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Lancane’s Draft as of 1/3/08:
Rnd 1: Rashard Mendenhall - HB - Illinois
- Shanahan will have everyone convinced he is shopping to fix the defense this off-season, but a few league sources have reported that the undertone for the off-season is to get Cutler more weapons atop of fixing the defense. And in round one the defensive athletes will be thin where Denver picks, most people around the NFL tend to forget Shanahan is an offense first coach, he startled people in 2006 with the drafting of Jay Cutler who is already being heralded as the best quarterback so far of that class. Shanahan who is from Illinois himself and keeps close ties to his home state and their teams will be looking to help his team become better all around. Enter Rashard Mendenhall, a Top 15 halfback from his home state. Mendenhall was originally believed to be a solid Top 20 pick but has seen his stock rocket from a 2007 campaign in which he was named the Big Ten Player of the Year. No more undrafted free agents, no more league leftovers…I think Shanahan finally pulls the trigger and gets his franchise halfback.
Rnd 2: Dre Moore - DT - Maryland
- After adding to the offensive arsenal, Shanahan will need to get talent in the front of the defensive line which had allowed Denver to drop drastically in rushing defense. Dre Moore against West Virginia did everything to showboat his potential to scouts and moving him to a solid second round choice; it was a game which saw him shut down one of the best halfbacks in college football in Steve Slaton. At 6-4 and 298lbs Moore has an impressive 4.82 forty, he excels against the run but can get to a quarterback with his strength and collapse a pocket easily. He is well known to be a workout warrior with tremendous upside which will nab attention from the Broncos who relish such attributes in their players. Moore may be the defensive linemen steal of the draft having the abilities of both Okam from Texas and Pressley from North Carolina St., two defensive tackles which are likely real high on Denver’s boards.
Rnd 3 (From Walker or Foxworth Trade): Andre Caldwell - WR - Florida
- The news that Walker wanted out is no surprise to many in the league, but it did hurt the many fans he had in Denver. Caldwell is a solid day one pick but he will slip with the many underclassmen studs entering the draft, that along with the fact that he has been inconsistent during his college career will drop his value. Shanahan will risk a pick on the Florida product though, because Shanahan and the Broncos have deep ties to Florida, also that Caldwell is a prototypical Bronco receiver in size at 6-0 and 200lbs, the most impressive thing about Caldwell his his route running ability and his forty for his size, Shanahan will likely be happy to have Marshall and Stokely as his two starters, but Caldwell who has great upside and a very likeable personality will be a fan favorite almost instantly, coupled along with his ability to return kicks and spread the field, I see Shanahan risking a 3rd round pick even if it looks like he will slide.
Rnd 4a: Marcus Griffin - FS - Texas
- Abdullah is a young strong safety talent who was forced to step in from his spot for John Lynch during certain games, originally Lynch was a strong safety himself, the one thing Denver lacks in their dynamic defensive backfield is a ball hawk free safety. Griffin may be able to thank his brother for this pick, because Griffin could slide to the early 4th round with the level of talent at safety this year. His twin brother Michael Griffin a 1st round pick last year for the Tennessee Titans has a coach who is good friends with Mike Shanahan, instrumental in the drafting of Jay Cutler. Marcus is considered by Texas coaches as a better athletic talent then his twin brother Michael, that should peak Shanahan’s interest, let alone that he can get word from the Tennessee Head Coach on his impression of the two and similarities as well.
Rnd 4b: Oniel Cousins - OT - Texas El Paso
- Denver’s line was horrid the past year, and with the retirement of Matt Lepsis the Broncos will be looking to add depth and talent to their depleted ranks. Harris, Denver’s 3rd round pick in 2007 missed time with a herniated disk and was questionable, but the Bronco staff does feel he will be ready to challenge for a starting role in 2008. Nalen and Hamilton brought good news that they both will return to finish off the last year of their contracts, but it does bring up a problem for the 2009 season. Some sources believe a big shift is needed, and that Denver may look to bring in free agent left guard Ryan Lilja from Indianapolis, which will more then likely force Hamilton to start at the right guard spot for his final season in Denver. Another source thinks it will be a shift of positions, that Harris will man the left tackle position and Hamilton next to him, but that Erik Pears may be looking at being shifted in the 2009 season to left guard, while he will start again this season at right tackle. And leaving at the right guard spot a battle more then likely take place between Holland and Kuper; this is ideal for Cousins because he comes from the 5th best zone blocking passing offense in college football, a natural fit in Denver and the 6-5, 305lbs UTEP product will get a year behind Pears to prepare for taking over the position.
Rnd 4c (Walker or Foxworth Trade): Jehuu Caulcrick - FB - Michigan State
- Denver has not had the best of luck with fullbacks since they had lost Howard Griffin, and with the lack of pass protection and run blocking, even short yardage gains, this may not be the prettiest pick, but a sound one. Caulcrick is a monster fullback and not only can this 6-0, 260lbs beast block in both the run and passing game, he has been clocked with a 4.65 forty which is best among lead blocking fullbacks, even over top rated Peyton Hillis of Arkansas. The dual threat ability of Caulcrick will really peak Shanahan’s interest being that two scouts have dubbed the Michigan State product a possible Lorenzo Neal type fullback, who Shanahan knows all too well. He will instantly be challenging for a starting position in camp, and could be this years Brandon Marshall for the Broncos in that he will surprise many around the league.
Rnd 5a: Wesley Woodyard - LB/S - Kentucky
- Denver needs depth at both positions, and Woodyard could be a gem pick to either position. Aggressive with a great motor and encouraging upside, Woodyard at 6-1, 212 lbs could easily write his own ticket with the Broncos, if he stays at 212lbs he will likely become a safety, but if he can add on another ten pounds he could easily become a future star in the linebacker corps for Denver where Winborn and Webster are slated to become free agents after the 2009 season and he could force a transition of the line in a new direction. Woodyard is a first day talent, who should be an early day two pick, but too many teams will see him as a safety he will fall due to depth. If rated as a linebacker few teams will look at him, he just may be the fastest linebacker/safety hybrid in the draft with a clocked forty of 4.41, his quickness and speed, along with aggressive tendencies would help Denver, even if only on special teams.
Rnd 5b: Doug Legursky - C - Marshall
- Nalen will return for the final year of his contract and likely retire after the season, Denver may use Chris Myers in a trade with another Bronco or pick to manuever in the draft, Myers a RFA started at center for part of the year and looked overall to be an okay linemen, but I doubt the Broncos are sold on him being the future of this team. Myers will garner heavy interest from Atlanta and possibly Kansas City where it has been reported they wish to go with the zone blocking scheme and need to upgrade their horrid line. Legursky is not a pretty pick, but the 6-3, 311lbs center has a mean streak and versatility to nab the attention of Dennison and Shanahan. With a forty of 5 flat he is the fastest of the 300lbs plus centers in the draft, even quicker then most of the lighter centers which would be more Denver-typical. Shanahan knows that the line needs to be prepared for the exit of Hamilton and Nalen after the 08’ season and Legursky has been a solid anchor on the Marshall offensive line since becoming the starting center.
Rnd 7: Nick Watkins - LB - Clemson
- Special teams needs to be fixed, and this kid who is so intense he is scary could be a valued addition and great for linebacker depth. If you thought Romo was nasty, Watkins will make your eyes pop! He is a fierce competitor, not the sharpest tool in the shed…but the one tool you might shy from using because of the lethal edge of it. Watkins who is only 222lbs is a quick, not exactly fast and a hard hitter, problem is sometimes he over pursues, even gets a bit destructional in his effort, but coming to a team where linebackers are as revered as the quarterback and running backs he may find the coaching needed to hone is raw talent and anger in a more progressive way. Denver will think he is another Ian Gold, but he is more like Ian Gold with a little less upside, equal in talent and Romonowski’s mean streak.
Rnd 1: Rashard Mendenhall - HB - Illinois
- Shanahan will have everyone convinced he is shopping to fix the defense this off-season, but a few league sources have reported that the undertone for the off-season is to get Cutler more weapons atop of fixing the defense. And in round one the defensive athletes will be thin where Denver picks, most people around the NFL tend to forget Shanahan is an offense first coach, he startled people in 2006 with the drafting of Jay Cutler who is already being heralded as the best quarterback so far of that class. Shanahan who is from Illinois himself and keeps close ties to his home state and their teams will be looking to help his team become better all around. Enter Rashard Mendenhall, a Top 15 halfback from his home state. Mendenhall was originally believed to be a solid Top 20 pick but has seen his stock rocket from a 2007 campaign in which he was named the Big Ten Player of the Year. No more undrafted free agents, no more league leftovers…I think Shanahan finally pulls the trigger and gets his franchise halfback.
Rnd 2: Dre Moore - DT - Maryland
- After adding to the offensive arsenal, Shanahan will need to get talent in the front of the defensive line which had allowed Denver to drop drastically in rushing defense. Dre Moore against West Virginia did everything to showboat his potential to scouts and moving him to a solid second round choice; it was a game which saw him shut down one of the best halfbacks in college football in Steve Slaton. At 6-4 and 298lbs Moore has an impressive 4.82 forty, he excels against the run but can get to a quarterback with his strength and collapse a pocket easily. He is well known to be a workout warrior with tremendous upside which will nab attention from the Broncos who relish such attributes in their players. Moore may be the defensive linemen steal of the draft having the abilities of both Okam from Texas and Pressley from North Carolina St., two defensive tackles which are likely real high on Denver’s boards.
Rnd 3 (From Walker or Foxworth Trade): Andre Caldwell - WR - Florida
- The news that Walker wanted out is no surprise to many in the league, but it did hurt the many fans he had in Denver. Caldwell is a solid day one pick but he will slip with the many underclassmen studs entering the draft, that along with the fact that he has been inconsistent during his college career will drop his value. Shanahan will risk a pick on the Florida product though, because Shanahan and the Broncos have deep ties to Florida, also that Caldwell is a prototypical Bronco receiver in size at 6-0 and 200lbs, the most impressive thing about Caldwell his his route running ability and his forty for his size, Shanahan will likely be happy to have Marshall and Stokely as his two starters, but Caldwell who has great upside and a very likeable personality will be a fan favorite almost instantly, coupled along with his ability to return kicks and spread the field, I see Shanahan risking a 3rd round pick even if it looks like he will slide.
Rnd 4a: Marcus Griffin - FS - Texas
- Abdullah is a young strong safety talent who was forced to step in from his spot for John Lynch during certain games, originally Lynch was a strong safety himself, the one thing Denver lacks in their dynamic defensive backfield is a ball hawk free safety. Griffin may be able to thank his brother for this pick, because Griffin could slide to the early 4th round with the level of talent at safety this year. His twin brother Michael Griffin a 1st round pick last year for the Tennessee Titans has a coach who is good friends with Mike Shanahan, instrumental in the drafting of Jay Cutler. Marcus is considered by Texas coaches as a better athletic talent then his twin brother Michael, that should peak Shanahan’s interest, let alone that he can get word from the Tennessee Head Coach on his impression of the two and similarities as well.
Rnd 4b: Oniel Cousins - OT - Texas El Paso
- Denver’s line was horrid the past year, and with the retirement of Matt Lepsis the Broncos will be looking to add depth and talent to their depleted ranks. Harris, Denver’s 3rd round pick in 2007 missed time with a herniated disk and was questionable, but the Bronco staff does feel he will be ready to challenge for a starting role in 2008. Nalen and Hamilton brought good news that they both will return to finish off the last year of their contracts, but it does bring up a problem for the 2009 season. Some sources believe a big shift is needed, and that Denver may look to bring in free agent left guard Ryan Lilja from Indianapolis, which will more then likely force Hamilton to start at the right guard spot for his final season in Denver. Another source thinks it will be a shift of positions, that Harris will man the left tackle position and Hamilton next to him, but that Erik Pears may be looking at being shifted in the 2009 season to left guard, while he will start again this season at right tackle. And leaving at the right guard spot a battle more then likely take place between Holland and Kuper; this is ideal for Cousins because he comes from the 5th best zone blocking passing offense in college football, a natural fit in Denver and the 6-5, 305lbs UTEP product will get a year behind Pears to prepare for taking over the position.
Rnd 4c (Walker or Foxworth Trade): Jehuu Caulcrick - FB - Michigan State
- Denver has not had the best of luck with fullbacks since they had lost Howard Griffin, and with the lack of pass protection and run blocking, even short yardage gains, this may not be the prettiest pick, but a sound one. Caulcrick is a monster fullback and not only can this 6-0, 260lbs beast block in both the run and passing game, he has been clocked with a 4.65 forty which is best among lead blocking fullbacks, even over top rated Peyton Hillis of Arkansas. The dual threat ability of Caulcrick will really peak Shanahan’s interest being that two scouts have dubbed the Michigan State product a possible Lorenzo Neal type fullback, who Shanahan knows all too well. He will instantly be challenging for a starting position in camp, and could be this years Brandon Marshall for the Broncos in that he will surprise many around the league.
Rnd 5a: Wesley Woodyard - LB/S - Kentucky
- Denver needs depth at both positions, and Woodyard could be a gem pick to either position. Aggressive with a great motor and encouraging upside, Woodyard at 6-1, 212 lbs could easily write his own ticket with the Broncos, if he stays at 212lbs he will likely become a safety, but if he can add on another ten pounds he could easily become a future star in the linebacker corps for Denver where Winborn and Webster are slated to become free agents after the 2009 season and he could force a transition of the line in a new direction. Woodyard is a first day talent, who should be an early day two pick, but too many teams will see him as a safety he will fall due to depth. If rated as a linebacker few teams will look at him, he just may be the fastest linebacker/safety hybrid in the draft with a clocked forty of 4.41, his quickness and speed, along with aggressive tendencies would help Denver, even if only on special teams.
Rnd 5b: Doug Legursky - C - Marshall
- Nalen will return for the final year of his contract and likely retire after the season, Denver may use Chris Myers in a trade with another Bronco or pick to manuever in the draft, Myers a RFA started at center for part of the year and looked overall to be an okay linemen, but I doubt the Broncos are sold on him being the future of this team. Myers will garner heavy interest from Atlanta and possibly Kansas City where it has been reported they wish to go with the zone blocking scheme and need to upgrade their horrid line. Legursky is not a pretty pick, but the 6-3, 311lbs center has a mean streak and versatility to nab the attention of Dennison and Shanahan. With a forty of 5 flat he is the fastest of the 300lbs plus centers in the draft, even quicker then most of the lighter centers which would be more Denver-typical. Shanahan knows that the line needs to be prepared for the exit of Hamilton and Nalen after the 08’ season and Legursky has been a solid anchor on the Marshall offensive line since becoming the starting center.
Rnd 7: Nick Watkins - LB - Clemson
- Special teams needs to be fixed, and this kid who is so intense he is scary could be a valued addition and great for linebacker depth. If you thought Romo was nasty, Watkins will make your eyes pop! He is a fierce competitor, not the sharpest tool in the shed…but the one tool you might shy from using because of the lethal edge of it. Watkins who is only 222lbs is a quick, not exactly fast and a hard hitter, problem is sometimes he over pursues, even gets a bit destructional in his effort, but coming to a team where linebackers are as revered as the quarterback and running backs he may find the coaching needed to hone is raw talent and anger in a more progressive way. Denver will think he is another Ian Gold, but he is more like Ian Gold with a little less upside, equal in talent and Romonowski’s mean streak.
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