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This MOCK Draft is based on where I stand halfway through the NFL season. I expect the Broncos are going to win the AFC West Division with an 8-8 record, which will mean they will select around 19th in the first round. They have alot of needs (ie Safety), and they will not be able to solve all their problems in the next Draft, so they are going to have to be active in free agency as well.
Here's my take...although it is always subject to change.
1.) ILB Brandon Spikes - Florida (6'2"-242).
IMO, the MLB position is THE primary need that has to be taken care of on Defense before it has any chance of improving significantly. It is no coincidence the Broncos D has fallen apart since Al Wilson's career ended. I expect the Broncos will look at Spikes and Ohio St.'s James Laurinaitis to solve the problem. Laurinaitis may slip to this area of the first round as well, as I suspect he won't grade out as a super athlete, and both players are behind USC's Ray Maualuga.
In the end, I go with Spikes. He is an athletic guy, and would be a good fit with the Broncos LB core, and will pair nicely with DJ Williams. Spikes can run and hit, blitz and plays with a nasty disposition. He may never be a Pro Bowl guy, but he can be a very solid Pro, and a very good MLB for the Broncos.
2.) RB James Davis - Clemson (5'11"-215)
When I saw Davis run as a Sophmore, I looked forward to the day he became eligible for the NFL Draft. The kid just has great natural run instincts, good speed, and is going to be an exciting player in ther NFL. He has also proven to be a durable runner, with alot of carries in his three years as a primary ballcarrier for the Tigers. I thought Davis was a lock for the first round, but the recent struggles of the Clemson program, and the presence of CJ Spiller will cause Davis to drop a bit. Like Clinton Portis, Davis will prove he deserved to be selected in the first round, and would be a coup for the Broncos as a second round pick. I also think he is perfect for the Broncos zone-blocking, cut-back system....and while I hate to make such a drastic comparison, if you watch James run, he looks a little like another Davis that used to run in Denver, Terrell Davis.
In any case, the Broncos absolutely HAVE to solve their issues at RB. Davis, U Conn's Donald Brown and Iowa's Shonn Greene are others that could be in consideration, but look for the Broncos to address the RB position early in the Draft as it is just too much of a glaring need, and IMO the second round is the perfect place to do it. Also, a good running game can go a long way to helping the Defense stay off the field, and at this point, anything Ryan Torain contributes to the Broncos in the future would have to be considered a bonus.
3.) DE Kyle Moore - USC (6'6"-285)
A relatively unknown, yet solid contributor to a very solid Defense at USC. Moore also has the size and body type to grow into a legit 295lb DE. The Broncos are in dyer need of a strong-sdie presence at DE, as Ebenezer Ekuban's days are numbered, and John Engleberger is a liability as a starter. Tim Crowder has been a major disappointment, and can't be counted on. The Broncos cannot continue to get out-flanked against stronger running teams, and have to address their DE's, which are simply too small at the moment to have any chance of having a stout Defense, especially against the run.
Moore is a true sleeper that has the potential to be a suprise starter in the NFL for a long time.
4.) WR Jordan Shipley - Texas (6'0"-195)
I may be undervaluing Shipley, and he may well sneak into Day One, but he is the perfect successor to Brandon Stokely in the Broncos slot. He is also a very good football player in general that can return kicks. You just can't have enough heady guys, and Shipley would be a great addtion to the Broncos, and a perfect complimetary player to Marshall, Royal and Scheffler.
5.) RB Gartrell Johnson - Colorado St. (6'0"-232)
Johnson is a very powerful runner with a mean streak. He reminds me alot of Tim Hightower and Mike Anderson. If the Broncos take James Davis in the second round, the selection of Johnson in the fifth would turn the Broncos running game from a weakness to an immediate strength. At this point, Ryan Torain does not appear to have a body that can take the punishment of the NFL, so the RB position has to be addressed with more than one draft choice.
6.) Probably sent to the NY Jets to complete the Dewayne Robertson trade.
7.) (From Seattle) DT Brandon Nichols - Colorado (6'3"-298)
A tough, lunch-pale type that could suprise and carve out a career in the NFL.
7.) (From ATL) C/G Jeff Byers - USC (6'2"-288)
A stereotypical 'Broncos-style' O-lineman they could take a flyer on. Also has had problems staying healthy. In the Casey Wiegmann mold.
7.) A DB TBD.
Here's my take...although it is always subject to change.
1.) ILB Brandon Spikes - Florida (6'2"-242).
IMO, the MLB position is THE primary need that has to be taken care of on Defense before it has any chance of improving significantly. It is no coincidence the Broncos D has fallen apart since Al Wilson's career ended. I expect the Broncos will look at Spikes and Ohio St.'s James Laurinaitis to solve the problem. Laurinaitis may slip to this area of the first round as well, as I suspect he won't grade out as a super athlete, and both players are behind USC's Ray Maualuga.
In the end, I go with Spikes. He is an athletic guy, and would be a good fit with the Broncos LB core, and will pair nicely with DJ Williams. Spikes can run and hit, blitz and plays with a nasty disposition. He may never be a Pro Bowl guy, but he can be a very solid Pro, and a very good MLB for the Broncos.
2.) RB James Davis - Clemson (5'11"-215)
When I saw Davis run as a Sophmore, I looked forward to the day he became eligible for the NFL Draft. The kid just has great natural run instincts, good speed, and is going to be an exciting player in ther NFL. He has also proven to be a durable runner, with alot of carries in his three years as a primary ballcarrier for the Tigers. I thought Davis was a lock for the first round, but the recent struggles of the Clemson program, and the presence of CJ Spiller will cause Davis to drop a bit. Like Clinton Portis, Davis will prove he deserved to be selected in the first round, and would be a coup for the Broncos as a second round pick. I also think he is perfect for the Broncos zone-blocking, cut-back system....and while I hate to make such a drastic comparison, if you watch James run, he looks a little like another Davis that used to run in Denver, Terrell Davis.
In any case, the Broncos absolutely HAVE to solve their issues at RB. Davis, U Conn's Donald Brown and Iowa's Shonn Greene are others that could be in consideration, but look for the Broncos to address the RB position early in the Draft as it is just too much of a glaring need, and IMO the second round is the perfect place to do it. Also, a good running game can go a long way to helping the Defense stay off the field, and at this point, anything Ryan Torain contributes to the Broncos in the future would have to be considered a bonus.
3.) DE Kyle Moore - USC (6'6"-285)
A relatively unknown, yet solid contributor to a very solid Defense at USC. Moore also has the size and body type to grow into a legit 295lb DE. The Broncos are in dyer need of a strong-sdie presence at DE, as Ebenezer Ekuban's days are numbered, and John Engleberger is a liability as a starter. Tim Crowder has been a major disappointment, and can't be counted on. The Broncos cannot continue to get out-flanked against stronger running teams, and have to address their DE's, which are simply too small at the moment to have any chance of having a stout Defense, especially against the run.
Moore is a true sleeper that has the potential to be a suprise starter in the NFL for a long time.
4.) WR Jordan Shipley - Texas (6'0"-195)
I may be undervaluing Shipley, and he may well sneak into Day One, but he is the perfect successor to Brandon Stokely in the Broncos slot. He is also a very good football player in general that can return kicks. You just can't have enough heady guys, and Shipley would be a great addtion to the Broncos, and a perfect complimetary player to Marshall, Royal and Scheffler.
5.) RB Gartrell Johnson - Colorado St. (6'0"-232)
Johnson is a very powerful runner with a mean streak. He reminds me alot of Tim Hightower and Mike Anderson. If the Broncos take James Davis in the second round, the selection of Johnson in the fifth would turn the Broncos running game from a weakness to an immediate strength. At this point, Ryan Torain does not appear to have a body that can take the punishment of the NFL, so the RB position has to be addressed with more than one draft choice.
6.) Probably sent to the NY Jets to complete the Dewayne Robertson trade.
7.) (From Seattle) DT Brandon Nichols - Colorado (6'3"-298)
A tough, lunch-pale type that could suprise and carve out a career in the NFL.
7.) (From ATL) C/G Jeff Byers - USC (6'2"-288)
A stereotypical 'Broncos-style' O-lineman they could take a flyer on. Also has had problems staying healthy. In the Casey Wiegmann mold.
7.) A DB TBD.
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