SoCal's Broncos targets at each slot

[SoCalBronco]

PICK 15

As you guys know, my first overall choice is Lendale White, RB of USC. I am not significantly disturbed by his problematic offseason. He weighed in lighter at his infamous pro day than he played in the Rose Bowl. Lendale has a great deal of ability. He runs with excellent power and vision and has the speed to break off some runs for huge gains. Maybe not 80 yd. TDs, but certainly 30-35 yd. runs. He can move the pile very well and is improving as a pass receiver. He truly has star ability. Our offense is increasingly relying on the inside zone run game supplemented with the FB lead via Kyle Johnson as opposed to the outside zone runs. Lendale will be able to run it down people's throats like no other back in this draft. Denver has struggled for several years in short yardage and in the red zone. If nothing else, he will provide a huge upgrade in this area immediately. We will be able to wear people down with a real "stud buffalo" in the backfield. He also has quite the nose for the endzone and accomplished two straight 1,000 yard seasons despite having to split carries. I believe he will be a perfect fit for us. Comparisons to Maurice Clarett are laughable. White has no record of being a lockerroom cancer, loser, someone teammates hate, troublemaker etc. Wabbit reported that in his most recent meeting with Denver he was very impressive (both in his responses and his appearance). Denver should not be concerned about the hamstring injury. White is projected to come back in Mid-May. As you folks know, beginning last year, Shanny has eschewed the common post-draft May minicamp in favor of two camps right before the full training camp so as to create one continuous learning process, so Lendale should be at 100 percent at that point.

My second choice for this slot is Florida State's DT Broderick Bunkley. Bunkley was extremely active penetrating interior OL this year, racking up 25 TFL and over 10 sacks. This is even more impressive given that he was without his likewise impressive teammate, DT Clifton *****on, another special Seminoles lineman, who was ineligible for the year. Bunkley is an excellent fit in our one gap system and will do a great job with Gerard Warren getting a great push from the middle. Opposing teams will not be able to double team and maul Warren (See e.g. 2005 NYG game). Like most 4-3 one gap teams, Denver plays with a 3 technique and 1 technique, that is, one DT is shaded to the slight outside of the RG and the other shaded to the slight inside of the left guard. Any double teams by the center on one DT, will leave the other DT with a great advantage since he already has the advantage over the guard as he is positioned right into the gap between the center and guard to his side since he is not directly over the guard but slightly shaded closer to that gap. The offense is going to have a problem with two threats at DT in this scheme. Bunkley would provide huge benefits to the DL in this regard.

My third choice at this spot is another RB DeAngelo Williams of Memphis. Despite not looking like a big back, Williams plays like one. He can run inside and make plays on the leads, fold plays and straight inside zone runs, as well as cut it outside and flash his speed and moves. Williams is also a bona fide weapon in the passing game. He may have been the most impressive player at the Senior Bowl and showed that he could own against the best seniors from the premier conferences. He has somewhat of an injury history but is still well deserving of this pick.

My fourth choice at this spot is a tie between TE Marcedes Lewis and RB Laurence Maroney. Maroney has an excellent pedigree: he played and was extremely successful in Glen Mason's Minnesota's zone run game which is very similar to Denver's offense. He possesses the experience and vision necessary for this system and he can also move piles. 15 might be a tad high value wise, but he certainly will be quite effective especially for a team like Denver. NFL Draft Guru Mike Mayock actually has Maroney ranked as the No. 2 RB in the draft. TE Marcedes Lewis of UCLA is a prospect that I have liked for a long time. Marcedes is an excellent weapon. He can stretch it deep (despite his 40 time) and he can work the underneath routes very well. He is a prime target in the red zone being 6'6'' and has made tremendous strides his last two years at UCLA, winning the Mackey Award as a Senior. He is very productive, knows how to sit down in the windows in zones and can seperate from defenders. He is a very smooth route runner and has super hands. He needs some work in getting off the line of scrimmage cleaner (as well as run blocking) but he is a fine, fine prospect. I was privileged to watch him play and dominate the best team in the country as a high school senior (although his team lost) and his rapid growth as a prospect, especially the last two years shows why he was the no. 1 TE recruit in the country that year. He has a very bright future.

PICK 37

Any of the remaining targets from the 15th slot are obviously a very strong consideration. In addition, Maurice Stovall, wide receiver out of Notre Dame should be squarely on Denver's draft radar. Stovall has excellent size and sure hands. He developed well this year under Charlie Weis and thus has experience in the more complicated pro style offense that he will have to play in when he gets to the league. Stovall is very consistent and is a perfect possession target for the Broncos, who are in dire need of such a player since the retirement of Ed McCaffrey. Stovall was quite impressive at the Senior Bowl practices in the area of outmuscling corners on the line. Boston College's Mathias Kiwanuka and Penn State's Tamba Hali are the two others who merit "top consideration" along with Stovall at this pick. These pair of defensive ends would provide an immediate upgrade over what Denver has at End, currently. Hali is the type of player that does not necessarily stand out in one area, but is solid in all. He still must refine aspects of his game, but should be at least a solid NFL DE, in addition to being a high character guy. It is realistic that he may drop to this point due to what is being perceived as a poor draft related postseason. Kiwanuka is a monster physical specimen who was a projected Top 3 2006 pick a year ago when he decided to forego the 2005 draft. A Virginia Cavalier cheap shotted him this season and that injury lingered all year long but "Kiwi" is a great talent. In 2004 he had 11.5 sacks and a massive 25 TFL despite being "a work in progress" according to his Defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani. Kiwi would be a great pick for Denver here should be continue to slide. Another "top consideration" here is TE Leonard Pope of Georgia if Denver has not addressed the position already and he is still there. Pope is a massive target who will provide a huge boost in the red zone immediately. He is a major threat to the defense and should become a top notch NFL TE, although his height concerns some in relation to his blocking. I nonetheless feel he would be a great addition at this spot. The Georgia product is also a high character player.

PICK 61
Should Denver not select TE earlier, Notre Dame's Anthony Fasano should recieve top consideration here. While not a speedy target who can stretch defenses, Fasano is very sure handed and would be a very reliable and excellent underneath and intermediate target. I rank him as the best TE outside of the "Big Three" and Denver has reportedly been extremely interested in him as well. USC's Darnell Bing should merit very strong consideration from Denver at this spot. Although Bing is a great hitter and quickly gets to the flat in run support, he also has made plays against the pass, especially in clutch situations, although he has some room to improve in the pass game. He has the tools to be outstanding in both aspects in the NFL. He started out his USC career with a bang in his first season starting and has not developed as fast as one would like, but he still holds great upside for his NFL career. Like Marcedes Lewis, he comes from an NFL Factory: Long Beach Poly HS. A wide receiver prospect Denver also should keep an eye on is Oregon's Demetrius Williams. Williams was the most impressive WR prospect at the Senior Bowl practices and made huge strides in his career at Oregon, becoming an excellent deep ball player his senior year. He also runs very good routes and can get seperation. The acquisition of Demetrius would go a long way towards replacing the deep ball element that Ashley Lelie has very capably provided in his time in Denver. Williams would be a nice complement to either Fasano or Stovall if Denver can get two of the three so that they could have a move the chains guy as well as a big play guy. Alabama's undersized DE Mark Anderson also warrants key consideration here. He is an excellent pass rusher and a very hard worker. He made some of the top OTs, including D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Eric Winston look silly in the Senior Bowl practices. Mark is undersized but Denver can use him as a pass rush specialist at first on passing downs and have him slowly bulk up into a full fledged starter. Texas's Rodrique Wright should warrant great consideration here as well. He had a tremendous sophomore year and did not match it his final two seasons at Texas but he is very gifted as both pass rushing and stopping the run. He holds alot of upside here and I believe he can return to his previous top notch form. He should end up being a very good DT. NC State's John McCargo is another consideration should Denver not select or have the oppurtunity to select Broderick Bunkley at 15 or Wright later.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

If they take White, Maroney, or Lewis at #15, I'm pulling a Garcia.

[SoCalBronco]

CONTINUED

PICK 68
Another DT that would be very good at this point would be Jesse Mahelona of Tennessee. He did not do as well in 2005 as he did in 2004, but he possesses very good pass rushing ability, since he has a great motor and also plays with a very low pad level. There is yet another DT that should get a long look from the Broncos: Virginia Tech's Johnathon Lewis, who I think is a poor man's Mike Patterson. A little undersized but creates a lot of havoc inside. I would be very pleased with him at this point in the draft. Auburn's Stanley McClover presents tremendous upside for the pros. He has been hurt by injuries in his career at Auburn and needs to get stronger, but he is a ferocious pass rusher, he possesses huge athleticism and is going to be a big time pass rusher in the NFL in a few years. Despite being up to around 260, he still need work against the run and just getting stronger in general but he would help immediately in pass rushing situations and will eventually be a fine complete DE, with high sack potential. Despite having a poor showing in the pre-draft events, Arizona State's Derek Hagan would be decent value in the 3rd round. He's a big WR, who was very productive in college, both going deep and moving the chains. If he chooses to play WR full time in the pros (I actually think he would be better at CB, but good at both), Boston College's Will Blackmon should be a consideration. He can immediately upgrade the return game and take pressure off of D-Will in that area and also be a big threat in the passing game. Blackmon is a great athlete, with great speed and was a lockdown corner and projected 1st rounder until he sacrificed for his team and played WR as a senior due to a crisis at the position. Blackmon led the team's WRs in productivity and was a threat every game despite being very raw at the position. He will need continued coaching at the position but can be a productive player and certainly will immediately provide a huge spark as a returner, since he was one of the best in the country. Should Denver ignore TE till this point, Oregon's Tim Day would be a very good choice here. He was somewhat marginalized in Oregon's new gun option offense but he is very talented and would be an excellent addition. Day is a very underrated prospect and the 5th best TE overall in my opinion.


I will provide my Day 2 desired targets tomorrow.

[Borks147]

so for you manny lawson isn't even a consideration at 15 ?

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by aborquez147

so for you manny lawson isn't even a consideration at 15 ?

Not at 15, no.

I dont expect him to be there at 37, so I didnt bother to talk about him there. I also didnt talk about Donte Whitner and some other prospects I like because I dont believe they will be there in spots lower than our 15th pick.

[Borks147]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Not at 15, no.

I dont expect him to be there at 37, so I didnt bother to talk about him there. I also didnt talk about Donte Whitner and some other prospects I like because I dont believe they will be there in spots lower than our 15th pick.

just wondering why you don't like him at 15...is it because you believe he is too small for what we would want to use him as and therefore a waste of a pick, or do you just think he isn't any good. I mean, I would def. take him over Maroney or Lewis. Lewis will be there at 37 and if we're going to take a running back in the first it will be white

[Needa Pass Rush]

Originally Posted by aborquez147

so for you manny lawson isn't even a consideration at 15 ?

I personally love Manny Lawson anywhere in the Broncos current slotting. I think he has impact player written all over him.

I like Fassano and Stoval with our 2's, as well. Getting both Fighting Irish guys would probably aid in their assimilation into the league. It would give the two young guys someone to study and work with.... Moral support... the whole thing. Just seems there may be some side benefits like that by bringing in teammates.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Great thoughts as usual SoCal.

Quick Look and My comments:

Pick 15 - Bunkley as the number one target. Te rest are pretty much in line with my thoughts.

Pick 37 - Move Pope to the top of the list and Stoval to the bottom.

Pick 61 - Move Anderson to the top of the list and replace Fasano with Hagan. I am hesitant about Bing and don't like McCargo. Replace McCargo with Wroten, M Stanley or Kyle Williams. Might be a little early for him, but I tend to like R Harper better than Bing.

Pick 68 - Too high for Blackmon - an athlete without a position. Add Tim Day or Travis Wilson and move them toward the top, depending on what has happened earlier


Need to find some running backs that fit if they don't take one at 15. Thats a stumper for me - once you get past Adaii, I can't get excited about any of them.

[ludo21]

This is why i love the OM.

Great job SoCal.

[Broncoman13]

Here I go. My 3 days until the draft Mock!

#15 Santonio Holmes (Hate the pick, but all indications lead me to this pick.)
#37 Laurence Maroney (Addai goes to Indy and Maroney slips to us... love it!)
#61 Ko Simpson (Suprised he's available? Don't be, he's falling right to us!)
#68 Charles Spencer (A mauler with good feet... HELLO!)

DT needs to be addressed, I just don't see the Broncos going after one unless Rod Wright or Wroten are available in the 4th... or Bunkley is somehow available in the 1st. Mark my words though, Bunkley will be a top 10 pick!

[ludo21]

MY turn:

15 - Lendale
37 - Hali (if he doesnt drop....) Lewis
61 - Wright
68 - Stovall (if not available, Hagan)

[Kaylore]

Great job, SoCal. I can tell you did your homework.

I hate the White, DeAngelo picks, but beyond that, they seem to be great. If we even have a shot at Bunkley, I'll go crazy.

[ludo21]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Great job, SoCal. I can tell you did your homework.

I hate the White, DeAngelo picks, but beyond that, they seem to be great. If we even have a shot at Bunkley, I'll go crazy.

If we have a shot at Bunkley, you will be happy, when we pass him up, you will go crazy.

[SoCalBronco]

I want to add that I had Claude Wroten as a key target at 61 but with news that he may have failed a drug test for the 2nd time in 06, I am worried. Although I would like some clarification from anyone who knows whether it was in fact a second positive test or the stuff stayed in his system from the original test. Wroten is a really good talent, but if he ****ed up twice like that in like 2 months time...that has to just close the book on him.

[NFLBRONCO]

Do you think Ricky was actually #1 option for RB this offseason. Now with him off the table does RB move higher up on Denver's draft board wishlist?

[Arkansas Bronco]

In general I liked your entire breakdown SoCal I dont see Bunkley falling to 15 but if he does we need to grab him.

[Arkansas Bronco]

Originally Posted by Big Guy

.....Need to find some running backs that fit if they don't take one at 15. Thats a stumper for me - once you get past Adaii, I can't get excited about any of them.

For all you out there talking about D. Williams injury problems you realy need to take a look at Adaii's past and see who actualy has that problem.

[broncohaven]

I hate all your first round targets except Bunkley. RB in the first is a complete waste imo. You have Marcedes Lewis as an option and not Manny Lawson, who should be our #1 guy if we don't move out of the 15 slot. That's jacked, Lewis shouldn't be mentioned before #61.

Kiwi or Hali would be awesome at #37, but I think the rumors of them falling are greatly exagerrated. I would be okay with Hali at 15 let alone #37.

I think Stovall is overrated Jennings and Nance are better targets who we can probably get in the 4th.

I like Mark Anderson and McCargo, but Daryl Tapp will be the steal of the draft if he's there in the third. He's the only DE who got the better of Ferguson during the season, and he also abused Winston Justice a few times.

Fasano is redundant unless we're going to cut Alexander. Nice blocker, but won't offer a lot in the passing game at the next level. We need a receiving TE over a blocker.

[BroncoInferno]

Originally Posted by broncohaven

I hate all your first round targets except Bunkley. RB in the first is a complete waste imo.

Why? Yes, we all know we all know we can plug anybody back there and get high production, but it's when we get a legit stud like TD or Portis that we really dominate. I want to get back to dominating, not just being very productive. White, Maroney and Williams are all guys who can help us do this, and none are likely to be available @ 37. Maybe we can trade down 5 or 6 spots for an extra 3rd and take one them lower down. I still be happy with any @ 15.

[BombsOverBaghdad]

SoCal, I really have appreciated (all year) your insights on the draft and the college game as a whole. Your contributions bring a great deal to this board -- Thanks!
With that said, I like your summation and agree with most of your takes -- here is my attempt:

15. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis State -- My second choice is Bunkley. Anyone who watched the Senior bowl has to be impressed with Williams.
37. Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame -- I think Fasano is picked earlier than you (in fact, I think he compares very well to Heath Miller who was taken in the 1st by Pitt). If not Fasano then either Kiwi or Hali work very well here.
61. Daryn Colledge OT 6’5 298 Boise St. -- if Colledge is not available the either Spencer from Pitt or Anderson from Alabama
68. Babatunde Oshinowo, DT, Stanford
119. Mike Hass, WR, Ore.State -- In retrospect, I like what Shanny did last year on his run of DB's; this year I repeat the exercise at WR.
126. Brandon Marshall, WR, Cent. Fla.
130. Marques Colston, WR, Hofstra
161. Joe Toledo, T, Washington
198. Manase Hopoi, DT, Washington

[broncohaven]

Originally Posted by BroncoInferno

Why? Yes, we all know we all know we can plug anybody back there and get high production, but it's when we get a legit stud like TD or Portis that we really dominate. I want to get back to dominating, not just being very productive. White, Maroney and Williams are all guys who can help us do this, and none are likely to be available @ 37. Maybe we can trade down 5 or 6 spots for an extra 3rd and take one them lower down. I still be happy with any @ 15.

TD came in the 6th, Portis in the 2nd. I don't see why this year is any different in where you can find a stud RB. There's no guarantees that White, Williams or Maroney will be any better than Bell or Dayne.

You have to look at what makes the team better overall. We have serious holes at TE and DL, and taking a RB in the first won't improve the team like addressing one of those positions will. Yes, we could probably upgrade the RB position with Maroney, but it wouldn't be as much of an upgrade as getting a stud DL or TE.

[Orange_Beard]

I would be VERY happy with that draft,
Great post.

[Darkhawk24]

Good work SoCal. If the Broncos were to target White I'd hope they'd move back a few spots. Bunkley would be a great pick at #15. Too bad I think the Browns will be all over him if he is still there at their pick.

In your 2nd and 3rd round you covered guys I'd atleast like them to consider. I assume you think the Walker - Broncos deal is pretty much dead?

[BroncoInferno]

Originally Posted by broncohaven

TD came in the 6th, Portis in the 2nd. I don't see why this year is any different in where you can find a stud RB. There's no guarantees that White, Williams or Maroney will be any better than Bell or Dayne.

You have to look at what makes the team better overall. We have serious holes at TE and DL, and taking a RB in the first won't improve the team like addressing one of those positions will. Yes, we could probably upgrade the RB position with Maroney, but it wouldn't be as much of an upgrade as getting a stud DL or TE.

Unfortunately, #15 is not a good value spot for TEs or DLs in this draft. The only positions that figure to have prospects worthy of #15 that fit into our need areas are WR (arguably), safety and RB. The best value spot for a TE and DL will be with our two 2nd rounders. Besides, I disagree with the idea that a more dominant running game won't make us better overall. In the second half of the season, both Bell and Anderson wore down. We were pretty good, but not that dominant, and in the playoffs not very good at all.

[broncohaven]

Originally Posted by BroncoInferno

Unfortunately, #15 is not a good value spot for TEs or DLs in this draft. The only positions that figure to have prospects worthy of #15 that fit into our need areas are WR (arguably), safety and RB. The best value spot for a TE and DL will be with our two 2nd rounders. Besides, I disagree with the idea that a more dominant running game won't make us better overall. In the second half of the season, both Bell and Anderson wore down. We were pretty good, but not that dominant, and in the playoffs not very good at all.

That's why I'm all for a trade to get Vernon Davis, but I think that Manny Lawson is more than worthy of #15. I think we could move back a few spots and still get him.

I agree that a more dominant running game would make us better overall, but I think we'll improve more as a team by upgrading at TE or DL. Lawson and Davis are the guys we should be after in round 1.