I kind of liked the first 3 picks of what Walterfootball.com mock draft had us taking:
Ryan Clady at 12, Kentawn Balmer at 42, and Earl Bennett at 104
Ryan Clady:
The Broncos really need help everywhere on defense. Unfortunately, all of the top defensive players are off the board. In the wake of Matt Lepsis' retirement, Denver has Ryan Harris and Erik Pears at the two positions, which could really be hazardous to Jay Cutler's health, should either guy struggle in pass protection. I know Mike Shanahan seldom drafts offensive tackles in the first round, but with no worthy defensive prospects available here, he may have to "settle" for the No. 2 tackle prospect in this class.
As for any doubters of Clady's ability to play in the zone-blocking scheme, check out this quote from Clady himself:
"We were primarily a zone, I'm kinda like a Denver Broncos type offensive lineman, we cut a lot and position block and stuff like that."
Special thanks to e-mailer Chris Hansen for that quote.
One more thing to keep in mind - if Shanahan sees Sedrick Ellis or Glenn Dorsey drop past Kansas City, he may swap selections with the Ravens in an attempt to land one of the top two defensive tackles in this draft.
Kentawn Balmer:
Denver was 30th against the run last year and desperately needs to acquire some talent at defensive tackle. Hopefully drafting Kentwan Balmer (yes, another steal in Round 2) is a step in the right direction to rebuilding one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
Trade Possibility? It's no secret Jay Cutler is lobbying for Earl Bennett. In a recent workout, Cutler completed 22-of-22 attempts to his former wide out at Vanderbilt. However, it's a bit early to draft Bennett and the Broncos don't have a selection in the third round. If Shanahan wants to please his quarterback, he may decide to trade down to recoup the third-round selection he lost to the Vikings.
Earl Bennett:
Talk about luck. Earlier, I mentioned the Broncos could trade down in the second round to recoup a third-rounder to use on Earl Bennett. Well, he ends up being available here because this draft class is so incredibly deep. In case you missed it, Jay Cutler, who played with Bennett at Vanderbilt, completed 22-of-22 passes in a recent workout with his old receiver. Think Cutler wants Bennett as a new No. 2 wide out?
What do you guys think?
Ryan Clady at 12, Kentawn Balmer at 42, and Earl Bennett at 104
Ryan Clady:
The Broncos really need help everywhere on defense. Unfortunately, all of the top defensive players are off the board. In the wake of Matt Lepsis' retirement, Denver has Ryan Harris and Erik Pears at the two positions, which could really be hazardous to Jay Cutler's health, should either guy struggle in pass protection. I know Mike Shanahan seldom drafts offensive tackles in the first round, but with no worthy defensive prospects available here, he may have to "settle" for the No. 2 tackle prospect in this class.
As for any doubters of Clady's ability to play in the zone-blocking scheme, check out this quote from Clady himself:
"We were primarily a zone, I'm kinda like a Denver Broncos type offensive lineman, we cut a lot and position block and stuff like that."
Special thanks to e-mailer Chris Hansen for that quote.
One more thing to keep in mind - if Shanahan sees Sedrick Ellis or Glenn Dorsey drop past Kansas City, he may swap selections with the Ravens in an attempt to land one of the top two defensive tackles in this draft.
Kentawn Balmer:
Denver was 30th against the run last year and desperately needs to acquire some talent at defensive tackle. Hopefully drafting Kentwan Balmer (yes, another steal in Round 2) is a step in the right direction to rebuilding one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
Trade Possibility? It's no secret Jay Cutler is lobbying for Earl Bennett. In a recent workout, Cutler completed 22-of-22 attempts to his former wide out at Vanderbilt. However, it's a bit early to draft Bennett and the Broncos don't have a selection in the third round. If Shanahan wants to please his quarterback, he may decide to trade down to recoup the third-round selection he lost to the Vikings.
Earl Bennett:
Talk about luck. Earlier, I mentioned the Broncos could trade down in the second round to recoup a third-rounder to use on Earl Bennett. Well, he ends up being available here because this draft class is so incredibly deep. In case you missed it, Jay Cutler, who played with Bennett at Vanderbilt, completed 22-of-22 passes in a recent workout with his old receiver. Think Cutler wants Bennett as a new No. 2 wide out?
What do you guys think?
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