Your Top 18 Broncos Big Board

[Harvitz81]

1. Raji - NT
2. Jackson - DE
3. Curry - LB
4. Jenkins - CB/FS
5. Davis - CB
6. Moreno - RB
7. Sanchez - QB
8. Orakpo - DE/OLB
9. Crabtree - WR
10. Cushing - OLB
11. Matthews - OLB
12. English - OLB
13. Maualuga - ILB
14. Brown - RB
15. Pettigrew - TE
16. Wood - C
17. Jerry - DT/DE
18. Ayers - DE

[ThunderGulch]

I have no way of knowing what the Broncos Top 18 are, but something tells me it looks nothing like what we have seen here.

I think we are all in for some suprises on Saturday/Sunday.

I still say trade down and add picks where you can, even if that includes deferring them to next year, because this draft is just not that good. There are several positions that have a lack of talent, such as QB, DL, CB and S.

If you are smart, you should look to draft where there is talent and depth, and that means RB, C and LB....and guess what, the Broncos could use an upgrade at each of those positions too.

Josh and X would do well to take what the draft gives them and not try and re-invent the wheel by reaching for need.

That means don't sacrifice a third rounder to trade up to #8 to take Raji, for example, who is not a great fit as a 3-4 NT, has character issues (and we all know that has cost us before), and in general is a big risk considering the money you have to pay him and the investment you would make in him.

Totally agree, if you could move down and stockpile picks that would be ideal. The player I would look at in the late first, early second would be OLB/DE/TE Connor Barwin out of Cincy. He has a boat load of athletic talent and has shown the ability to quickly/effectively learn a new position. He is a Patriot type prospect and with Josh at the helm I wouldn't be surprised to see him high on the Broncos wish list.

[Cugel]

My list? Rather what I THINK McDaniels is thinking: Disclaimer! You mileage may vary. Not available in all states. Not warranted beyond the show-room floor. Batteries not included.

1. BJ Raji
2. Brian Orakpo
3. Michael Crabtree
4. Aaron Curry
5. Mark Sanchez
6. Malcom Jenkins
7. Tyson Jackson
8. Rey Maualuga
9. Aaron Maybin
10. Larry English
11. Everette Brown
12. Vontae Davis
13. Kowshon Moreno
14. Ron Brace
15. Josh Freeman
16. Robert Ayers
17. Clay Mathews
18. Darius Butler

[Cugel]

Totally agree, if you could move down and stockpile picks that would be ideal. The player I would look at in the late first, early second would be OLB/DE/TE Connor Barwin out of Cincy. He has a boat load of athletic talent and has shown the ability to quickly/effectively learn a new position. He is a Patriot type prospect and with Josh at the helm I wouldn't be surprised to see him high on the Broncos wish list.

I almost put Connor Barwin on the list, but #18 might be a little high for him. If the Broncos could arrange a trade down into the 20's in exchange for a 3rd round pick, that might be a viable option -- although I'd prefer to see Ron Brace at that point (unless they somehow got Raji).

Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see him at #18. People were surprised by Jerod Meyo last year -- that was the "surprise pick" of the top 10 -- but WHO walked away with the defensive rookie of the year award?

[Goatmaster]

1. aaron curry- best all around lb
2. brian orakpo- too much muscle makes him stiff (nice problem to have) bit of stretching and he will be fine
3. robert ayers- similar measurables to shawn merriman, can play 4-3 end and 3-4 olb, we had another lb from UT that was, lets say, pretty good
4. michael crabtree- rebirth of the three amigos
5. bj raji- had a questionable work ethic but imo a good bench took care of that
6. knowshon moreno- good hands, explosive
7. brian cushing- versatile but does not have a high roof
8. jeremy maclin- same reason as crabtree
9. rey maualuga- if i dropped him any lower some people would throw a hissy fit, not good in coverage, not a huge improvement over larsen
10. Eric Wood- amazing versatility
11. Ziggy Hood- great work ethic, strong, athletic, solid production
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

oops class is almost over, gtg
fun fact: tyson jackson is the surest flop as a first rounder i have seen on these boards

[broncos SB2010]

We pick 12 and 18th. Lets see everyone's personal, denver broncos only, big boards. I want to see your Top 18. If you don't think a position or prospect is a fit for our team, leave him out.



*MY* Broncos Big Board (Top 18)

1. DT BJ Raji
2. RB Knowshon Moreno
3. CB Malcolm Jenkins
4. DE Tyson Jackson
5. LB Aaron Curry
6. DE/LB Brian Orakpo
7. DE/LB Robert Ayers
8. QB Matt Stafford
9. QB Mark Sanchez
10. RB Chris Wells
11. DE/LB Everette Brown
12. DE/LB Larry English
13. LB Brian Cushing
14. LB Rey Maualuga
15. CB Sean Smith
16. CB Vontae Davis
17. TE Brandon Pettigrew
18. OC Alex Mack



I left out WRs because I just don't feel we need one. Personal opinion. I also don't feel we need LBs either, so they took a back seat to a degree as well, especially the ILBs.


Lets see your Top 18 Broncos Board....

1. DT BJ Raji
2. CB Malcolm Jenkins
3. RB Knowshon Moreno
4. LB Aaron Curry
5. CB Vontae Davis
6. QB Mark Sanchez
7. WR MIchael Crabtree
8. LB Brian Cushing
9. WR Jeremy Maclin
10. LB Rey Maualuga
11. DT Peria Jerry
12. OC Alex Mack
13. OC Eric Wood
14. TE Brandon Pettigrew
15. CB Sean Smith
16. Clint Sintim
17. CB Darius Butler
18. DT Ziggy Hood

I took out all of the DE/OLB conversions because I don't know if they are any better than the players we have already like Crowder, Doom, and Moss. I also added WR since I do believe it is a need. It is a minor need and more for the future than anything. Crabtree or Maclin would be great on the outside paired with Marshall and Royal inside. Stokley is gone soon and Gaffney isn't a long term solution.

[MindField]

My take on the 'best' defensive players in this draft is this:

1) Raji: A true 4-3 DT that is going to be alot like Gerard Warren in that he does not want to do the dirty work a true 3-4 NT has to do. He will want his sacks and his fame, and does not fit the profile of a grinder, which you have to be at NT. He also has questionable character and work ethic.

Fit for Broncos: Poor

2) Aaron Curry: A very solid player with the least risk, but he is a true SS-OLB for a 4-3. He is not a great fit for a 3-4, and if a team like the Chiefs take him, they will most likely have to move him inside, and the Broncos already have a similar player in DJ Williams.

Fit for the Broncos: Poor

3) Tyson Jackson: Has the best skill set to fit what the Broncos do as a 5-technique DE that can crash in as a DT in a 4-3...his versatility is a plus, but how good of a player is he?

Fit for the Broncos: Poor at #12, decent at #18

4) Malcom Jenkins: A cover-two type corner that probably can't play there in Denver, and would have to be moved to Safety. The problem is, no one is sure what that means. It is generally not a great idea to select a player that will come with a position change.

Fit for the Broncos: Poor at #12, moderate at #18

5) Everette Brown: A DE at Florida St in a system that has not translated well to the NFL. Kameron Wimbley was a DE that the Browns tried to convert to an OLB in their 3-4 'D', and it has been a failure. Again, like the troubles the Florida WR's had in translating to the NFL, I would not be inclined to test fate and pass on Brown. He also is redundant for the Broncos in that he would compete with Dumervil and Moss at ROLB. To me, to spend a pick on him would be overkill and would come with too much risk.

Fit for the Broncos: Poor

6) Aaron Maybin: Mr. First Step has a skill that could make him deadly in the NFL as a pass rusher, but he has never dropped into coverage, and while he has rushed from the strong side, his weight gain has not made him stronger, so you wonder if he will get man handled by bigger NFL OT's.

Fit for the Broncos: Buyer beware....personally, I would pass.

7) Brian Cushing: An weight room freak that fits the model of a guy whose body is going to break down in the NFL, because he is a pumped up guy. I also think he benefitted more than any other player on the Trojans defense by playing with the ridiculous talent USC had. He is not a great pass rusher from the edge, and I still say he has steroid skeletons in his closet that someday will reveal themselves.

Fit for the Broncos: Poor

I just addressed arguably the top seven defensive prospects in this draft, and none of them are sure fire, can't miss prospects.

That leaves a dropoff to players like Rey Maualuga, Ron Brace, Clint Sintim, Lawrence Sidbury, etc that can be had with later picks, and in the end would probably be more effective for the Broncos anyway.


That means, if the Broncos are smart, and they are drafting for value, and cannot trade down, players like Knowshon Moreno have to factor in to their thinking.

More than anything, the Broncos cannot afford any more Jarvis Moss-type reaches on defense.

[ThunderGulch]

I almost put Connor Barwin on the list, but #18 might be a little high for him. If the Broncos could arrange a trade down into the 20's in exchange for a 3rd round pick, that might be a viable option -- although I'd prefer to see Ron Brace at that point (unless they somehow got Raji).

Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see him at #18. People were surprised by Jerod Meyo last year -- that was the "surprise pick" of the top 10 -- but WHO walked away with the defensive rookie of the year award?

Very true, while 18 may be a bit high for Barwin, I think if you could get him in the late 20's (via trade) that would be great. He is the type of player who could help right away, either on defense, at tight end, or on special teams. He is a complete stud of an athlete not to mention a great character guy. Watching video of him you can see his playmaking ability and "endless motor", he would be a great guy to put alongside Elvis and DJ.

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/04/man-crush-list-defense.html

[Max Power]

1. BJ Raji
2. Aaron Curry
3. Matt Stafford
4. Mark Sanchez
5. Brian Orakpo
6. Michael Crabtree
7. Tyson Jackson
8. Malcolm Jenkins
9. Everette Brown
10. Aaron Maybin
11. Brian Cushing
12. Rey Maualuga
13. Clay Matthews
14. Jeremy Maclin
15. Vontae Davis
16. Darius Butler
17. Donald Brown
18. Chris Wells

[lottaphil]

1. DT BJ Raji
2. LB Aaron Curry
3. QB Matthew Stafford
4. DE/OLB Everette Brown
5. QB Mark Sanchez
6. DE/OLB Brian Orakpo
7. CB Malcolm Jenkins (notice I said CB, and that's where he'll stay)
8. WR Michael Crabtree
9. DE/OLB Aaron Maybin
10.RB Knowshon Moreno
11. DE Tyson Jackson
12. LB Rey Maualuga
13. WR Jeremy Maclin
14. RB Chris Wells
15. DE/OLB Robert Ayers
16. DE/OLB Larry English
17. CB Vontae Davis
18. DE Evander Hood

[AC1]

We pick 12 and 18th. Lets see everyone's personal, denver broncos only, big boards. I want to see your Top 18. If you don't think a position or prospect is a fit for our team, leave him out.



*MY* Broncos Big Board (Top 18)

1. DT BJ Raji
2. RB Knowshon Moreno
3. CB Malcolm Jenkins
4. DE Tyson Jackson
5. LB Aaron Curry
6. DE/LB Brian Orakpo
7. DE/LB Robert Ayers
8. QB Matt Stafford
9. QB Mark Sanchez
10. RB Chris Wells
11. DE/LB Everette Brown
12. DE/LB Larry English
13. LB Brian Cushing
14. LB Rey Maualuga
15. CB Sean Smith
16. CB Vontae Davis
17. TE Brandon Pettigrew
18. OC Alex Mack



I left out WRs because I just don't feel we need one. Personal opinion. I also don't feel we need LBs either, so they took a back seat to a degree as well, especially the ILBs.


Lets see your Top 18 Broncos Board....

Great thread, MUG! Here's my top 18 (Edited with reasons)

1. BJ Raji - Great talent at position of dire need
2. Brian Orakpo - Potentially elite pass-rusher
3. Tyson Jackson - Solid starter that ought to help run-defense
4. Malcolm Jenkins - Positional versatility is handy on a hybrid defense
5. Everette Brown - Great promise as a pass-rusher
6. Aaron Curry - Elite talent at position of moderate need and value
7. Knowshon Moreno - Should do wonders in our system and keep our rebuilding D off the field
8. Chris Wells - I think he too can be elite in our ZBS
9. Aaron Maybin - Very young and lots of questions, but pass-rushing talent comes at a premium
10. Larry English - I think he is the safest of the pass-rushing conversion types; less upside IMO
11. Mark Sanchez - Need a QB if we are to go anywhere in the playoffs
12. Matt Stafford - ditto; Sanchez supposedly fits the spread offense better
13. Sean Smith - high upside; safety is a bigger need than is being discussed
14. Evander Hood - 4-3 DT or 3-4 DE; strong, quick and good motor
15. Ron Brace - value inflated for 3-4 teams; could go late first-round
16. Louis Delmas - Again, I think we badly need a coverage safety
17. Rey Maualuga - Best 3-4 ILB available after elite talent at other D positions has been exhausted
18. Brian Cushing (if he can play OLB, he goes in between English and Sanchez) - Ditto

Like you, I've de-emphasized the ILB position. I've also ignored every offensive position except RB and QB.

The two guys who might be higher up on my board than on that of most others are Sean Smith and Evander Hood. I think they both have huge upside and are scheme-diverse (I think Hood will make a good 3-4 DE). I have them at 13 and 14 simply because they ought to be available at our #18 pick and we don't need to use the #12 pick on either of them.

[Alaskajoe]

1. Bj raji- dt
2. Brian orakpo-de/olb
3. Aaron curry-ilb/olb
4. Tyson jackson- de
5. Knowshon moreno- rb
6. Michael crabtree- wr
7. Malcolm jenkins- cb/fs
8. Robert ayers- de/olb
9. Peria jerry- nt/de
10. Evander hood- dt/de
11. Vontae davis- cb
12. Rey maualuga- ilb
13. Alphonso smith- cb
14. Clint sintim- de/olb
15. Louis delmas- s
16. Brandon pettigrew- te
17. Everette brown- de/olb
18. Beanie wells- rb