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Secondary will be Broncos' first focus in 2012 draft
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 10/29/2011 01:00:00 AM MDT
Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick, right (AP file photo)
Today's question comes from James Woods in Penn Valley, Calif.:
Q: The 2012 NFL draft prognosticators are guessing that Denver will select a cornerback in the first round (Dre Kirkpatrick) and defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu in the second round. I am hopeful Denver will instead consider a power blocking guard such as Kelechi Osemele in the first round. For many reasons, I think this approach would greatly change the way opponents line up on defense against Denver. I know it's early to be asking this kind of question, but I am curious how do you see the larger picture?
A: James, you'll hear Kirkpatrick's name a lot before the draft. He's likely the top cornerback on the board for most teams, given his size, athleticism, competitiveness and the fact he has played in Nick Saban's defense.
NFL people like Saban's players because Alabama does so many things in coverage that NFL teams do, and those players come into the league ready to go. Saban's practice approach is also cited by his former players as having prepared them for their professional careers.
If Kirkpatrick runs well in predraft workouts and gets into the 4.3s in his 40, he could certainly be a top-five to top-eight pick. He's already top-10 for many teams at this early stage, so the Broncos will have to finish with one of the worst records in the league to have a shot at him.
The Broncos have three starting defensive backs who are over 30 years old, including both cornerbacks, so the position will get a long look with one of their first three picks.
LSU's Morris Claiborne is a cornerback who could end up being a top-20 pick if he runs well leading up to the draft.
In the first round, guard is not traditionally considered a "value" position by most personnel evaluators, especially in the upper half of the first round. That draft real estate for offensive linemen is usually occupied by tackles.
The Broncos have used a first-round pick on a guard only three times in the franchise's history — 1976 (Tom Glassic), 1977 (Steve Schindler) and 1983 (Chris Hinton). Hinton then ended up being part of the biggest trade in the franchise's history as part of the deal to obtain the rights to John Elway from the Baltimore Colts.
The Broncos couldn't fix everything in one draft last April, so they addressed other needs on defense — edge rusher, linebacker and safety — and then used free agency to find a defensive tackle or two.
The strategy worked fine in getting Von Miller,who has six sacks in six games,with their first pick to go with rookie safeties Quintin Carter and Rahim Moore,and have each started games.But the interier of the defensive line remains a need,the biggest need on the roster.
Brodrick Bunkley was a quality pickup in free agency and he has played well,but the broncos don't have much depth and haven't had much impact at the position behind Bunkley.
The Broncos will have to look there again in April,with wide receiver with Eddie Royal looking at free agency and Demaryius Thomas having battled a variety of injuries in his short career.
Everyone will also get to see what they think of their offensive line as a group.John Fox and John Elway want physical players up front,and right tackle Orlando Franklin is the only offensive linemen acquired in Elway's tenure as the teams top executive of footballs operation.
MOORE 26 & MILLER 58
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