First round OL need?

[BroncoManiac99]

I'm noticing a frequency of people who believe that OL needs to be addressed in the first round. Who else thinks this is ridiculous? The OL has been stellar this year, why not draft a high impact position player on the defense, or another weapon for peyton?

[samparnell]

Clady needs to be re-signed or franchised. Two OL will be returning from IR. Kuper had an injury plagued year.

I think the Broncos will find players they like in each round/range and do some form of bpa. In the past two drafts, they have selected players they feel have a chance to make the team. Almost all of the 2011/12 draftees are still with the Broncos in one capacity or another.

OL is in good shape, but not as deep as Backer or DE depending on re-signings. RB and Receiver seem like positions that could be addressed although there are two RBs on IR and one on PS. Then there is the annual DT lobby.

[InsaneBlaze23]

If Taylor Lewan is on the board in the 2nd, I say take him. But no to drafting OL in the first.

[beastlyskronk]

Because C and RG have big question marks for the future. Kuper isn't getting any younger and he's been banged up recently. Man Ram hasn't been very good in his absence. Koppen is good but again he isn't getting any younger, and JD Walton really hasn't performed that well either.

[Gsam]

I agree with drafting a lineman who can play C or G for the future and to add depth. I don't think its a 1st round need though unless someone stupid talent falls to us.

[primetime714]

The way the draft is shaping up it may be the best route at the end of the first round. The Broncos certainly could use an impact DT or MLB, but will there be good value still available at their pick? At this point its looking like no. The first four DT's will likely be off the board by the Broncos pick leaving them with some more questionable options there. At MLB Te'o will be long gone and Ogletree and Mosley could be gone too (Plus both of them are potentially better suited for WLB). If that's the case the Broncos are essentially looking to take BPA or trade down. While not a first round need an OL could be the best player on the board. I think Safety is another possibility and could even see them going with a RB like Gio Bernard.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

Because C and RG have big question,, marks for the future. Kuper isn't getting any younger and he's been banged up recently. Man Ram hasn't been very good in his absence. Koppen is good but again he isn't getting any younger, and JD Walton really hasn't performed that well either.

Dude, I'm pretty sure Kuper is only 28.

[JayJack]

Personally, i'm all for drafting a OL in the 1st rd. It's no secret how I feel about the Line. I believe the Center and Guard spots can be upgraded. Koppen has done well for us, but how much longer can he play at this level? Will Elway open up the checkbook a little bit to keep him? Because I can see Green Bay signing Koppen and using their 1st rd pick on a TE.

Kuper can't stay healthy for nothing in the world. He's due to make in 2013 $4.5mil, 2014 $5mil, 2015 $5.5mil. With Kuper being bit the the "injury bug" and the upcoming contract extensions, I don't think it's far fecthed that Kuper may be shopped around.

Beadles and Walton, although i'll admit that they have improved some, they will be UFAs at the end of the 2013 season. I don't think that they a "priority re-signings". Priority is re-signing Clady!

Word has it, the Broncos were targeting OC/OG David DeCastro in the 1st rd last year, but the Steelers drafted him right before our pick. If the Broncos still believe one of those positions needs to be upgraded, I wouldn't be surprised if we strongly consider drafting a O-Lineman in the 1st, no later than the 2nd.

[Br0nc0Buster]

OL isnt a NEED, but it could use an upgrade or two along with depth
Koppen has been decent, and Beadles has improved
But I think both are limited at this point, and I would not be opposed if we added a top flight G/C in the draft

Not Barret Jones though, not a big fan of him as an NFL player

We do need depth though

[beastlyskronk]

Dude, I'm pretty sure Kuper is only 28.

He's 29 and turns 30 in 6 days. I'm not saying he won't finish out his contract but someone should be drafted to eventually replace him and provide good depth.

Barrett Jones is a player many like just because he can play all 3 interior line spots and quite well at that so there's potential for immediate contribution. Long term, I think with his intelligence he'd be the perfect center to usher in Brock Osweiler when Manning retires so Jones would be a huge boost in terms of helping Osweiler setting protections.

[samparnell]

Dude, I'm pretty sure Kuper is only 28.

29 actually.

He's just entering prime time for an O-Lineman.

[CanDB]

It would be great to stack our oline with a first rounder, but I don't want to go that route. If Kuper is healthy, we're pretty solid. Walton and Blake should be available, and FA is not out of the question. But sure, maybe a 3rd rounder if there are any doubts about Koppen and Kuper.

My vote has been MLB for some time....in round one. A DT is a possibility in round two, but we may be wise to consider a running back in two or three.

[samparnell]

The Broncos have proven they know how to find good, quality football players in each round of the draft. They know what they have, who needs to be re-signed, and what the greatest areas of need are. They have a clue as to who can be coached to play up to the standard of a starter and who probably can't. I always look forward to free agency and the draft because what the Broncos do tells me a lot about what they think about their team.

[NDGuy521]

I don't think drafting an OL in the 1st is a terrible idea, I just think there are different positions we need more at that point. Safety, ILB, and of course DT. By the 32nd pick, lol; Te'o, Ogletree, Vaccaro, and all top DT's are gone. If Minter is available there, I say take him. But my recent thought is Elam, he's always around the ball, great up by the line, he's a playmaker, we need that from our SS position. Adams is fine, but he's not electric, Elam would bolster our secondary. I argue that we need OL depth, not necessarily a change of starters, Kuper is still top notch when he is healthy. Walton was playing really well when he got injured, and we still have Blake. I think a 3rd or 4th rounder would be good, there is good DL and OL depth. Here's my top 4 rounds.

1. Matt Elam SS Florida. Tough, physical, good leader.

2. Trade down from 30th pick and receive in the vacinity of 11th pick in 3rd AND 4th round.

3a. Markus Wheaton WR Oregon St. Fast, reliable hands, good body control, class athlete on and off the field. Gives us a good slot prospect which we will not have after Stokley is gone.

3b. Mike Gillislee RB Florida. Works hard, soft hands, keeps feet moving, good in pass protection, good character. McGahee is getting older and fumbles are killing us, Moreno has never been a lead back with his injuries, Hillman is a change of pace back.

4a. Everett Dawkins DT Florida St. On the smaller side but plays with leverage. Great teammate, doesn't get a lot of stats, but he does his job to keep LBs free. Can collapse the pocket, and plug running lanes. Great athlete, great value here and an immediate player to plug into the DL rotation.

4b. Braden Hansen OG BYU. Not the most gifted athlete, but plays smart. Would make for good OL depth.

I think this gives us good value at every spot with athletes ready to contribute early and often. Comments please

[THEdraftnik]

Draft an OL for the future my dear.