THEdraftnik's Denver Draft #3

[THEdraftnik]

Signings:
OT Ryan Clady, franchise tag... it's easy to not allow a sack when Manning gets the ball out in 2 seconds.
DT Kevin Vickerson, 3 years 3.5 million... Vick has been very good and keeps getting better each season.
DT Terrance Knighton, 1 year 1.5 million... 1 year, prove your worth contract. TK has experience with JDR and has huge upside and with this kind of contract, very little risk.
C Dan Koppen, 1 year 1 million... Outplayed Walton so far and at worse is great depth.
WR Brandon Stokely, vet minimum... playing great this year
S David Bruton, vet minimum... great special teamer
P Britton Colquitt, RFA tender... fantastic punter
CB Tony Carter, RFA tender... looks to have huge potential, if only he was huge

Joe Mays traded to Colts for a 6th round pick, Colts had interest in the offseason and Mays would help them transition to a 3-4 in a defense where his weaknesses are hidden.
DJ cut.

1st Round DT Sheldon Richardson, Mizzou
DT for once is not the biggest need for the Broncos, but Richardson just happens to be the best available player on the board for the Broncos. Richardson at 6'3 295 pounds as the frame to add weight and will likely do so in the NFL. Richardson is extremeley athletic, he ran a 4.72 as a highschool senior... at 290 pounds. Richardson has an excellent motor and has chased down guys 20 yards down the field. He is always around the ball. Richardson could immediately come in and start at UT, moving Vickerson to NT to compete with Terrance Knighton. He is very versatile with the athleticism to come off the edge, strength to play nose tackle, and yes he has even played linebacker for Mizzou.

2nd Round ILB Michael Mauti, Penn State
I've been a big critic of Mauti so far, but I can't deny the kid's talent, I can't deny his heart. This kid is going to be successful where ever he goes. He has great character, and at the end of the day I don't want him playing for anybody else. Mauti is good in coverage, he is good in run support, he is good blitzing. At 6'1 230 pounds he is a tad small, and I would like for him to gain 10 pounds and he very easily can. Mauti is an emotional leader, and he makes big plays when big plays are needed.

3rd Round OT Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin
Wagner could have been a 1st round pick with a big season, but with a new underachieving offense and an OL coach being fired after 2 weeks. Wagner needs some technique refinement, but has experience at both tackle spots and with uncertainty with Clady returning Wagner is an excellent swing tackle candidate. Wagner is an excellent run blocker and has very good strength and size.

TRADE (4th and 6th round for Team X's 3rd Round)
3rd Round RB Montee Ball, Wisconsin
We trade up to pick up Montee Ball at the end of the 3rd, our FO hasn't been afraid to trade up before for a player they like and with Montee there is a lot for John Fox to like. Montee is a touchdown machine, he can do it all, he doesn't fumble, and he provides a physical presence to Hillman's speed.

5th Round WR Connor Vernon, Duke
Vernon is a shifty, strong, slot receiver who already has some chemistry with Manning catching passes from him in the offseason. Vernon is very similar to receivers like Brandon Stokely, and Julian Edelman, and would bring a dangerous and smart receiver to our offense. He has great hands and solid size at 6'1 200 pounds.

7th Round QB Sean Renfree, Duke
This is the second doubling up of players from the same school, Renfree has very good size and athleticism for the QB position. He stands tall in the pocket. He throws an accurate pass. He has high character. I noticed Renfree when he orchestrated a comeback against North Carolina in which he drove 83 yards down the field to score a touchdown and win the game. The 6'3 225 pound signal caller is an excellent developmental option in that he has all the tools to be a starting QB.

Thoughts?

[THEdraftnik]

Depth Chart

QB Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler, Sean Renfree
RB Willis McGahee, Ronnie Hillman/Montee Ball
WR Demaryius Thomas, Connor Vernon
WR Eric Decker, Andre Caldwell
WR Brandon Stokely, Connor Vernon
TE Jacob Tamme/Joel Dreeson, Virgil Green
LT Ryan Clady, Ricky Wagner
LG Zane Beadles, Phillip Blake
C Dan Koppen, JD Walton
RG Chris Kuper, Phillip Blake
RT Orlando Franklin, Ricky Wagner

SDE Derek Wolfe, Jason Hunter, Malik Jackson
NT Kevin Vickerson/Terrance Knighton
UT Sheldon Richardson/Derek Wolfe, Mitch Unrein
WDE Elvis Dumervil, Robert Ayers
SLB Von Miller, Stephen Johnson
MLB Nate Irving, Michael Mauti
WLB Wesley Woodyard, Danny Trevathan
CB Champ Bailey, Tony Carter
FS Rahim Moore, Mike Adams
SS Quinton Carter/Mike Adams, David Bruton
CB Chris Harris, Omar Bolden
NB Chris Harris/Tony Carter

K Matt Prater
P Britton Colquitt
KR Trindon Holiday

[HDbroncos02]

Our mock drafts both have Richardson and Mauti as the first picks. NOTE: I got my mock out first. LOL

[primetime714]

Other than Nate Irving as the starting MLB I don't have any real complaints. I think Mauti or Johnson would start over Irving at MLB as the Broncos seem to like Nate better on the outside. I like Mauti, but I'd be a bit worried about the position in this scenario as we'd be really banking on two young inexperienced guys in Mauti and Johnson with no real safety net. In this scenario I'd probably recommend bringing back Brooking just in case.

[Iron Clady]

It will be interesting to see where Wolfe plays in the long run. If we plan to switch him to a full time 3 tech then Richardson probably isn't a good fit here. I'm also not sure if Richardson has the type of size we're looking for at DT.

However, I would love the pick. He's so tough and athletic. He reminds me of Fletcher Cox who I loved last year. Freak athlete. Tough. Productive. I think he might shoot up draft boards as the draft process goes on. He might blow up the combine.

I like Mauti as a player and person but his injury history really scares me. I guess I'd take him in the late 2nd.

One time when I was watching Wisconsin play I saw Wagner run like 30-40 yards downfield on a run play and make a block. I haven't seen enough of him but that play stood out to me.

Bell is ok. He's powerful but it takes him a while to build up speed. Might be a Brandon Jacobs type player in the NFL.

Like Vernon and Renfree. Vernon is a heady receiver and Renfree would be a project.

[THEdraftnik]

Our mock drafts both have Richardson and Mauti as the first picks. NOTE: I got my mock out first. LOL

I saw that after I posted, great minds think alike? :thumb:

[THEdraftnik]

Other than Nate Irving as the starting MLB I don't have any real complaints. I think Mauti or Johnson would start over Irving at MLB as the Broncos seem to like Nate better on the outside. I like Mauti, but I'd be a bit worried about the position in this scenario as we'd be really banking on two young inexperienced guys in Mauti and Johnson with no real safety net. In this scenario I'd probably recommend bringing back Brooking just in case.

Irving played Mike with the 2s in the preseason, he may be listed as a Sam, but if Brooking were to get injured Irving would likely go in in base sets. I was thinking about bringing back Brooking, but I have no doubt that Irving can be that guy.

[THEdraftnik]

It will be interesting to see where Wolfe plays in the long run. If we plan to switch him to a full time 3 tech then Richardson probably isn't a good fit here. I'm also not sure if Richardson has the type of size we're looking for at DT.

However, I would love the pick. He's so tough and athletic. He reminds me of Fletcher Cox who I loved last year. Freak athlete. Tough. Productive. I think he might shoot up draft boards as the draft process goes on. He might blow up the combine.

I like Mauti as a player and person but his injury history really scares me. I guess I'd take him in the late 2nd.

One time when I was watching Wisconsin play I saw Wagner run like 30-40 yards downfield on a run play and make a block. I haven't seen enough of him but that play stood out to me.

Bell is ok. He's powerful but it takes him a while to build up speed. Might be a Brandon Jacobs type player in the NFL.

Like Vernon and Renfree. Vernon is a heady receiver and Renfree would be a project.

Richardson is similar to Tyson Alualu of Cal in size, and if he can put on weight before the combine I wouldn't even think size is an issue. I also loved Cox last year, and Richardson athleticism really reminds me of him. Lucky for us this year's DT class is deep enough that Richardson could fall to us.

I understand being afraid of Mauti's injury history as I'm the same way... But he's 1 of 2 inside linebackers this draft that have the intangibles and skills required to start year 1 if needed. The other could very well be a top 10 pick.

Wagner had another beautiful play today right after I posted my mock, he had a killer down block and Montee cut back got a 20 yard gain to the 10 yard line before getting gang tackled.

On the play Ball showed excellent vision, and exploded up field. I don't like the Brandon Jacobs comparison, mainly because of Jacobs height. Ball is small enough to get lost in traffic but big enough to truck defenders. I think he's a terrific fit for Fox ball.

[FlowdaBroncoFan]

I saw that after I posted, great minds think alike? :thumb:

I had mine out yesterday with the same picks lol.

[Iron Clady]

Richardson is similar to Tyson Alualu of Cal in size, and if he can put on weight before the combine I wouldn't even think size is an issue. I also loved Cox last year, and Richardson athleticism really reminds me of him. Lucky for us this year's DT class is deep enough that Richardson could fall to us.

I understand being afraid of Mauti's injury history as I'm the same way... But he's 1 of 2 inside linebackers this draft that have the intangibles and skills required to start year 1 if needed. The other could very well be a top 10 pick.

Wagner had another beautiful play today right after I posted my mock, he had a killer down block and Montee cut back got a 20 yard gain to the 10 yard line before getting gang tackled.

On the play Ball showed excellent vision, and exploded up field. I don't like the Brandon Jacobs comparison, mainly because of Jacobs height. Ball is small enough to get lost in traffic but big enough to truck defenders. I think he's a terrific fit for Fox ball.

Wait nevermind. I had a brain fart. I was thinking Le'Veon Bell from MSU for some reason. Yeah Bell and Ball are completely different players. Ball is a smooth, agile runner. I like him. Think he would be a good pick.

[THEdraftnik]

I had mine out yesterday with the same picks lol.

And I thought I was going to be setting trends

[primetime714]

Irving played Mike with the 2s in the preseason, he may be listed as a Sam, but if Brooking were to get injured Irving would likely go in in base sets. I was thinking about bringing back Brooking, but I have no doubt that Irving can be that guy.

I could be wrong, but I remember Johnson playing the middle and Irving on the outside in preseason. I remember that as I felt like Irving and Johnson were two of only a few players that I thought played well in the 2nd team defense. Regardless though I think the fact that the Broncos signed Mays to multi-year deal and are now going with Brooking at MLB tells you what they think about Irving as a potential starter in the middle. LB's usually don't need that much time to develop I think if he was a starting caliber MLB we'd be seeing a bit more of him. And when he's seen the field this year (a whopping 21 defensive snaps) he's played SLB. That's not to say if they needed to they wouldn't put him at MLB I just don't see him as a viable starting option. Its arguably the weakest position on our defense right now and he can't crack the lineup as a 2nd year player that just doesn't bode well for his future at the position.

All things considered though given the lack of options at MLB this year the Broncos could do worse than going with Mauti and Johnson. It'd be risky, but I suppose if they needed to I don't think Brooking will get a lot of calls elsewhere.

[primetime714]

It will be interesting to see where Wolfe plays in the long run. If we plan to switch him to a full time 3 tech then Richardson probably isn't a good fit here. I'm also not sure if Richardson has the type of size we're looking for at DT.

However, I would love the pick. He's so tough and athletic. He reminds me of Fletcher Cox who I loved last year. Freak athlete. Tough. Productive. I think he might shoot up draft boards as the draft process goes on. He might blow up the combine.

I completely agree on Richardson and actually posted a Fletcher Cox comparison in another thread before reading this and think that he definitely could shoot up the draft boards and go before the Broncos pick.

I also think not enough are considering a potential move inside for Wolfe. Wolfe has done a very admirable job at DE and its possible the Broncos keep him in his current role next year. However when drafted I remember the staff saying that they like him at DE and DT this year, but after this year they felt like he could bulk up and move inside permanently. I think that's where he'll be most effective too as most of his pass rushing skills (outside of a bull rush) are negated at DE. If he can handle the run inside that's where he should be as he's a much better interior pass rusher.

[HDbroncos02]

I had mine out yesterday with the same picks lol.

Now we need our FO to think that way too!

[Mosk]

I'm a big fan of Richardson and Ball. I too have them mocked to Denver. Great job, man.