Broncos Offseason (My Thoughts) **UPDATE**

[BroncosTX77]

Broncos Offseason (My Thoughts) **December 31, 2007 UPDATE**

The Denver Broncos season is over and there is one certainty about Denver that everyone can agree on.......Inconsistency reigns, and OL/DL and Special Teams killed them. This here is my thoughts on what Denver will do in the offseason and a Full Denver Mock as well as a Full 1st Round Mock.

As for the Broncos, there really are many priorities in the Offseason.


DT
OT
S
LB
KR/PR


I am not a believer in Okam. I also am a believer that Shanahan will do his darnedest to fix NT through FA. As for OLine now is the time to get a cream of the crop OT to assure Jay Cutler does not equal David Carr. Jamie Winborn seems to fit in nicely at WLB and DJ is destined for MLB. That leaves SLB and Mr Celebrate after every tackle Nate Webster. He will be let go or relegated to back up imo. Finally aside from Elam, special teams was awful! Something needs to be done about it.

As for RB Travis Henry was not suspended so kiss RB goodbye in this draft (unless Kevin Smith changes his mind <prays>). Selvin Young and Andre Hall will make decent change of pace backs as long as TH stays out of his garden and gets healthy!

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After research on next year's draft and Denver's picks, these are the results:
* Minnesota has a 3rd from Denver (2007 draft trade/ DT Marcus Thomas)

* St. Louis has a 6th from Denver (DT Jimmy Kennedy)

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* Denver has a 4th from Washington (WR Ashley Lelie as part of deal with Atlanta)

* Denver has a conditional 5th from Oakland (DT Gerald Warren)

* Denver has a conditional pick from Tampa Bay (QB Jake Plummer) - not sure about this one though. giving it a 7th round tender for now.


Finally, Denver finished 7-9 and as of now has the 11th pick (Kudos Nick).

I am assuming Mike Shanahan stays the Head Coach.

Offseason Moves (Non-Broncos signings)

FA

DT Isaac Sopoaga
WR Bernard Berrian (Only if J.Walker is let go)
OG Ryan Lilja
OLB Karlos Dansby (If not Tagged by AZ)


Denver Broncos Trade 11th pick (1250) and CB/S Dominique Foxworth to Dallas Cowboys for
Pick 22 (780) and Pick 29 (640).

Dallas picks equal to 1420 which then gives Dominique Foxworth a value of Mid 3rd Rounder or 170pts.

Without further adieu here is my Updated 2008 Denver Broncos Mock Draft.

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(Previous) 1st Round - Dan Connor ILB Penn State~
(Previous) 1st Round – Kenny Phillips S Miami~
(Updated) 1st Round - Michael Oher OT Ole Miss~

Oher is a special talent not because of his proto type size, or even his mean streak, it’s his technique that has all the NFL Scouts giddy. He plays with excellent knee bend, uses proper leverage and slides his feet very well. He plays with excellent balance and is solid muscle.

(Updated) 1st Round - Nic Harris FS Oklahoma~

Harris is a big-time safety who has the skills to play in coverage or in the box and defend the run. He has great awareness and positions himself well to make plays. He has great ball skills and rolls over to coverage well. He possesses a great burst of speed, moves well laterally, and can lay sideline-to-sideline. He's a disciplined defender who rarely gets caught out of position. Harris is a special player. He has the ability to change a game from the safety position.

(Previous) 2nd Round - Kevin Smith RB Central Florida~
(Previous) 2nd Round – Ezra Butler LB Nevada~
(Updated) 2nd Round - Kentwan Balmer DT/DE North Carolina~

Balmer is a gifted interior lineman who has a great burst off the line and is excellent against the run. He moves well laterally and uses his hands effectively against a bigger opponent. He has the ability to get penetration up the middle, squeeze through a seam, locate the ball, and close in on the opposition for a loss. At 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, Balmer has room to add size. But that may hurt his quickness inside. He could be a player who plays all across the DL for Denver.

(Previous) 4th Round - Quintin Demps FS/KR UTEP~
(Previous) 4th Round – Craig Steltz SS LSU~
(Updated) 4th Round - Bruce Davis OLB UCLA~

Davis has a lightening quick first step, coming off the edge, rushing the passer he is almost impossible to block. Davis will need to get into the weight room and get a little stronger, and dropping back into coverage is also something he will have to work on at the next level. Bruce Davis is the mouthpiece of the entire team, and he usually backs up his brash talk with big play. Davis is pure speed coming off the edge, making 9.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. He sometimes will flirt with late-hit penalties on the quarterback, but usually knows where to draw the line. He has attitude and can be future "Leader" of defense.

(Previous) 4th Round - Craig Steltz SS LSU~
(Previous) 4th Round – Nick Hayden DT Wisconsin
(Updated) 4th Round - Marcus Smith WR/KR New Mexico~

Converted running back. KR/PR specialist has 4.45 speed. Absolute speed burner in open field. Also very strong, has good downfield blocking abilities. Would be the Special Teams threat Denver lacks and slot man in waiting behind Brandon Stokley.

(Previous) 5th Round – Frank Morton DT Tulane~
(Previous) 5th Round - Marcus Smith WR/KR New Mexico~
(Updated) 5th Round - Craig Steltz SS LSU~

Safety will be the position Shanny stocks up on this draft. Craig Steltz's nose for the ball makes him a constant threat for a turnover. Steltz is a big hitter but can also cover. 73.5 tackles 6 INT 3 FF and 7 PD and 6 tackles for loss. A big hitter in the Atwater/Kennedy/Lynch Mold. Again depth for safety and young talent to replace older vets. Harris and Steltz would give the Broncos an insane Secondary that would be feared for years to come.

(Previous)(Updated)(Updated)5th Round - Jacob Hester FB LSU~

Reminds me of Mike Alstott. He can play FB and block or catch passes out of the backfield. He is fast enough and powerful enough to play RB and pound the ball. He would be a great addition as a FB and that red zone threat Denver needs so bad.

(Previous)(Updated)7th Round - Kerry Brown OL Appalachian State~

Brown has very good size, flashes a nasty streak to finish his blocks and can move well downfield. He is versatile and can play Guard or Tackle.

(Previous)(Updated)7th Round - Alexis Serna K Oregon State~

It is inevitable. Elam is not getting any younger. He has been hampered by injuries most of the season. Alexis Serna has been winning awards for Best Place kicker in college since 2005. Has big leg makes 50+ yd fg consistelntly throughout career. Very accurate and a pressure kicker.




Full 1st Round Mock

1. Miami Dolphins (1-15) – Chris Long DE Virginia
2. St. Louis Rams (3-13) - Jake Long OT Michigan
3. Atlanta Falcons (4-12) – Matt Ryan QB Boston College
4. Kansas City (4-12) – Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
5. Oakland (4-12) – Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
6. New York Jets (4-12) – Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State
7. New England (from San Francisco) (5-11) - James Laurinaitis MLB Ohio St.
8. Baltimore (5-11) – Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State
9. Cincinnati (7-9) – Sedrick Ellis DT USC
10. New Orleans (7-9) – Kenny Phillips SS Miami
11. Dallas (via Denver 22nd and 29th and D.F.(7-9)) – DeSean Jackson WR/KR California
12. Arizona( via Buffalo (7-9)) – Ryan Clady OT Boise State
13. Carolina (7-9) – Calais Campbell DE Miami
14. Chicago (7-9) – Brian Brohm QB Louisville
15. Detroit (7-9) – Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
16. Buffalo (via Arizona 1st and 3rd ) (8-8) Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
17. Minnesota (8-8) Derrick Harvey DE Florida
18. Houston (8-8) Sam Baker OT USC
19. Philadelphia (8-8) James Hardy WR Indiana
20. Tampa Bay (9-7) Andre Woodson QB Kentucky
21. Washington (9-7) Keith Rivers OLB USC
22. Denver (via Dallas (from Cleveland) (10-6)) Michael Oher OT Ole Miss
23. Seattle (10-6) - Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
24. Pittsburgh (10-6) - Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh
25. Tennessee (10-6)- Limas Sweed WR Texas
26. New York Giants (10-6) - OLB Dan Connor Penn St.
27. San Diego (11-5) –Frank Okam DT Texas
28. Jacksonville (11-5) – Antoine Cason DB Arizona
29. Denver (via Dallas (13-3)) Nic Harris FS Oklahoma
30. (New England-Forfeit)
31. Green Bay (13-3) Aqib Talib CB Kansas
32. San Francisco (from Indianapolis) (13-3) Lawrence Jackson DE UCLA

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

That's a very nice effort, and I agree with alot of your thoughts. Well Done!


But... (and you knew there would be a but :D)

I'm adament on Okam in the 1st round. I don't think there will be another DT available in the draft or FA, with his potential and ability. And I cant stress his extreme intelligence hard enough. He is smart enough and physically talented enough to come into the league and start immediately at Nose Tackle.

That being said, Nic Harris or Kenny Phillips (in that order) would be my second choice (about on par with KR/PR DeSean Jackson) behind Okam, so I would not be disappointed with that pick unless Okam was bypassed, but even then I could understand the logic. I just have no idea who will be playing DT for us.


Ezra Butler in the 2nd round would be my selection depending on which higher rated guys slipped. But for mock purposes, that's my 2nd round selection as well. I would give serious consideration to DT Red Bryant in the 2nd round though, whether we pick Okam or not.


I have no problem with Steltz in the 4th, though I know little about him, but I do agree that two safeties in this draft is possible and makes sense considering Ferguson and Lynch's age.


I'm not a big fan of Hayden, but my knowledge of him is very limited right now as well. He seems too tall and skinny, so would need an awful lot of weight room work and thats even if his body can get to the 6'5, 330lb range.


Instead of Marcus Smith, check into Kevin Robinson of Utah State. He's a major sleeper with ridiculous return stats. Good WR too.


Don't like Jacob Hester. He's too small. He's basically another Kyle Johnson or Cecil Sapp. I think we get one of the big 2 (in the 4th round) or we stick with what we got. The big 2 being Schimidt and Hillis.


Can't argue with any 7th round pick.







Great job though. I like that you are giving so much effort, I'll have to do one of these so someone can crap on mine too :D

[The|Snake#16]

What round do you think Xavier Adibi will go MUG? I have been thinking 1st, but with quite a few talented LBs in this year's draft he could easily slip to the 2nd. Thoughts?

[Broncosinindy]

I am VERY concerned with hayden as a prospect. he is not great size like we need and is considered not very coachable. i think hell be one of the guys that was good to pretty good in college but tottally bomb. I'd rather you kept the prospect from Tulane.

I think kenny phillips is so overated its not even funny. He may be average. but nothing i have seen or heard about me makes me wanna drop my jaw.

I think Steltz in the fourth is cool... but we have a guy that is playing SS pretty well for us right now in Abdullah...to me it really comes down to is can abdullah play FS? although it would be great to see a guy that can play special teams.

All in all good stuff

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

What round do you think Xavier Adibi will go MUG? I have been thinking 1st, but with quite a few talented LBs in this year's draft he could easily slip to the 2nd. Thoughts?


I think he's a mid 2nd rounder at this point. There's a large cluster of OLBs that warrant 2nd round grades, until the Pro Days and Combine separate them, it's a crapshoot.

The cluster I am referring to includes Adibi, Butler, Highsmith, Rivers, Crable, and possibly Wheeler. I'm assuming Connor goes in the 1st round.

I'd rank the OLBs as:

1. Connor
2. Rivers
3. Butler
4. Adibi
5. Highsmith
6. Crable

I think Wheeler is a MIKE, or ILB in the 3-4.


I think Highsmith's size will drop him a bit. I think Crable is the sleeper, just like David Harris last draft.

[Nick]

That's a very nice effort, and I agree with alot of your thoughts. Well Done!


But... (and you knew there would be a but :D)

I'm adament on Okam in the 1st round. I don't think there will be another DT available in the draft or FA, with his potential and ability. And I cant stress his extreme intelligence hard enough. He is smart enough and physically talented enough to come into the league and start immediately at Nose Tackle.

That being said, Nic Harris or Kenny Phillips (in that order) would be my second choice (about on par with KR/PR DeSean Jackson) behind Okam, so I would not be disappointed with that pick unless Okam was bypassed, but even then I could understand the logic. I just have no idea who will be playing DT for us.



If Phillips comes out (almost for sure he will because of the weak saftey draft class) That is waaaay to hard to pass up at number 16. I think he will go early and Okam will go any where from 17-23 as of right now. Jackson is a big threat but because of size he will be a 2nd round pick... mainly because he is not even the #1 WR on CAL. I think the Broncos sitting put at #16 should get the BPA. We have a few holes. I think DT would be nice but we need to get Cutler a little more talent on the offensive side of the ball early also, if that has to do with Free Agency or draft.

I look at our team as over achieving right now... but we really really need some veteran "leadership" on the deffensive line. We are very very young and that is not a good thing. You can have the most talent in a area but if they are not on the same page etc., it could look like the worse one play and the best another /// worse against one team and best against another.

If we get Okam... I bet he wont be starting and will play less the Marcus Thomas has this year.

I think with the talent in the 1st round. We have to get BPA... If that is Okam which I would rank around 25-28th BPA... So be it.

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

I dont know about the Marcus Thomas v. Okam playtime thing...

Okam is literally about 3 times smarter than Thomas, which means he'll pick up the playbook faster. He's also bigger, stronger, is not coming off a missed season due to suspension, and was arguably more productive at his top program than Thomas was at his.

I think its safe to say, barring injury, he'd play alot, and more likely than not, start. The guy is the entire package. If Okam tests well physically at the Combine, we won't even have a shot at him picking 15th overall.


I like Kenny Phillips as well, but he's not even as good as Nic Harris, and safety is really deep this year, albeit with almost zero star power unless the juniors come out.


That's the thing which makes me lean more towards Okam. There won't be any other NTs available to get barring an unforeseen cut...and no team cuts a good NT. There will be plenty of LBs, Safetys, and offensive weapons available in both FA and the draft. The NT cupboard is very bare, barring Okam and possibly Red Bryant.

[amirebram]

I am happy you don't want Briggs anymore. LB are no good after 7 or 8 years--not for a long term deal anyways.

As for Haynesworth: the guy has too many character issues. And he is just playing this year because it is a contract year. I Am willing to bet that he would take our money and stop playing hard. Not to mention that the Titans will more than likely give him the Franshise tag to see if he can actually keep up his performance.

Moving on. Take a look at Williams (#99) with Packers. 27 years old, 6-4 315Ilbs. Nice fit, and he is a free agent. Packers have too much depth and wont try to resign him. Much better guy, and more consistant.

I like you draft idea's too.

[Nick]

I dont know about the Marcus Thomas v. Okam playtime thing...

Okam is literally about 3 times smarter than Thomas, which means he'll pick up the playbook faster. He's also bigger, stronger, is not coming off a missed season due to suspension, and was arguably more productive at his top program than Thomas was at his.

I think its safe to say, barring injury, he'd play alot, and more likely than not, start. The guy is the entire package. If Okam tests well physically at the Combine, we won't even have a shot at him picking 15th overall.


I like Kenny Phillips as well, but he's not even as good as Nic Harris, and safety is really deep this year, albeit with almost zero star power unless the juniors come out.


That's the thing which makes me lean more towards Okam. There won't be any other NTs available to get barring an unforeseen cut...and no team cuts a good NT. There will be plenty of LBs, Safetys, and offensive weapons available in both FA and the draft. The NT cupboard is very bare, barring Okam and possibly Red Bryant.

I have Okam going past the 15 mainly because of Ellis and Dorsey and with the value of other players and needs for other teams. I think after okam you do have a pretty good drop in talent with DT... So I would love the pick. Just see more value in Rivers and Conner at OLB IMO or Luranitis at ILB.

I would rather have the Broncos focus on other areas then saftey later in the draft if Phillips (most likly will come out) does not drop. Saftey is going to be more of a "luxary" position for us as of right now. Abdullah is stepping up big time. It would be nice to see some other juniors enter the draft... But not a deep draft at all with Saftey talent wise. There are some OK safties but not top notch.

My mock would look somthing like this right now... I jsut can't make my mind up :D

1st Round – Dan Connor, Penn State OLB (Kenny Phillips*, FS/SS, Miami if comes out and drops) (DeMarcus Granger*, Oklahoma DT or Pat Sims*, Auburn DT)

2nd Round - Dre Moore, Maryland DT or Red Bryant, Texas A&M

4th Round - Max Unger*, Oregon OT (If comes out) or Dorien Bryant, Purdue WR/KR or Keenan Burton, Kentucky or Mario Urrutia*, Louisville WR (If comes out)

4th Round - Duane Brown, Virginia Tech OT (this will also help special teams)

5th Round – Kirk Elder, Texas A&M OG or Brandon Rodd, Arizona State OG or Adam Kraus, Michigan

5th Round - D.J. Parker, FS, Virginia Tech or David Roach, FS, TCU or Wesley Woodyard, SS, Kentucky what ever BPA at position


7th Round - Patrick Carter, Louisville KR/PR/ST or Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State WR, or Marcus Smith, New Mexico WR or Amarri Jackson, South Florida if all those guys are gone (Jeremy Zuttah, Rutgers OT If we do not grab a tackle earlier)

[Nick]

Also I really would not mind if it went like this

1st Round – Sedrick Ellis, USC DT

2nd Round - Earl Bennett*, Vanderbilt WR

Earl Bennett would be the best wide receiver the broncos could grab. With the relationship with him and Cutler.