#1 Offseason Need

[elevation INC]

well after the play of Our defensive line, and watching our backers over the last couple weeks, I think our number 1 focus next year is to get a top LB from FA or in the first day of the draft.


while many people think DT is main concern i have been happy the last couple weeks with the play from our D-line. if it keeps up we should focus are best pics towards a playmakin LB who can freakin cover Slot guys and tight ends when needed as well as blow up the line of scrimmage.

so.............

1st pick- LB
2nd pick - DT
3rd pick- S
4th Pick- OL
5th pick-DT
6th pick- O-line
7th pick- WR/returner



also get jordan dizon for special teams because we need all the help we can get


and get the best backer we can in FA

[hardcorebronco]

You would be better off getting a LB in the FA than the draft. It would be harder to find a decent DT in the FA, and there are few top quality guys available in the draft.

This leads me to believe we should address DT with the first round. This is a deeeeep draft at LB. We can get a good Lb in the second round or later and there not be that much of a drop off in talent. You can't say that with DT.

And while the d-line in general is playing well... I still think Bates wants to convert to his two gap scheme. Which means getting a big man to pair with Thomas will be imperative. Adams has shown he is not capable of being an every down DT, but would be a nice addition to the run downs as a fill in. Also, getting a DT will free up our LB's to do what they do best, and not be fighting off blocks from o-linemen.

Getting someone to replace webster is imperative. He is a good special teams guy, and a good back up, but a liability in the pass protection, and only average in run support.

And granted, Gold isn't my favorite Lb, but getting two new LB's to come in and start will not be an easy task. :salute:


In conclusion? DT is a bigger need at the moment than LB is imo. :salute:

[Broncosinindy]

You would be better off getting a LB in the FA than the draft. It would be harder to find a decent DT in the FA, and there are few top quality guys available in the draft.

This leads me to believe we should address DT with the first round. This is a deeeeep draft at LB. We can get a good Lb in the second round or later and there not be that much of a drop off in talent. You can't say that with DT.

And while the d-line in general is playing well... I still think Bates wants to convert to his two gap scheme. Which means getting a big man to pair with Thomas will be imperative. Adams has shown he is not capable of being an every down DT, but would be a nice addition to the run downs as a fill in. Also, getting a DT will free up our LB's to do what they do best, and not be fighting off blocks from o-linemen.

Getting someone to replace webster is imperative. He is a good special teams guy, and a good back up, but a liability in the pass protection, and only average in run support.

And granted, Gold isn't my favorite Lb, but getting two new LB's to come in and start will not be an easy task. :salute:


In conclusion? DT is a bigger need at the moment than LB is imo. :salute:

Some people get it, Some dont. Obviously you do.

We cannot replace gold this year. If we cut him we will lose alot of our FA money it is speculated that we will have around 20 million. and i think golds cap number is around 4.5 million. We have ALOT of FA of our very own that we need to re-sign that could soak up alot of that 20 million. add to that draft picks, that would put us in the position to aquire one or two 2nd tier guys. So if we were to go after a guy like Lance Briggs, who is gonna be around a 40-60 million dollar guy and cutting of Gold is JUST NOT feesable.

We need to stay away from high priced FA's we have the chance to get out of cap hell. here on out if we play our cards well. and Draft well (not so easy)i was hearing that we will have Doom, Marshall, Scheffler come up for FA all in one year. so if we spend all our cap room now it will be next to impossible to re-sign those guys if we keep using FA to get our impact players. We are starting to draft well. Re-sign those guys and bring in Depth in FA at low cost.

I aggree go DT in the first. and one more selection in the later rounds.

I also fully aggree with you that if we cant keep lineman, FB, TE off our linebackers then we are gonna struggle mightily.

Re-sign our OWN FA's Continue to draft well. and stay away from High priced FA's as we know they have cost us mightily in the past. Got marginal at best production. And for years have leached our Cap dollars.

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

The only problem I see with the DT first philosophy, which I agree with, is that this is a one Nose Tackle draft. You have Frank Okam and then...well...nobody. Red Bryant is a distant second, followed by second day picks in BJ Raji, Dre Moore, and Jason Shirley, whom has gone from 2nd round to possibly undrafted due to massive character issues. Junior Pat Sims would likely warrant some attention in the early rounds, but its extremely unlikely he comes out.

The smaller Under Tackles, of which we basically have two competent ones in Marcus Thomas and Alvin McKinley, are about 4 deep (Dorsey, Ellis, Pressley, and Fluellen). We don't use those type of players in our scheme, Pressley being the closest to what we might use. Dorsey and Ellis would likely not be in reach anyway.


And while I absolutely agree that Frank Okam should be our first round pick, this is the type of guy that might pull off a Haloti Ngata skyrocket as the draft approaches and workout numbers come into play, he might not even be obtainable. Then, of course, you have the entire "law school" possibility as well. Does Okam want to play football or does he want to have a legal career?



Now, assuming we pick in the 15-20 range, I don't feel that there is a single OLB worth drafting at that point. There is only one possible elite LB in this draft, and that's a MIKE, and only if Laurenitis comes out. He'd likely be a Top 10 pick regardless. There should be any number of good OLBs available in the mid-2nd round including, but not limited to, Ezra Butler, Ali Highsmith, and Xavier Adibi. I'm not sure any OLB goes in the first round, Keith Rivers and Dan Connor might, but neither are elite players. This is a very solid OLB group with no true superstar.


Where the value fits a need for our team in the 15-20 pick area is at two positions in my opinion. First, Safety, but only in the event one of the two superstar juniors declares, either would be great: Kenny Phillips or Nic Harris. Otherwise, the best value at safety probably occurs in the middle rounds as this is a pretty deep draft of talented players, but again, no true superstar prospect unless the juniors declare.

The other position, and one that I think is interesting is at KR/PR/Slot WR, and of course, that would be DeSean Jackson if he declares. He has Hester-like return ability, which we haven't had in years, and providing we re-sign Stokley, he can develop as a slot WR learning from the best for a year or two.


I think NTx2 is our biggest Short Term Need, followed closely by Free Safety, SAM LB, and KR/PR. Long Term Needs are WILL LB, OT, and Secondary Depth.



Thus, my draft board for the 1st day as of this time looks like this:


1st Round - DT Frank Okam, S Kenny Phillips, KR/PR/WR DeSean Jackson, S Nic Harris.

2nd Round - LB Keith Rivers, LB Dan Connor, LB Ali Highsmith, LB Xavier Adibi, LB Ezra Butler, DT Red Bryant, S Marcus Griffin

[JoRo]

How good do you think those two safeties are MUG and what do you think of our chances if say both declare?


ALSO if you want, I would like some info On Jonathan Stewart. I doubt we take him, I am just curious as he seems intriguing to me.


Thanks for any help if you decide to give it :)

[MindField]

The only problem I see with the DT first philosophy, which I agree with, is that this is a one Nose Tackle draft. You have Frank Okam and then...well...nobody. Red Bryant is a distant second, followed by second day picks in BJ Raji, Dre Moore, and Jason Shirley, whom has gone from 2nd round to possibly undrafted due to massive character issues. Junior Pat Sims would likely warrant some attention in the early rounds, but its extremely unlikely he comes out.

The smaller Under Tackles, of which we basically have two competent ones in Marcus Thomas and Alvin McKinley, are about 4 deep (Dorsey, Ellis, Pressley, and Fluellen). We don't use those type of players in our scheme, Pressley being the closest to what we might use. Dorsey and Ellis would likely not be in reach anyway.


And while I absolutely agree that Frank Okam should be our first round pick, this is the type of guy that might pull off a Haloti Ngata skyrocket as the draft approaches and workout numbers come into play, he might not even be obtainable. Then, of course, you have the entire "law school" possibility as well. Does Okam want to play football or does he want to have a legal career?



Now, assuming we pick in the 15-20 range, I don't feel that there is a single OLB worth drafting at that point. There is only one possible elite LB in this draft, and that's a MIKE, and only if Laurenitis comes out. He'd likely be a Top 10 pick regardless. There should be any number of good OLBs available in the mid-2nd round including, but not limited to, Ezra Butler, Ali Highsmith, and Xavier Adibi. I'm not sure any OLB goes in the first round, Keith Rivers and Dan Connor might, but neither are elite players. This is a very solid OLB group with no true superstar.


Where the value fits a need for our team in the 15-20 pick area is at two positions in my opinion. First, Safety, but only in the event one of the two superstar juniors declares, either would be great: Kenny Phillips or Nic Harris. Otherwise, the best value at safety probably occurs in the middle rounds as this is a pretty deep draft of talented players, but again, no true superstar prospect unless the juniors declare.

The other position, and one that I think is interesting is at KR/PR/Slot WR, and of course, that would be DeSean Jackson if he declares. He has Hester-like return ability, which we haven't had in years, and providing we re-sign Stokley, he can develop as a slot WR learning from the best for a year or two.


I think NTx2 is our biggest Short Term Need, followed closely by Free Safety, SAM LB, and KR/PR. Long Term Needs are WILL LB, OT, and Secondary Depth.



Thus, my draft board for the 1st day as of this time looks like this:


1st Round - DT Frank Okam, S Kenny Phillips, KR/PR/WR DeSean Jackson, S Nic Harris.

2nd Round - LB Keith Rivers, LB Dan Connor, LB Ali Highsmith, LB Xavier Adibi, LB Ezra Butler, DT Red Bryant, S Marcus Griffin

This is true, unless someone comes out of nowhere, or maybe a Jr. jumps in the mix...

That is why I think you have to figure in a LT as well. There are some good ones, and to draft a premier LT is usually golden.

I like Michigan's DE/DT Tim Jamison. He reminds me of New England's Javon Green....just a guy that knows how to make plays and contribute.

Is Jamison second round material?

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

How good do you think those two safeties are MUG and what do you think of our chances if say both declare?


ALSO if you want, I would like some info On Jonathan Stewart. I doubt we take him, I am just curious as he seems intriguing to me.


Thanks for any help if you decide to give it :)


Safeties are probably the easiest position to successfully predict. Those two guys are golden. I actually like Nic Harris better then Phillips due to his uncanny ball skills, massive size, and linebacker mentality. He's going to be a superstar. He's smart as hell too, which is always good. The intriguing thing with Harris that he's going to be in that Thomas Davis S/OLB in-between zone. He could be a star at WILL in the Ian Gold-Coverage first mold just as easily as at either safety position. His 40 time is going to determine where he plays. If he times well, he could be a Top 5 pick. If not, probably in the 15-25 range. And essentially the same is true for Kenny Phillips as well. He brings alot of open field return skills to the table, has better tackling skills then Harris by a small margin, but lesser coverage skills.

Based on their collegiate play, they both are easily Top 10 picks. However, Combine numbers, specifically 40 times, are going to play a big role. If we pick in the Top 15 of the draft and BOTH players come out, I think we have about a 40% shot of getting one of them. So, I don't think we'll be able to get either barring some unforeseen issue or trade up.



Stewart is a great RB prospect. There's not much to say, he's kind of like Steven Jackson part 2. He's a certain 1st rounder, probably 15-25 range. He's the type of back we like, but with Shanahan supporting Henry, and Young and Hall both playing very well in reserve roles, combined with a ton of other team needs, I'm not sure this is the year we finally would draft and pay a 1st round RB. But...if he's the best remaining value.....

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

This is true, unless someone comes out of nowhere, or maybe a Jr. jumps in the mix...

That is why I think you have to figure in a LT as well. There are some good ones, and to draft a premier LT is usually golden.

I like Michigan's DE/DT Tim Jamison. He reminds me of New England's Javon Green....just a guy that knows how to make plays and contribute.

Is Jamison second round material?


Well, Sam Baker is about the only LT in the first round that fits our system of smaller, agile guys. And he'll likely be available in that 15-25 range. I think other teams might shy away due to his size. The problem here is that I'm a huge believer in Ryan Harris, whom fits our system at LT to the Tee. He was injured for the first half of this year, but we have a pretty good investment in him as an early 3rd round pick and future LT. He does not match up well as anything but a fill-in at RT as he's not very strong and relies more on agility and finesse. Drafting a LT in the 1st round would essentially bury Harris and that would be another wasted pick.

Lepsis probably only has a few years left, but Pears looks pretty good at RT, and I think Harris will be a solid answer at LT. Then you have Kuper whom Shanahan doesn't mind inserting at RT if Pears needs to switch to LT. I'm not sure OT is much of a need due to the flexibility of Kuper. However, if Hamilton or Nalen are down for the count, I could definitely see us investing in a swingman type OT, able to play both sides. I don't believe we'd take such a player in the 1st round though, probably moreso in Free Agency.

I'd actually have to believe we'd draft Stewart before we'd draft Baker. But I still think the four guys on our priority list need to be Frank Okam, Nic Harris, Kenny Phillips, and DeSean Jackson. Of course, all 4 could be gone when we pick, though I doubt many other teams are going to put the premium on a pure Nose Tackle that we will this draft. I still think we get Okam.

[Zealander]

I would like to see a first round DT. Finish up our future build for the Dline with a guy we can pair with Thomas to really cause havoc in the middle. If we don't go Dline first, I'd have to go Oline (or 2nd). For the long success of this team, it is absolutely imperative that we build a strong line to give cutler time, and keep him away from the injures. Look at the two top QB's in the league, and then look at their offense lines. There is a connection folks, (incase you live in a cave I am referring to peyton and brady). We also need to address the LB position, safety and a some special teams players.

This may be a difficult draft, but I'm very excited about the extra experience our young team will have next year.

[elevation INC]

i agree with mug as well, however i think okam is gone before we get him and that doesnt leave to many others around. so perhaps Kenny phillips is a choice first since backer is so deep we can score a DT in the later rds with a backer while shoring up our safety spot.



Also i never said anything about gold, I am a gold supporter and i know he will be here next year. I was actually refering to webster, he is great for depth and special teams but thats about it, i wish we would have had a chance to see holdman this year!

Also do u guys like briggs as an option in FA?


Mug who would probally be our biggest compeition for okam

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

i agree with mug as well, however i think okam is gone before we get him and that doesnt leave to many others around. so perhaps Kenny phillips is a choice first since backer is so deep we can score a DT in the later rds with a backer while shoring up our safety spot.



Also i never said anything about gold, I am a gold supporter and i know he will be here next year. I was actually refering to webster, he is great for depth and special teams but thats about it, i wish we would have had a chance to see holdman this year!

Also do u guys like briggs as an option in FA?


Mug who would probally be our biggest compeition for okam


Don't like Briggs, too expensive. I don't think he's twice as good as Ian Gold.



As for NT in the draft, we'll have alot of competition. But as of right now,

The teams that really need a NT type are picking too early for Okam, I don't think he's a top 10 pick. Those teams are the Dolphins, Rams, Raiders, Jets, Falcons.

A few teams could use a NT type, but have other issues, those teams are the Chiefs, Panthers, Titans, and Bills.

The teams I think we really might have to worry about are the Bengals, Saints, Redskins, and Bears.


Obviously, there's a massive need for Nose Tackles in the NFL. Therefore, without a doubt, Okam will be "reached" for by someone. I think we need to be picking in the 15-20 slot to have a chance.

[elevation INC]

Some people get it, Some dont. Obviously you do.

We cannot replace gold this year. If we cut him we will lose alot of our FA money it is speculated that we will have around 20 million. and i think golds cap number is around 4.5 million. We have ALOT of FA of our very own that we need to re-sign that could soak up alot of that 20 million. add to that draft picks, that would put us in the position to aquire one or two 2nd tier guys. So if we were to go after a guy like Lance Briggs, who is gonna be around a 40-60 million dollar guy and cutting of Gold is JUST NOT feesable.

We need to stay away from high priced FA's we have the chance to get out of cap hell. here on out if we play our cards well. and Draft well (not so easy)i was hearing that we will have Doom, Marshall, Scheffler come up for FA all in one year. so if we spend all our cap room now it will be next to impossible to re-sign those guys if we keep using FA to get our impact players. We are starting to draft well. Re-sign those guys and bring in Depth in FA at low cost.

I aggree go DT in the first. and one more selection in the later rounds.

I also fully aggree with you that if we cant keep lineman, FB, TE off our linebackers then we are gonna struggle mightily.

Re-sign our OWN FA's Continue to draft well. and stay away from High priced FA's as we know they have cost us mightily in the past. Got marginal at best production. And for years have leached our Cap dollars.





i know u like okam but like mug said we might have some competition especially the bengals! if we cant get okam, there isnt another dt in the 1st we should pursue which is why i brought up the lb or safety in the 1st, it is realistically possible for us to miss out on him so if we do, whats your next move?

[elevation INC]

So we all agree webster is the backer that needs to be replaced next year?

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

So we all agree webster is the backer that needs to be replaced next year?


Yeah. He's a solid MIKE, and a very good backup MIKE, but he's marginal at SAM. Realistically, we'll draft a rookie OLB, and he'll learn behind Webster for most of the year before taking over. I'm not sure any rookie is going to come in a replace any of our starters immediately.

[Broncosinindy]

i know u like okam but like mug said we might have some competition especially the bengals! if we cant get okam, there isnt another dt in the 1st we should pursue which is why i brought up the lb or safety in the 1st, it is realistically possible for us to miss out on him so if we do, whats your next move?

If we miss out on Okam. I'd definetly consider trading down. With a trade down it could possibly earn us another special teams player. or that third round pick we are missing.

With a trade down i would have to revaluate our pick. ill get back on it.

[Bronco_Armada]

For DTs I like that guy from LSU... Nope can't remember his name. Draft anyone from SU he will be a lemon. :smug:

[JoRo]

I don't like us drafting an LB first round, especially if we are simply going for a SAM I'd hope we get a solid player later in the draft. Especially considering the looks of things the OLB's all seem pretty close near the top I would think we'd have some solid 2nd round prospects... I like Connor but I don't think we take him

I also don't know waht to think about Jackson, sure he brings some return ability and I would love to have a feared returner finally, but he is supposedly only 170lbs... and that is a SMALL wideout....for me it kind of all depends what we want him to become.. because he only has 600 or so yards this year too... I will be looking into him more.

For me the four guys I am really hoping for as of RIGHT now are Okam, Phillips, Harris, or Stewart. I know the only way we get stewart is if Henry is suspended... but really I never did like us getting a 28 year old back who has made it through a full season maybe once or twice? Seemed like a waste then... and still does.

Just my two cents for right now.

[hardcorebronco]

For DTs I like that guy from LSU... Nope can't remember his name. Draft anyone from SU he will be a lemon. :smug:

Glen Dorsey

He is a beast of a DT and is the best DT in the draft no question, he is also a top 5 pick, so i don't think we have a shot at him. He has been playing injured for most of the season (Hasn't hurt his stats though!!!) but i don't think his stock will drop.

I would take him in a new york minute if he was on the clock at our pick. :D:salute:

[Broncosinindy]

I don't like us drafting an LB first round, especially if we are simply going for a SAM I'd hope we get a solid player later in the draft. Especially considering the looks of things the OLB's all seem pretty close near the top I would think we'd have some solid 2nd round prospects... I like Connor but I don't think we take him

I also don't know waht to think about Jackson, sure he brings some return ability and I would love to have a feared returner finally, but he is supposedly only 170lbs... and that is a SMALL wideout....for me it kind of all depends what we want him to become.. because he only has 600 or so yards this year too... I will be looking into him more.

For me the four guys I am really hoping for as of RIGHT now are Okam, Phillips, Harris, or Stewart. I know the only way we get stewart is if Henry is suspended... but really I never did like us getting a 28 year old back who has made it through a full season maybe once or twice? Seemed like a waste then... and still does.

Just my two cents for right now.

170 LBS. is small but if he has MEGA talent he can suceed in the NFL. I dont like spending a first on a guy that only brings return ability. i watched him and was not impressed with his ability to play on offense agasint college competition. i dont even think he was the best wide out on his team.

[JoRo]

170 LBS. is small but if he has MEGA talent he can suceed in the NFL. I dont like spending a first on a guy that only brings return ability. i watched him and was not impressed with his ability to play on offense agasint college competition. i dont even think he was the best wide out on his team.

Thats exactly why I don't think I would want us spending our first rounder on him... at 170 lbs how much can he contribute from the slot? I doubt he'd be much help over the middle.... and I really don't like the idea of spending a mid teen pick on mainly a returner... late first or early second would be worth it IF he turned out to be someone close to Hester.. but otherwise I would rather look elsewhere with our 1st rounder