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...and a terrible Draft in 2008 to get them there...
But I digress...
So, the Broncos currently draft at #12 in the first round, and currently have a total of eight Draft picks overall.
The biggest problem is, due to the fact that the Broncos have had more terrible drafts than productive ones since 2000, the Broncos have had to try and make up ground by over-paying for marginal players in free agency, or by picking up street free agents, which, ironically, they actually have had more success with.
So, where to begin?
I guess Offense is the obvious choice. So, here it is, Part I:
RB's
Travis Henry may be retained after he takes a huge paycut, since he has little to no leverage, but he was a disappointment in 2007 as he could not take the pounding, and IMO is not long for the Broncos or the NFL.
Selvin Young and Andre Hall are nice backs that might be great backups, and very capable as ST's contributors, and change-of-pace guys, but they are not starters. It makes no sense to pickup a second-tier RB in the Draft, such as Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice, because he is so similar to Selvin Young to begin with, but a late-round FB candidate is not out of the question.
Draft conclusion: Considering the overall weakness of this Draft at so many positions, and the fact that identifying a true No.1 RB has to be very high on the Broncos agenda, the selection of a RB such as Oregon's Jonathan Stewart, or Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall has to be a very good possibility if the Broncos stay at #12. But the merry-go-round at RB has to stop. The Broncos have to get a 'franchise' back in the mold of a TD or Portis to offset the backs the premier teams in the AFC have. The more weapons Jay Cutler has at his disposal, the more dynamic the Broncos Offense can become, and the more it can take pressure off of a Defense that realistically is going to need a few years to recover.
If I am making the pick, I give the selection of a RB very high consideration.
WR's
Brandon Marshall looks like a budding perennial Pro Bowler. That's a good thing, because Javon Walker, after so much promise in his first year in Denver, looks like he has talked his way out of town, and in doing so, left a huge hole in the receiver core. Brandon Stokely rebounded nicely in his re-hab from Achillies surgery that cost him the end of '06, but it remains unclear if he can stay healthy for a full season as a slot reciever. On a positive note, he may have the perfect understudy in Glen Martinez, who just continued to get better and better as the season went along, and who also showed some flair as a punt returner. All in all, he has probably earned another year to develop and see if he can become a legit NFL player. Martinez would do well to watch Stokley's every move, absorb it, and try to clone himself into that role. No one else on the roster is worth mentioning.
Draft conclusion: This is one area the Broncos may be able to best help themselves through Free Agency. There is no WR worth the #12 pick, and I would not spend a second rounder there, either, as they have bigger, more pressing needs. The Broncos should concentrate on trying to 'steal' a WR that slips into the 4th round, where thay have two selections.
Offensive Line:
Matt Lepsis has retired, and in doing so, has left a question mark at one of the most important positions on a football team, LT. Good thing for the Broncos that there seem to be some good prospects available in the Draft, and at least some depth. The Broncos also drafted Ryan Harris last year in the 3rd round, and they seem to like him, so it will be very interesting to me to see if they give Harris a year to win or lose the job before they address it with another high Draft choice.
Erik Pears has had his moments at R and LT over the last two seasons, and I really believe this is a make or break year for him. I was also disappointed to see the Broncos not promote last years practice squad OT Cliff Washburn, who the Packers signed away from them late in the year. Another late round OT selection, such as Colorado's Tyler Polumbus, would seem to be a very strong possibility.
The Broncos brass seems to like it's interior, as C Tom Nalen is said to be coming back for his 15th year. Chris Kuper is a young player that may have a future as a starter. Ben Hamilton is a question mark, and Montrae Holland is solid, if not spectacular. Chris Myers provides decent depth and ST's play.
Draft conclusion:The Broncos have made a habit out of trying to develop late round and undrafted Free Agents, and really, historically the O-Line is where you can have the most success late. I could see the Broncos trading down to say #20 or so, and drafting Vandy OT Chris Williams if he grades out there, or they could take Boise St OT Ryan Clady at #12, otherwise, I would expect the Broncos to draft some other developmental types with their Day Two picks.
ST's
A WR that can double as a dynamic kick returner would be ideal. But beyond CAL's Sean Jackson, who I would not draft with a first round pick, there really are no prospects worth drafting with a Day One pick. Glen Martinez and Andre Hall look like they may have bought the Broncos another year with their efforts late in the season, as they did a serviceable job and at least have proven themselves to be worth another look.
Kick coverage will only improve when the Broncos improve the quality of their LB's and Safeties, which are poor, and who provide the majority of the coverage teams personnel. It is no coincidence that the Defense was bad, and that the tackling on ST's was as well, because they are largely the same players doing both jobs.
Next Up: Part II/Defense
But I digress...
So, the Broncos currently draft at #12 in the first round, and currently have a total of eight Draft picks overall.
The biggest problem is, due to the fact that the Broncos have had more terrible drafts than productive ones since 2000, the Broncos have had to try and make up ground by over-paying for marginal players in free agency, or by picking up street free agents, which, ironically, they actually have had more success with.
So, where to begin?
I guess Offense is the obvious choice. So, here it is, Part I:
RB's
Travis Henry may be retained after he takes a huge paycut, since he has little to no leverage, but he was a disappointment in 2007 as he could not take the pounding, and IMO is not long for the Broncos or the NFL.
Selvin Young and Andre Hall are nice backs that might be great backups, and very capable as ST's contributors, and change-of-pace guys, but they are not starters. It makes no sense to pickup a second-tier RB in the Draft, such as Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice, because he is so similar to Selvin Young to begin with, but a late-round FB candidate is not out of the question.
Draft conclusion: Considering the overall weakness of this Draft at so many positions, and the fact that identifying a true No.1 RB has to be very high on the Broncos agenda, the selection of a RB such as Oregon's Jonathan Stewart, or Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall has to be a very good possibility if the Broncos stay at #12. But the merry-go-round at RB has to stop. The Broncos have to get a 'franchise' back in the mold of a TD or Portis to offset the backs the premier teams in the AFC have. The more weapons Jay Cutler has at his disposal, the more dynamic the Broncos Offense can become, and the more it can take pressure off of a Defense that realistically is going to need a few years to recover.
If I am making the pick, I give the selection of a RB very high consideration.
WR's
Brandon Marshall looks like a budding perennial Pro Bowler. That's a good thing, because Javon Walker, after so much promise in his first year in Denver, looks like he has talked his way out of town, and in doing so, left a huge hole in the receiver core. Brandon Stokely rebounded nicely in his re-hab from Achillies surgery that cost him the end of '06, but it remains unclear if he can stay healthy for a full season as a slot reciever. On a positive note, he may have the perfect understudy in Glen Martinez, who just continued to get better and better as the season went along, and who also showed some flair as a punt returner. All in all, he has probably earned another year to develop and see if he can become a legit NFL player. Martinez would do well to watch Stokley's every move, absorb it, and try to clone himself into that role. No one else on the roster is worth mentioning.
Draft conclusion: This is one area the Broncos may be able to best help themselves through Free Agency. There is no WR worth the #12 pick, and I would not spend a second rounder there, either, as they have bigger, more pressing needs. The Broncos should concentrate on trying to 'steal' a WR that slips into the 4th round, where thay have two selections.
Offensive Line:
Matt Lepsis has retired, and in doing so, has left a question mark at one of the most important positions on a football team, LT. Good thing for the Broncos that there seem to be some good prospects available in the Draft, and at least some depth. The Broncos also drafted Ryan Harris last year in the 3rd round, and they seem to like him, so it will be very interesting to me to see if they give Harris a year to win or lose the job before they address it with another high Draft choice.
Erik Pears has had his moments at R and LT over the last two seasons, and I really believe this is a make or break year for him. I was also disappointed to see the Broncos not promote last years practice squad OT Cliff Washburn, who the Packers signed away from them late in the year. Another late round OT selection, such as Colorado's Tyler Polumbus, would seem to be a very strong possibility.
The Broncos brass seems to like it's interior, as C Tom Nalen is said to be coming back for his 15th year. Chris Kuper is a young player that may have a future as a starter. Ben Hamilton is a question mark, and Montrae Holland is solid, if not spectacular. Chris Myers provides decent depth and ST's play.
Draft conclusion:The Broncos have made a habit out of trying to develop late round and undrafted Free Agents, and really, historically the O-Line is where you can have the most success late. I could see the Broncos trading down to say #20 or so, and drafting Vandy OT Chris Williams if he grades out there, or they could take Boise St OT Ryan Clady at #12, otherwise, I would expect the Broncos to draft some other developmental types with their Day Two picks.
ST's
A WR that can double as a dynamic kick returner would be ideal. But beyond CAL's Sean Jackson, who I would not draft with a first round pick, there really are no prospects worth drafting with a Day One pick. Glen Martinez and Andre Hall look like they may have bought the Broncos another year with their efforts late in the season, as they did a serviceable job and at least have proven themselves to be worth another look.
Kick coverage will only improve when the Broncos improve the quality of their LB's and Safeties, which are poor, and who provide the majority of the coverage teams personnel. It is no coincidence that the Defense was bad, and that the tackling on ST's was as well, because they are largely the same players doing both jobs.
Next Up: Part II/Defense
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