tall recievers inside the redzone.

So to recap, here are my picks for the broncos
PK (ovr)
1a) 15 Chad Jackson WR Florida
1b) 22 Hoping to trade out for an extra second or third rounder this year, but if no trade then, Manny Lawson, DE/LB North Carolina State
2a) 61 Dominique Byrd, TE USC
3a) 93 Pat Watkins S, Florida State
4a) 119 Greg Eslinger, C, Minnessotta
4b) 126 Mike Bell RB, Arizona State
4c) 130 Kellen Clemens, QB, Oregon
5a) 161 Kedric Golston, DT, Georgia
6a) 198 Jeromey Clary OT, Kansas State

In the fourth its got to be value, obviously again at TE, RB, OL, WR or S and possibly a young qb.

The guys for me at that point are two Running backs, Mike Bell of Arizona State and Jerious Norwood of Ole Miss, Greg Eslinger, OL, C, Lombardi Winner from Minnesotta.

Kellen Clemens would give us a great young backup to groom for years, maybe even one day compete for a starting spot, the broncos have neglected quarterback far to long, its time to add some young talent here.

Greg Eslinger is a tough, overachieving, small lineman, a technician in the mold of a ben hamilton, tom nalen. 6'3, 290lbs. The lombardi winner should be available early in the 4th, the broncos would be foolish not to add him to the OL mix. He will give them depth at G and Center. A starter in one to two years, replacing Carlisle, or after Nalen retires, putting him at Center or Gaurd. A critical draft choice for sure!

Many on this board have talked about Mike Bell from the Sun Devils, with good reason, the comparisons are obvious. Bell has great size, 6, 221 lbs, mid 4.5 speed, 221 lbs, solid in all areas, this is the type of back the broncos buy low and sell high! A solid choice for the backfield.

In the later part of the Draft the broncos need to seriously consider adding two solid backup types to bolster both the offensive and defensive lines. Golston is an underachieving physical marvel that could develop from Georgia and Clarey is a solid backup type for the OL.

This is a critcal draft for the Broncos, if this goes poorly Shanny may look back at this draft as his beginning of the end. The broncos will pick safer this year and not gamble as much. In the end they must look hard at addding young fresh talent to the Offensive Side of the Ball and addressing some key positions in terms of depth!

This is the most CRITICAL draft for the donkeys in years!
Go get'em Shanny and Ted

[SoCalBronco]

1a) 15 Chad Jackson WR Florida
I hate this.

1b) 22 Hoping to trade out for an extra second or third rounder this year, but if no trade then, Manny Lawson, DE/LB North Carolina State
I also would like to trade down and pick up some picks this year. No on Lawson at 22.

2a) 61 Dominique Byrd, TE USC
I hate this.
3a) 93 Pat Watkins S, Florida State
Solid.
4a) 119 Greg Eslinger, C, Minnessotta
Dont think he will last till the late 4th. In most years, I would like to go for a perfect system fit like him, but I think Myers or Hamilton will slide over when Nalen retires. Nails has another couple seasons left in him.
4b) 126 Mike Bell RB, Arizona State
Dont like this either. Ive heard from a great source on this board that he is very soft and doesnt work hard either. Being a Broncos fan is nice and all, but still, nope.
4c) 130 Kellen Clemens, QB, Oregon
This would be solid, although I would prefer Gradkowski if he was still there. This is still good though.
5a) 161 Kedric Golston, DT, Georgia
I like the kid, although he isnt a system fit. He would be a better 3-4 DE.
6a) 198 Jeromey Clary OT, Kansas State
He ran a good 40, dont know much else about him. If we want a good project OT on Day 2, Guy Whimper would be a good idea.

[Needa Pass Rush]

What 3rd? Doesn't Atlanta own our 3rd?

[wolf754life]

I don't think so, http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/...aftyear%3D2006

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by wolf754life

I don't think so, http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/...aftyear%3D2006

ESPN Insider is wrong.

[SoCalBronco]

Now that Nate Webster has backed away from being a Bronco, we need a backup LB prospect on Day 2.

Kevin Simon, come on down. Easily the most underrated LB in this draft (along with AJ Nicholson). Hopefully he is there in the 5th, although thats highly unlikely. We did talk to him and im sure DJ put in a good word for him too with the coaches. If it werent for bad luck with injuries and the fact that he is 5'11, he'd be a first round pick.

[wolf754life]

Simon would also help on Special Teams Immediately, great speed and very tough! Keith Burns is not going to be around much longer.

[Popps]

Dream scenario: Trade up for Williams.

Second Best:
#15 Tamba Hali ... Looks like the second best DE in the draft.
We may even be able to bump down a few spots and get an extra pick.

#22 Trade down to the top of the 2nd, draft Mangold. Use the extra picks to get us back into the third round of a deep draft.

We'd have a good DE prospect, the best C prospect in years to keep up our tradition of high quality interior line play... and more picks for depth.

What we'll probably really do:

#15 Joe Fabietz CB, North Valley Automotive Technical College

#22 Will Bustforsure WR, Bakersfield Culinary Academy

[Requiem]

Meh, there are better scenarios. Decent draft.

[wolf754life]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...8&storyID=5411

I was wrong, my bad, not having that 3rd hurts, but it was still a great trade!

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Why would this be a critical draft for the Broncos? They were 13-3 last year and will be just as good this year because they re-signed all the guys they wanted to. They should be great for years to come, even if they don't have a great draft this year.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by Popps

Dream scenario: Trade up for Williams.

Second Best:
#15 Tamba Hali ... Looks like the second best DE in the draft.
We may even be able to bump down a few spots and get an extra pick.

#22 Trade down to the top of the 2nd, draft Mangold. Use the extra picks to get us back into the third round of a deep draft.

We'd have a good DE prospect, the best C prospect in years to keep up our tradition of high quality interior line play... and more picks for depth.

What we'll probably really do:

#15 Joe Fabietz CB, North Valley Automotive Technical College

#22 Will Bustforsure WR, Bakersfield Culinary Academy

15 for Hali is too high. He is falling and there is virtually a 100 percent likelihood he will be there at 22. Probably will last into the 30s I bet.

I like Mangold, but Nails will play another two seasons and the club likes Myers. C is a luxury in this draft. If we went DE at 15 somehow, TE, WR, RB, DT, S, OG are all far more pressing than C.

[Requiem]

Haha, nobody ****ing agrees on what we should do.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Comments from this peanut gallery:

1a) 15 Chad Jackson WR Florida

Not sold on Jackson at all. When all is said and done there will be guys in the later rounds who turn out better.

1b) 22 Hoping to trade out for an extra second or third rounder this year, but if no trade then, Manny Lawson, DE/LB North Carolina State

Lawson will have to play 3-4 LB and I am afraid he is a Malamua combine wonder.

2a) 61 Dominique Byrd, TE USC

Maybe if he is there in the 4th and they have not piced a TE earlier

3a) 93 Pat Watkins S, Florida State

No third round pick

4a) 119 Greg Eslinger, C, Minnessotta

Center is the deepest position on the team with Nalen, Hamilton and Myers. Everybody loves him because he "fits the Bronco profile" but they dont need him.

4b) 126 Mike Bell RB, Arizona State

See SoCal's answer

4c) 130 Kellen Clemens, QB, Oregon

I really like Clemens, but because of his injury, I don't think he will go this high. If Broncs pick QB this early is should be Pinegar or Jacobs.

5a) 161 Kedric Golston, DT, Georgia

Might be OK, but would need time on PS. I think there might be better picks available

6a) 198 Jeromey Clary OT, Kansas State

Hard to tell, but with the depth in this draft, he could fall to be a FA

Of course I have no more credibility thatn anyone else on the Mane or any of the so called draft experts. We will all be wrong.

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by Hercules Rockefeller

Why would this be a critical draft for the Broncos?

How could you even say that? Every draft is critical. Denver isn't a good drafting team. If you don't build on a team in FA, you have to in the draft.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by Requiem

How could you even say that? Every draft is critical. Denver isn't a good drafting team. If you don't build on a team in FA, you have to in the draft.

Herc agrees with you. He is just being sarcastic.

[Requiem]

Pinegar that early Big Guy? Yuck.

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Herc agrees with you. He is just being sarcastic.

Sorry, late night at the casino -- too tired and stupid right now to tell.

[wolf754life]

Its critical because look at our Offense on paper. Very Old, Very Little Depth, Very Limited In General. The right players must be brought in for the next generation of our offense.

QB: Plummer, 31 years old, maybe 3 or 4 yrs from him if all goes well, if not then we look free agency. Van Pelt and Mauck are not ever going to be special starters.

RB: Bell, many questions his intangibles, blocking, toughness, hands, a mild bust at this point. Dayne, nice back, but average in terms of age and ability. This is still the deepest position for the offense, lots of options, but not one standout.

WR: Rod Smith, then everyone else. The picture gets even uglier if you let Lelie walk! David Terrell is not or at least to this point has not been productive, Watts still has upside, Devoe and Adams are classic 4th and 5th recievers, nothing agains Charlie and Todd but if Rod Smith gets hurt our offense is a joke. If the broncos add another Marcus Nash, Travis McGriff, Adrian Madise type then this offense will continue to be limitied. Its critical to add talent to our WR core and do it soon, if not we will have to break the bank in free agency to add marginal talent.

Tight End: Wow, we don't have much here, Stephen Alexander, no thanks, what a band aid, very bad option for the future. Wesley Duke may be our savior, its big for him to continue to grow. A banged up Carswell, some free agents like landon trusty and nate jackson is pillowy soft

Offensive Line: Getting very expensive and old, Lepsis just got paid, Nalen too, Hamilton last year. George Foster continues to hurt us against good pass rushers. Carlisle is average. Depth is solid with Myers and Cornell Green but we could use a young swing man. PJ Alexander is coming of knee surgery, not sure how that will respond

The broncos offense is marginal in talent, with great coaching, ie: Scheme we are able to get the job done, but its time to give shanny more than Ramen Noodles in the cupboard.

And its critical to add a TRUE SPEED RUSH element to our defense, we can't get any pressure, we can't even threaten teams with a speed rush presence! Its Critical to add that element, thats why reaching for Lawson is a must!

THE WINDOW IS CLOSING, NOT GROWING!!!!

[Popps]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

15 for Hali is too high. He is falling and there is virtually a 100 percent likelihood he will be there at 22. Probably will last into the 30s I bet.

I like Mangold, but Nails will play another two seasons and the club likes Myers. C is a luxury in this draft. If we went DE at 15 somehow, TE, WR, RB, DT, S, OG are all far more pressing than C.

I wonder how Nalen is going to hold up over two more seasons. We could start working Mangold into the lineup by the end of this season, I'd think.
He's a great athlete and built perfectly for our system. We'd be set for years. I agree that it might not be the most pressing need, but it's a chance to take a guy who's almost a sure thing, and the highest rated at his position. We're not going to get that at WR, RB or TE without trading up.

I wonder why Hali is falling, but that's probably good news. From what I read, he's the 2nd best complete DE prospect in the draft. He was very productive in college.

[Popps]

Originally Posted by wolf754life

THE WINDOW IS CLOSING, NOT GROWING!!!!

Great post. But, you'll have a hard time selling that around here. A large percentage of the people think we're a "talented, young team" that will be on top for years. Of course, there's no rational basis for that... and a simple look at our progress over the past 5 years tells you that we're at the TOP of a pendulum swing, but.. facts be damned.

[wolf754life]

Hali isn't the biggest or fastest pass rusher but has a non-stop motor. Very safe pick, but thats not what you draft in the middle of round 1

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by Popps

Great post. But, you'll have a hard time selling that around here. A large percentage of the people think we're a "talented, young team" that will be on top for years. Of course, there's no rational basis for that... and a simple look at our progress over the past 5 years tells you that we're at the TOP of a pendulum swing, but.. facts be damned.

Depends on what you call old. I don't call 28-29 years old. Our best shot is now, but looking at our roster, we have some very solid young talent.

[epicSocialism4tw]

These things are certainties:
Denver will draft a RB, WR, QB, C/G, TE, and a DT

Where they go in the draft is anybody's guess

[HEAV]

Funny how RB is missing from this mock draft.....................

I'm saying it for the last time. RB round one people.