Broncos Targeting Adam Carriker!

[Cugel]

Well, this IS interesting. The Post reports that the Broncos are targeting Adam Carriker with their #1 pick. Their backup pick is reportedly DE Anthony Spencer of Purdue. LINK

49ers could dictate Denver pick

It appears the 49ers are looking at Nebraska defensive end Adam Carriker for their top pick. That will interest Denver, which is studying the lineman known for his pass-rushing skills and high motor. If Carriker is gone, Denver, which has the No. 21 pick, could zone in on Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer, a pass rusher on the rise.

It will be interesting to see if Mississippi inside linebacker Patrick Willis lasts until the 49ers' pick at No. 11. If so, they likely will take him. Detroit also is interested in trading down from No. 2 and taking Willis.

This tells us a number of things. First, it tends to confirm the mocks I've seen with the 49ers taking Carriker. As of now, the Broncos would need to trade up to #10 to be sure of Carriker, which could explain their interest in the Redskins #6 pick (although at #6 they could also consider either Gaines Adams or Jamaal Anderson or Okoye too).

More importantly, this is the first real indication I've seen that Denver is targeting a DL with their #1 pick. That would explain Shanahan's attempts to get extra picks he could use to move up the draft board into the top 10. He would be looking to draft one of the top three or four DL: Anderson, Adams, Carriker or Okoye, none of whom would probably be available at #12.

It also appears more likely that Denver will take a DE in the first than a DT (either Okoye if the Broncos managed to get into the top 10) or Alan Branch who has reportedly been slipping down the boards and could conceivably be available at #21 (although I doubt it). After all Denver tried to sign Patrick Kerney and now has been reportedly looking at Carriker. I'd say their interest in a DE is serious at this point.

Patrick Willis has been rising up the boards and is now considered the best LB in the draft. It'll be interesting to see where he goes. Last year A.J. Hawk went at #5. In 2005 DeMarcus Ware went #11, just ahead of Merriman. So, it's about a 50-50 chance that a player like Willis would be taken in the top 10.

But, I am encouraged to see that Shanahan is possibly serious about getting some DL help this draft! :wave:

[muse]

So this in all likelihood means we won't be going after Adam which sucks a bit.

[pipes]

Well, this IS interesting. The Post reports that the Broncos are targeting Adam Carriker with their #1 pick. Their backup pick is reportedly DE Anthony Spencer of Perdue. LINK



This tells us a number of things. First, it tends to confirm the mocks I've seen with the 49ers taking Carriker. As of now, the Broncos would need to trade up to #10 to be sure of Carriker, which could explain their interest in the Redskins #6 pick (although at #6 they could also consider either Gaines Adams or Jamaal Anderson or Okoye too).

More importantly, this is the first real indication I've seen that Denver is targeting a DL with their #1 pick. That would explain Shanahan's attempts to get extra picks he could use to move up the draft board into the top 10. He would be looking to draft one of the top three or four DL: Anderson, Adams, Carriker or Okoye, none of whom would probably be available at #12.

Patrick Willis has been rising up the boards and is now considered the best LB in the draft. It'll be interesting to see where he goes. Last year A.J. Hawk went at #5. In 2005 DeMarcus Ware went #11, just ahead of Merriman. So, it's about a 50-50 chance that a player like Willis would be taken in the top 10.

But, I am encouraged to see that Shanahan is possibly serious about getting some DL help this draft! :wave:

Last year Shanny "was rumored" to really like TE Vernon Davis and tried moving up to get him (I'm personally glad they got Cutler) but the 49ers took him.

Then, the 49ers knocked Denver out of the playoffs.

Now, the 49ers might take Carriker, who Denver is "rumored" to be targeting.

-Add all of this together and I'm really starting to loathe that franchise!

ps....good post!

[BroncoRT]

Well, this IS interesting. The Post reports that the Broncos are targeting Adam Carriker with their #1 pick. Their backup pick is reportedly DE Anthony Spencer of Perdue. LINK



This tells us a number of things. First, it tends to confirm the mocks I've seen with the 49ers taking Carriker. As of now, the Broncos would need to trade up to #10 to be sure of Carriker, which could explain their interest in the Redskins #6 pick (although at #6 they could also consider either Gaines Adams or Jamaal Anderson or Okoye too).

More importantly, this is the first real indication I've seen that Denver is targeting a DL with their #1 pick. That would explain Shanahan's attempts to get extra picks he could use to move up the draft board into the top 10. He would be looking to draft one of the top three or four DL: Anderson, Adams, Carriker or Okoye, none of whom would probably be available at #12.

It also appears more likely that Denver will take a DE in the first than a DT (either Okoye if the Broncos managed to get into the top 10) or Alan Branch who has reportedly been slipping down the boards and could conceivably be available at #21 (although I doubt it). After all Denver tried to sign Patrick Kerney and now has been reportedly looking at Carriker. I'd say their interest in a DE is serious at this point.

Patrick Willis has been rising up the boards and is now considered the best LB in the draft. It'll be interesting to see where he goes. Last year A.J. Hawk went at #5. In 2005 DeMarcus Ware went #11, just ahead of Merriman. So, it's about a 50-50 chance that a player like Willis would be taken in the top 10.

But, I am encouraged to see that Shanahan is possibly serious about getting some DL help this draft! :wave:

Two words... Smoke Screen.

[DenverBuckeye]

Thanks for the update. You made some great points in pointing some things out. I however also believe this means little about who we may draft. There are so many rumors going around out there because this is such a hectic time and teams are targeting players and trieing to figure out who others in front might draft so they can get a player they want. So when someone says one thing it becomes news and then a rumor and has people believeing something that isn't true.

I do believe if we don't trade up that we will get the best d-linemen available at our pick be it Spencer Moss or Branch.

[Dream]

I'm not buying it. Last year it was Chad Jackson, this year it's Adam Carriker, watch us wind up with Ben Grubbs.

I do not doubt that Adam Carriker is a target of ours, but the hole within this statement is that if San Francisco likes Carriker that much, why are they going to trade down 21 spots, miss out on every other good player for their team, and miss out on a lock-down 3-4 end.

They're not going to.

Denver has to move PAST them, not trade with them to move up. If they like him that much, Denver would have to give them one hell of an offer they couldn't refuse.

Please, no to Carriker. He's grossly overrated by everyone on the boards, and now that he timed well, he's the cat's meow. Better as a 3-4 fit, and I've been saying that all along. Please, NO. He's a good prospect in his own right, but not worth giving multiple picks over. NOOOOOOOOOO.

[Cugel]

Two words... Smoke Screen.

Not at all! Normally, you'd be right, but not here!

Drafting in the top 10 is NOT at all like drafting out of the top 10. In the top 10 every team interviews every player and talks to every other team about trades, because virtually all the teams are targeting the same players. There is a general consensus on who the top 10-12 players are. A certain player might fall a bit because the top 10 teams don't need that particular position, but over all the top talent at QB, RB, DE, DT, OT, or WR get taken in the top 10. An elite player from S, CB or LB might slip into the mix as well, but generally the top 10 players are all well known.

It's virtually impossible to fool the other teams about who you might be targeting by moving into the top 10. If Denver moves up everybody in the league will know they are targeting a DL and there are only 4 guys they might possibly consider: Gaines Adams, Adam Carriker, Jamaal Anderson and Okoye, not necessarily in that order. Who they might take would depend on who was available whenever they picked.

So, if Denver managed a to pull off a trade with the Falcons for their #8 pick and moved up on draft day, all the other GMs would inmmediately know "Shanahan is moving up for Carriker." They will know who's on the board and they know the Broncos draft needs and they would instantly know without having to be told exactly what is happening. (This hypothetical assumes that the other top DL are off the board). Sure, surprises happen, but not so much in the top 10 as elsewhere in the draft, because there is general consensus on who the top 10 players are (maybe 12 or 13 of them).

But, since Carriker will be off the board by #11 it doesn't matter much if other teams know the Broncos are interested in him. They are interested in him too. IF for some reason Carriker slid past the 49ers then a bunch of other teams between 11 and 21 would step in and take him because he'd be the "best player available."

See how that works? If a player who is a consensus top 10 talent starts to slide down the board because teams unexpectedly take other players, then the teams that would target him, but thought he would be gone by the time they picked suddenly get interested. Furthermore, a team that wouldn't necessarily want a DE with their pick would have to consider taking him because he's the best player available and a value at that point in the draft.

Just as, if Calvin Johson somehow falls to #4 or #5, the Bucs and and Cardinals would at least have to consider taking him or else trading their pick to another team that wanted him in order to maximize the value of their draft position.

[Broncosinindy]

i aggree cariker might be best suited for the 3-4 but i dont see how you can call him over rated he had some great numbers at the combine and proday.. and was a very productive college player..hes got a great attitude motor and will do what he is asked for the betterment of the team. This would be a big slip up if denver let it be known they are targeting. we know shanahan dont let out who he wants. so i have to aggree with broncos rt this is a smoke and mirrors thing. if not i would welcome adam

[GoBroncos84]

I'm not buying it. Last year it was Chad Jackson, this year it's Adam Carriker, watch us wind up with Ben Grubbs.

I do not doubt that Adam Carriker is a target of ours, but the hole within this statement is that if San Francisco likes Carriker that much, why are they going to trade down 21 spots, miss out on every other good player for their team, and miss out on a lock-down 3-4 end.

They're not going to.

Denver has to move PAST them, not trade with them to move up. If they like him that much, Denver would have to give them one hell of an offer they couldn't refuse.

Please, no to Carriker. He's grossly overrated by everyone on the boards, and now that he timed well, he's the cat's meow. Better as a 3-4 fit, and I've been saying that all along. Please, NO. He's a good prospect in his own right, but not worth giving multiple picks over. NOOOOOOOOOO.

If he somehow falls to 21, I would hope that we pick him. If the 49ers snag Willis, and other teams pass on Adam its possible though not likely he lasts. I know he is an ideal 3-4 end, but I think he can 4-3 end and even move inside on pash rushing downs if need be. We went after a high motor end this offseason and lost the bidding war. Getting Carriker, a younger and more athletic end than Kerney with that same crazy motor and less money than we would have paid to Kerney, would be ideal IMO.

[dogfish]

Please, no to Carriker. He's grossly overrated by everyone on the boards, and now that he timed well, he's the cat's meow. Better as a 3-4 fit, and I've been saying that all along. Please, NO. He's a good prospect in his own right, but not worth giving multiple picks over. NOOOOOOOOOO.

hah. . . he's like trevor pryce with a non-stop motor-- he's going to be a great pro. . . .

[silkamilkamonic]

Please draft Carriker, SF, please.

He's a better DE for a 3-4 anyways, IMHO.

[Cugel]

I'm not buying it. Last year it was Chad Jackson, this year it's Adam Carriker, watch us wind up with Ben Grubbs.

I do not doubt that Adam Carriker is a target of ours, but the hole within this statement is that if San Francisco likes Carriker that much, why are they going to trade down 21 spots, miss out on every other good player for their team, and miss out on a lock-down 3-4 end.

They're not going to.

Denver has to move PAST them, not trade with them to move up. If they like him that much, Denver would have to give them one hell of an offer they couldn't refuse.

Please, no to Carriker. He's grossly overrated by everyone on the boards, and now that he timed well, he's the cat's meow. Better as a 3-4 fit, and I've been saying that all along. Please, NO. He's a good prospect in his own right, but not worth giving multiple picks over. NOOOOOOOOOO.

Obviously, the Broncos would have to trade up to at least #10 and get in front of the 49ers. Alternatively, they could take Willis, which would mean that Carriker was still on the board at #12, so they could conceivably make a trade with Buffalo and wind up getting him.

Last year, Denver talked to every team in the top 10 without any success at all. NONE would discuss trading their pick. Shanahan said "obviously we couldn't talk to San Francisco about trading up to grab their guy" (meaning Vernon Davis). It's the same thing this year. Obviously, if Denver is targeting Carriker, they can't discuss a trade with the '49ers! "Give us your pick so we can take your guy" just isn't going to work!

That means Denver would probably be better off either trading up to #6 or so and having a choice of three of the top 4 DL (Gaines Adams might already be off the board at #5 or possibly Jamaal Anderson).

My guess is that they won't be able to trade up at all and will have to settle for either Charles Johnson or Anthony Spencer. Moss might be a better option from what people are saying about him, but apparently he'll be off the board to Pittsburgh by #16.

[JoRo]

Obviously, the Broncos would have to trade up to at least #10 and get in front of the 49ers. Alternatively, they could take Willis, which would mean that Carriker was still on the board at #12, so they could conceivably make a trade with Buffalo and wind up getting him.

Last year, Denver talked to every team in the top 10 without any success at all. NONE would discuss trading their pick. Shanahan said "obviously we couldn't talk to San Francisco about trading up to grab their guy" (meaning Vernon Davis). It's the same thing this year. Obviously, if Denver is targeting Carriker, they can't discuss a trade with the '49ers! "Give us your pick so we can take your guy" just isn't going to work!

That means Denver would probably be better off either trading up to #6 or so and having a choice of three of the top 4 DL (Gaines Adams might already be off the board at #5 or possibly Jamaal Anderson).

My guess is that they won't be able to trade up at all and will have to settle for either Charles Johnson or Anthony Spencer. Moss might be a better option from what people are saying about him, but apparently he'll be off the board to Pittsburgh by #16.

I would really hope we dont take Johnson as honestly I do not think he will be much better than Moses or any of them would be in the second or even third round.

[WABronco]

Carriker is not the pass rusher we need.

[JoRo]

Carriker is not the pass rusher we need.

I would not mind Carriker if we could somehow get him at a good spot in round 1 but I would really hope we don't move up to get him. If we move up I hope we somehow get Adams, even though he is likely gone in the top 5