Req's Day One Discourse.

[Requiem]

The Broncos started the day with the #12, #18 and #48 picks on Day One -- but ended up picking five players in hopes to bolster their offense, defense and special teams in 2009. I know there is a lot of controversy regarding some of the selections, so I have decided to go ahead and give my thoughts on the matter.

Knowshon Moreno, #12 - Absolutely fantastic pick. I didn't want Orakpo. I also didn't want to see the Broncos panic and reach for another player. I know a lot of people think that this is a wasted pick or a luxury pick, but I agree with McDaniels' statement that "When a back like him is available, you take him." Moreno is a superb runner and can catch the ball well. He should be a front contender for OROY honors. I think it is a great selection value wise and I do believe it fit a need. Moreno isn't a rental or a scrub. He is a long-term option for this team and can be a face to our offensive franchise.

Robert Ayers, #18 - Ayers is an extremely interesting prospect, but a quality one. He's a versatile player who will be able to play with his hand up or down. He has drawn some minor comparisons to Adalius Thomas and ultimately I think that is how he will be used. I certainly hope he isn't a one year wonder and do honestly believe his best football is in front of him. I feel much more comfortable with him at #18 than I would have at #12 or someone like Orakpo at #12.

Alphonso Smith, #37 - I absolutely love this pick. I do not mind giving up a future first-rounder because you just "never know" with the value and it is going to save us money in the long-term. He is an absolute ball-hawk and is solid in run support. He's smart and a team leader as well. For 5'9 -- he is extremely stout; had he been 5'11 or 6'0 -- he is easily a first-rounder. It sounds like McDaniels and the Broncos had an extremely high grade on him, first-round value. He can play special teams too as a gunner or returner. That's value. He can also start, but will more than likely be a nickel corner to begin with. Considering Goodman and Bailey's age, along with the lack of depth behind them (Paymah left, Williams still young and unproven) -- it's understandable that the Broncos went in a direction that can pay off immediately and long term.

Darcel McBath, #48 - This is another selection I'm excited about. He profiles as a free safety in the NFL. He has superior ball skills and plays with good instincts. He is also athletic. Yes, people can grade this pick down because of William Moore and others being available -- but does it not fill a need? How much can we expect out of Dawkins and the others in the long-term? McBath also plays special teams. He has the opportunity to learn from one of the best safeties that ever played and can get tips from defensive backs like Champ Bailey as well. I do not fault the Broncos for getting such a player.

Richard Quinn, #64 - At first this pick was not something that settled well with me given the other players on board, especially tight end -- but it does make sense. The tight ends in McDaniels' system primarily serve in a blocking role. Yes we have Graham, but we know that isn't Scheffler's forte. Who is to say Scheffler isn't going to be moved still? Would he even re-sign here in Denver after next season anyways? We didn't have a third tight end on the roster either. Yes, I would have prefered someone else, but Quinn is a great blocking tight end and has decent hands. According to McDaniels, he was excellent in the personal workout and can catch the ball well; but North Carolina didn't utilize him in that fashion.

Overall, I'd give the Broncos a solid B for Day One; with the only issue being the value given up -- and the Quinn selection having some ambiguity. All and all, I believe it was a solid first day. I know we all have our favorite prospects and stuff like that, but honestly -- how can you guys be that disappointed? Long-term RB we've been looking for. A solid option at OLB/DE (Joker) in our defense, along with two defensive backs who will make our secondary younger and a tight end who has the potential to replace Scheffler when he leaves. (He will.)

Not bad at all.

[barryr]

I agree. I had some other guys I wanted instead, but the picks make sense to me. Time will tell how good these picks were, but I like how "toughness" seems to be a common description of these guys. It's been awhile since this team has been known as tough.

[BroncoBuff]

You "love" all the picks ... and Quinn "makes sense."

Really?

[rovolution]

My problem is that we still have no legit NT on this football team.

When Belicheat swooped in and took Brace, i was like oh s***.

I just dont see how you can run a 3-4 without a NT. we currently have none. dont tell me Ronald Fields is a nose tackle. if so, were gonna get gashed up the gut. I dont see any good NT prospects tomorrow. Hopefully next years draft will have more NT options that will be available to us.

[Harvitz81]

I just hope we move Scheffler for a third tomorrow and get something for him now. There are still a lot of good prospects left like Gilbert, Lee Hill, etc..

[Malcontent]

Nice to hear a positive review Req..But I still think we reached wayyyy too much on thes 2nd rd guys, and gave up way too much for them. But, if they pan out and are "Eddie Royal" good, we will all love this draft.

[scttgrd]

They crapped thier pants and all you can say is "great day". You need to take your meds.

[bpc]

ha ha.

I like Moreno's attitude. I don't like his style of play lasting a long time in the NFL. His frame will not sustain IMO.

Ayers is overrated. Everybody hypes this guy but he had 3.5 sacks his senior year. He was a slippery player at the senior bowl but there wasn't one thing I thought that he did great. 9 career sacks. Not really the guy I want to hang our teams hat on to generate pass rush.

I liked Smith, not for our 1st round pick next year though. He's a nickel corner right now with elite playmaking skills in the pass game. STILL, WE HAVE NO PASS RUSH. Muted. That pick could have been Taylor Mays who just walked right out the door. Chicago's 1st round pick? Fine. Our's? STUPID.

McBath is blah. I liked Moore better.

The cherry on top is the BACKUP TE for 2 3rd round picks. Laughable.

[Broncoman13]

Nice write up Req, I agree with the first three picks. Not nearly as high on McBath as you are and I lived in the Panhandle for several years so know Tech football quite well and have paid attention to them the past few years as well. McBath is ordinary. I do think it's funny that many people (scouts) refer to him as a ballhawk and then say he's not a playmaker. WTF is that

Quinn... meh! Here is a guy that is a terrific blocker at TE.

Travis McCall
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 260 | 40-Time: 4.75

Official Bio

Strengths:
Very good bulk...Great strength...Is tough and physical...Excellent blocker...May offer some versatility...Can also contribute on special teams...Durable...Has lots of experience...Hard worker...Team player.

Weaknesses:
Does not have the height that you'd prefer...Lacks great timed speed and quickness...Wasn't utilized much as a pass catcher...May be a bit of a 'tweener...Was not overly productive...Upside is probably limited.

Notes:
Was a three-year starter in the SEC...Could also project to fullback at the next level...Ranks second on the Crimson Tide's all-time games played list...Received an invitation to the Senior Bowl...Has more potential as a receiver than he showed at Alabama...Was a blocking specialist in college and that will be his ticket to making an NFL roster.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Career Statistics
Year GP Rec Yds YPC TD
2005 12 3 22 7.3 0
2006 13 8 105 13.1 1
2007 13 6 45 7.5 0
2008 13 7 52 7.4 0
Totals 51 24 224 9.3 1

[bpc]

ha ha.

I like Moreno's attitude. I don't like his style of play lasting a long time in the NFL. His frame will not sustain IMO.

Ayers is overrated. Everybody hypes this guy but he had 3.5 sacks his senior year. He was a slippery player at the senior bowl but there wasn't one thing I thought that he did great. 9 career sacks. Not really the guy I want to hang our teams hat on to generate pass rush.

I liked Smith, not for our 1st round pick next year though. He's a nickel corner right now with elite playmaking skills in the pass game. STILL, WE HAVE NO PASS RUSH. Muted. That pick could have been Taylor Mays who just walked right out the door. Chicago's 1st round pick? Fine. Our's? STUPID.

McBath is blah. I liked Moore better.

The cherry on top is the BACKUP TE for 2 3rd round picks. Laughable.

[GoBroncos84]

I don't have an issue with any of the players. I think we reached on McBath and Quinn, but I don't mind that we took them. I like Smith a lot, understand the reasoning for drafting him. I just hate that we used a first next year instead of using picks this year to do it. I'm stoked about Knowshon and excited to see what we have with Ayers and Smith. McBath has the skill set to be very good down the line learning from Dawkins and Champ. Quinn fits the system. I just question the value, because McBath and Quinn could have been had later IMO and we paid a big price for Smith. I hope I am wrong, but I think our pick next year will be higher than Chicago, so it would have been better to send that pick. And I think we should have gotten more, like a pick this year or one next year to help compensate for losing a 1st.

No issue with the players selected, big issue with the value and what we gave up. Not having any thirds its going to be hard to get quality d-lineman on day 2

[skpac1001]

I can see an argument against picking him in the second, but Quinn is the best blocking TE in the draft and looks to have pretty good hands also. When you face as many 3-4 teams as we will and your offensive problems are mostly in the red zone, having two TE set with good blockers on both sides is a good thing.

[NFLBRONCO]

What is it with Denver WE ALWAYS are afraid to draft front 7 no matter who is in charge. We give up picks like Washington.

[Broncoman13]

Somebody want to explain to me how we're going to move Tony Scheffler when there are still 5 or 6 TE's that are of the same mold? We won't get a 3rd for him this year and we may not be able to get a 3rd for him next year.

The one thing that is still really bothering me is the pass rush and NT. I think Thomas, Powell, and Peterson can hold down the ends when we show the 3-4 front. But, if the plan is to eventually go to that front on a consistent basis... we need the players now! The 3rd round could have been ideal for some help along the DLine. Maybe a guy will slide in the 4th and 5th rounds... but I doubt we'd even look that way anyhow!

[ludo21]

we got a TE who most likely will be available in the 5th.. not wise imo..

[Jekyll15Hyde]

I like Ayers just because of the fact we actually drafted at a position that we needed. I can live with Moreno although I am not in love with the pick at this point.

From there, we traded into day 1 to take players at positions that are not huge needs? Quinn WTF. A blocking TE in an offense that will usually put the TE in the slot? I like improving the secondary but that was largely shored up with FA. We need help at basically every front 7 position (less ILB for DJ).

Does McPh|_|ckStick think that he has what needs at DL? If there was not the player that they wanted at a position, I would have rather seen them trade down.

It is clear he is trying to win now and it doesnt look promising to me

[barryr]

Originally Posted by OSKIE!!!

Somebody want to explain to me how we're going to move Tony Scheffler when there are still 5 or 6 TE's that are of the same mold? We won't get a 3rd for him this year and we may not be able to get a 3rd for him next year.

The one thing that is still really bothering me is the pass rush and NT. I think Thomas, Powell, and Peterson can hold down the ends when we show the 3-4 front. But, if the plan is to eventually go to that front on a consistent basis... we need the players now! The 3rd round could have been ideal for some help along the DLine. Maybe a guy will slide in the 4th and 5th rounds... but I doubt we'd even look that way anyhow!

Like for the 100th time, the pass rush in a 3-4 generally comes from your OLB's, not DL. The Steelers have a great pass rusher on their DL? No. The Broncos with Shanahan took for need when it came for defense and passed up on talent and we saw where that got them. Moss and Crowder couldn't even get on the field on a crappy defense no less.

[Elway777]

Terrible draft and when Orakpo becomes the next Ware then I will be crying. The Broncos are switching to a 3-4 and only use one draft pick on defensive front 7. Trading away next years first also hurts are rebuilding that would of came from the Cutler trade. The Broncos could of traded our 48 pick plus a 3 rounder to move up for Smith if they wanted him that much. I cann't beleive I wanted McIdiot to be Head Coach.

[Broncoman13]

Thanks for pointing that out... wasn't aware of that. I guess I was thinking for some reason that those guys along the DL had to actually open up the LBs to make plays. I guess we should expect all pressure to come from the back 8 as well.

[lostknight]

I like Moreno for value. I love Ayers. But the Richard Quinn pick is just as a disaster from tom to bottom.

[lostknight]

Honestly, unless Ron Fields can handle the NT duties, I think we spend a lot more time in 4-3 then 3-4.

[Orange_Beard]

You are wearing your Orange Colored glasses tonight.

[bpc]

Originally Posted by ludo21

we got a TE who most likely will be available in the 5th.. not wise imo..

have you seen him run? I've seen cement move faster.

Hell, Ayers almost has more career sacks than this guy has receptions... and that isn't saying very much.

BJ.

Unfortunately die-hard Denver fans deserve much better than what they've got over the past four months and will undoubtably be receiving in the future.

I don't think this team is much better from this draft. Still a 4-12 team IMO. Only now, we won't get a top notch player in what looks to be a pretty strong draft class.

Shame on Pat Bowlen. He sold the fans of the Broncos on what he needed to be competitive in the NFL, hence a new stadium, and then let the fans of Denver and Colorado foot the bill for it. Now we're hearing all these leaks about being in bad financial shape...

SELL BOWLEN. SELL NOW. You aren't making good decisions, future decisions are being made by your cash shortfall and who is going to be suffering? The fans of the Broncos.

We're entering the dark times.

[Rohirrim]

The first thing this team needed to do (and desperately at that) was stop the run. Not one of these picks helps to do that. So, fail. Moreno is my favorite RB in this draft. Won't do us much good. For every run he can put up, the opposing O will match it. I like Ayers. I don't see where he will bring a whole lot that Dumervil doesn't already bring so, it's a wash. Smith? Secondary was the least weakest unit on defense. We traded a first from next year, which will be a much stronger draft, to get somebody to help our least weakest point on D. Fail. McBath might actually help in the run D, but he won't be stepping up much for a season or two with Hawkins here so, wash. Trading both thirds for a borderline TE/Guard (who would have still been on the board with one of those thirds) when we already have Graham and Sheffler? Uber fail.

The Broncos had the 29th rated defense last season and a horrible collapse the last three games. They flat could not stop the run. None of these picks change that scenario. Unless the Broncos can find some kind of magic in the fourth through seventh rounds tomorrow, they enter the season with basically the same D they left last season with, except possibly reconfigured into a different form. Maybe.

I call the outlook: Grim.

[Jekyll15Hyde]

The thing that might end up hurting the most is giving up our top 10 pick next year. Just maybe I would have bought into it a little if we had used it on the front 7.