New D-Line -- Free Agency or Draft?

[SmokeBassett]

It's clear to me that as far as defense is concerned, the Broncos' first priority should be upgrading the D-Line. Peterson, Fields and McBean are quality backups, not top-flight starters. We need a bigger nose tackle than the 315-lb Fields, and we need DEs who are better at pressuring the quarterback than Peterson and McBean. The question is, Where do we get them -- free agency or the draft? Who would you pick?

Free Agent Nose Tackles:
Vince Wilfork, New England, current salary: < $1M.
Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh, current salary: > $4M.

Nose Tackles in the draft:
Terence Cody, Alabama, late 1st round
Dan Williams, 2nd round
Cam Thomas, 2-4th
Kade Weston, 2-4th
Torrell Troup, 3-6th

Free Agent DEs:
Richard Seymour, Oakland, current salary < $1M.
Johnny Jolly, Green Bay, current salary > $1M.

3-4 DEs in the draft:
Jared Odrick, mid- to late-1st round
Corey Peters, 3-6th
Brandon Deaderick, ?
Alex Carrington, ?

For myself, I'd like the Broncos to go after the free agents. They're not going to cost much more than a 1st-round draft pick, and they have proven themselves. I would like to see a starting front three of Jolly, Wilfork and Seymour. I wouldn't mind the rookie Odrick at one of the end positions. But I don't think the nose tackles in this draft represent an immediate improvement over Fields.

[OKBroncoBoy]

I would like to see a starting front three of Jolly, Wilfork and Seymour. I wouldn't mind the rookie Odrick at one of the end positions. But I don't think the nose tackles in this draft represent an immediate improvement over Fields.

I would like to see that too, but how are you going to sign the rest of our remaining free agents and then turn around and throw tens of millions at Jolly, Wilfork and Seymour? Not to mention that none of them may be available...

[owninit]

Personally i believe, that with all of the beef we have there could be a solid rotation of DT type guys if one LARGE member could be added to man the middle.

[15thebeast]

We have our Nose Tackle for the future in Chris Baker he is big enough at 6'2 325 and he is also a good pass rusher if given the chance.

[SmokeBassett]

I would like to see that too, but how are you going to sign the rest of our remaining free agents and then turn around and throw tens of millions at Jolly, Wilfork and Seymour? Not to mention that none of them may be available...

Well, I may not be too clear on NFL compensation, but according to this site: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/den/roster , we can cut about $20 million in salaries from our current payroll by trading and releasing a number of seldom-used players.

I'm also not an expert on NFL free agency, but that $20 million would seem to cover the free agent salaries of Wilfork/Hampton and Seymour/Jolly. Wilfork is currently making less than $1M, Hampton over $4M, Seymour less than $1M, Jolly just over $2M.

[draco193]

Why is New England trading up to the #11 spot?

And as to your above post, while those players are currently making that much, they will all be getting some significant pay raises on the free agent market. We might be able to afford signing one of them, but not three huge name line talents.

[SmokeBassett]

We have our Nose Tackle for the future in Chris Baker he is big enough at 6'2 325 and he is also a good pass rusher if given the chance.

If he truly is the future, the question is, How distant a future? His college experience is limited to 1 year at Hampton and 1 year at Penn State. He wasn't good enough to play much this year. How long will it take him to develop into a good starting NT? I would rather the Broncos try to get Wilfork or Hampton, then cut Fields, and let Baker develop behind one of the top nose tackles in the league. Reason being, I would like the Broncos to be as good as possible going into next season.

[SmokeBassett]

Why is New England trading up to the #11 spot?

They could use a top ILB like McClain and, if they lose Wilfork, another nose tackle like Cody or Williams.

And as to your above post, while those players are currently making that much, they will all be getting some significant pay raises on the free agent market. We might be able to afford signing one of them, but not three huge name line talents.

I think we could at least afford to pay Wilfork $1-2M more than he's currently getting, and Jolly or Seymour $1M more than they're getting. Remember, we can free up $20M by cutting and trading some seldom-used players.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

I'm actually really liking the idea of moving Chris Baker to DE in place of Peterson and then drafting someone like Dan Williams to rotate with Fields. I think Baker would provide the pass rush that we really need from the DE position.

[SmokeBassett]

Personally i believe, that with all of the beef we have there could be a solid rotation of DT type guys if one LARGE member could be added to man the middle.

A three-armed nose tackle would be formidable.

[coloradomedic]

Wilfork and Seymour will both be franchized. They will cost a minumum of a first round pick each, and probably more. Getting one may be possible if we're willing to part with the 10/11th pick in the draft. Thinking that we're going to get both is a pipe dream.

[Hoserman117]

I think hoping to acquire Seymour, Wilfork/Hampton, and Jolly is completely unrealistic.

I'd rather us get a decent 3-4 DE like Jarvis Green in FA, draft DE/DT Arthur Jones in the 2nd round to backup for this season, and stick with Ron Fields to groom Chris Baker as our future NT.

2 years down the road a combo of a more experienced Ryan McBean, Chris Baker, and Arthur Jones could actually be a very good starting line.

[samparnell]

Who mentioned ...

A three-armed nose tackle would be formidable.

... arms ?

[KWHIT97]

I think a better route would be to look at Free Agent NT's like Aubrayo Franklin and Ryan Pickett. I like the thought of Jolly, I think Seymour will be way too expensive, especially if there is no cap, teams like Washington and Dallas will throw 15-20 million a year at him for a short term solution. Marcus Spears could be a nice option at DE, or Jarvis Green.

If we add one of the top Free Agent DL and spend a 1st or 2nd round pick on one, I think our d-line issues are resolved, the key is picking the right ones. Me personally I like the thought of signing Aubrayo Franklin and drafting a Jared Odrick from Penn St. or Arthur Jones from Syracuse!

[broncofansd]

I think that McDaniels will try to sign 1 Quality Defensive Lineman and Offensive Lineman in Free Agency.


Players like


Eugene Amano - Guard - Tennesee - would be nice addition


Johnny Jolly - DE - Green Bay


And then also draft a player in the draft.


Mike Iupati / Maurkice Pouncey / Vladimir Duccasse



Dan Williams / Jared Odrick / Terrance Cody


McDaniels has proven that he loves VETERAN PLAYERS - So look for him to bring in atleast 2 Quality Lineman this year